Columbia Chamber announces 2027 Leadership Columbia class
August 17, 2026
58 local individuals selected for 54th class of Chamber’s leadership program
Leadership Columbia, a Columbia Chamber program, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, for emerging and existing leaders in the Midlands, announced the Leadership Columbia Class of 2027. The 58 individuals will be the 54th graduating class since the program was founded in 1972.
This group will engage in a 10-month curriculum including monthly class day sessions, a retreat, a class project, and a variety of enrichment activities around the area.
Leadership Columbia Class of 2027 Class Roster:
- Abby Tolar, Colonial Life
- Adam Channell, Amazon
- Adam Dalenburg, Bunnell Lammons Engineering (BLE)
- Andre Richardson, Allen University
- Andrew Chernick, South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission
- Anna Kay Prisma Health, inVio Health Network
- Antonio Sales, United Way of the Midlands
- Brendon Block, Millrace
- Brittany Crowley, Children’s Trust of South Carolina
- Carmen Thomas, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Chelsea Fullerton, Law Offices of Kenneth Berger
- Clifton Lawson, Timmons Group
- Courtney Smith, University of South Carolina
- Dana Wood, FTI Consulting
- Donald Clarke, Zeus Industrial Products
- Elizabeth Riley, Colliers
- Emery Levine, Maynard Nexsen PC
- Erin Fitzpatrick, South Carolina Department of Agriculture
- Erin Rast, Harvest Hope Food Bank
- Gaynelle Dantzler, Keller Williams Preferred
- Gilvonni Fulmore, The Hartford
- Grayson Miller, PMC Commercial Interiors
- Gregory Worley, 169 FW SCANG
- Gunnar Burts, Lorem Ipsum Development
- Isaiah Hampton, First Heritage Mortgage
- James Harris, Smith & Howard, P.C.
- James Moore, AMPS Facility Solutions LLP
- Jessica Burns, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Jonathan Hinson, Colonial Life
- Kaitlyn George, Synovus Bank / Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Katie Johnson, Thomas & Hutton Engineering
- Kelly Temple, Palmetto GBA
- Kieosha Gilmore, Lexington Health
- LaTonya Jackson, Richland School District One
- Lisa Daniels, Social Security Administration
- Luke Grubbs, HUB International
- Lynette McNary, City of Columbia
- Marcus Hunter, Senior Resources Inc.
- Martha Rhodes, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Merideth Barbee, Stantec
- Michael Eargle, M.E. Contracting
- Michael Smith, Columbia College
- Michelle Nicholson, Lexington Health
- Monica Hyder, Connectivity Point
- Naarah Hardy, W Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs
- Neal Olsgaard, CMC
- Rachel Bakalich, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Richard Baldwin, Prisma Health
- Robert James, First Community Bank SC
- Robin Harriford, EdVenture
- Rushondra James, University of South Carolina
- Samantha Jones, CI Group
- Sarah Bucker, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
- ShaVon Summers, Confident Communicators, LLC
- Stefanie Davis, Community Volunteer & Civic Advocate
- Steven Moca, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Sunshine Cobb, Lexington Health
- Yair Centeno, South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health
“We couldn’t be more excited to kick off the 2027 cohort of Leadership Columbia with this outstanding group of people! Over the next year, the class will get a behind the scenes look at what makes the Midlands such an incredible place. They’ll hear from high level speakers, grow in their personal & professional leadership, and build community, while making an impact on Columbia,” said Nic Collins, Leadership Columbia Advisory Board Chair.
The class was chosen from combined application and interview scores, each marked by separate groups of Leadership Columbia alumni. The selection criteria included civic involvement, leadership potential, diversity of perspective and commitment to the leadership program and the community.
About Leadership Columbia
Leadership Columbia is an educational program offered through the Columbia Chamber. The 10-month program provides emerging and existing leaders in the Midlands area with an opportunity to enhance their civic knowledge and network. For over 50 years, Leadership Columbia has helped participants better understand the local community, while building relationships with the region’s current and future leaders.
For more information on Leadership Columbia, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com or contact Mary Beth Sanderson at 803.733.1124.
About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
To become a Partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.
