41 Upstate leaders selected to become Riley Fellows

Forty-one leaders from across the Upstate will have new tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina, gained through their participation in the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).

These leaders, who are members of DLI’s 33rd Upstate class, were selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by DLI alumni. They are uniquely positioned to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.

“In a time of significant social strife, leaders must come together to identify ways to unite communities to improve outcomes for all,” said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. “The DLI experience will help them as they lead South Carolina toward a better tomorrow.”

DLI classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Company’s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.

Over five months, the class will engage in intensive discussions and scenario analyses that allow them to openly examine sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion with fellow leaders, explore “blind spots,” and gain tools to develop strategies within their own organizations.

Class members also work together to develop capstone projects, partnering with nonprofit organizations to respond to real challenges and opportunities in their communities.

Graduates of DLI become Riley Fellows, members of a powerful cross-sector network of South Carolinians that includes corporate CEOs, legislators, superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders.

“With more than 2,600 Riley Fellows statewide, the impact these tight-knit leaders have is amplified with the addition of every new class,” Gordon said. “It’s a special thing to witness them coming together to make South Carolina a better place to live and work for all its residents.”

Listed below are the participants of the spring 2023 Upstate DLI class. The full roster of program graduates can be found online at furman.edu/riley.

Spring 2023 Upstate class participants:

Clay Adams
President, Real Estate
Pacolet Milliken
Greenville

Laura Allen
Executive Director
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas
Spartanburg

Eddy Bailey
Department Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Duncan

Becca Barnett
Corporate Strategy Lead
Milliken
Spartanburg

Eric Bebber
Director of Operations
Beacon Property Services
Spartanburg

Bonnie Bommelje
Assembly Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Blake Bridges
General Sales Manager
WYFF 4 TV
Greenville

Adam Broomhall
Manager
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Alesia Brown
Vice President of Human Resources
Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood

Cori Burnett
Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Michelin North America
Greenville

Shawna Bynum
Director
Spartanburg County First Steps (The Franklin School)
Spartanburg

Crystal Chapman-Brown
Senior Internal Auditor, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead
Self Regional Healthcare
Greenwood

Charlene Cheeks
CEO
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate
Greenville

Sarita Chourey
Director of Editorial Content
Furman University
Greenville

Laurie Clough
VP, WW Hyperscalers’ Cloud Solution Sales
VMware, Inc
Salem

Demond Criss
Program Director
Greenville County Schools
Greenville

Pierluigi Cumo
Senior Director Michelin Brand, E-Retail/E-Commerce
Michelin North America
Greenville

Kristal Doherty
Procurement Manager
Greenville Technical College
Greenville

Jason Donnelly
Director of Athletics
Furman University
Greenville

Franklin Ellis
Associate Dean and Director, Center for Inclusive Communities
Furman University
Greenville

Alex Fausse
Talent Development Director, North America
Michelin North America
Greenville

Kandi Fredere
Upstate Public Health Director
SC DHEC
Greenwood

Regan Freeman
Executive Director
The Echo Project
Laurens

Kristin Garner
Senior Vice President of External Affairs
Communities In Schools of South Carolina
Greenville

Lisa Jackson
Associate Director of Programs for Education, Enrichment and Retention (PEER)
Clemson University
Clemson

Randy Jackson, Sr.
Executive Director
Phillis Wheatley Community Center
Greenville

Matthew Logan
President and CEO
Self Regional Healthcare
Greenwood

Chris Lombardozzi
Chief Medical Officer
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Spartanburg

Kyle Longest
Associate Academic Dean/Professor of Sociology
Furman University
Greenville

Corley Moore
Data Analyst, Advanced Analytics
Milliken
Spartanburg

Grant Nicholson
Senior Relationship Manager – Commercial
TD Bank
Greenville

Zach Park
VP, Mechanical Business
Snider Fleet Solutions
Greensboro

Ford Riddle
Vice President of Philanthropy
United Way of Greenville County
Greenville

Allison Safford
Community Investments Officer
Hollingsworth Funds
Greenville

Ericka Suber
Manager – HR Business Developer
BMW Manufacturing
Greer

Kendra Thornton
Chief Human Resources Officer
Elliott Davis
Greenville

Lora Tucker
President and CEO
Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands
Greenville

René Vaughn
Director of Commercial Sales, Décor Business
Milliken
Spartanburg

David Wage
VP Truck & Bus Tire Development Americas
Michelin North America
Greenville

Darrell Walker
VP, Technology
Snider Fleet Solutions
Greensboro

Janet Zuckerman
Architect
McMillan Pazdan Smith
Greenville