Business & community leaders honored at the Greenville Chamber’s 131st Annual Meeting
February 21, 2020
The Greenville Chamber held its 131st Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Greenville Convention Center. The event, presented by TD Bank, featured the Chamber’s reflection of 2019 successes, vision for the year ahead and a recognition of leaders moving our region forward.
Greenville Chamber President/CEO Carlos Phillips shared the Chamber’s plans for 2020, including an emphasis on building an enriched leadership development portfolio, a renewed focus on growing the business community through the Accelerate initiative, making it easier to do business with the Chamber, and playing an active role in improving our community’s infrastructure.
The meeting featured the presentation of the following annual awards:
The ATHENA Leadership Award®, sponsored by Hughes Agency, honors individuals who assist women in reaching their full leadership potential; demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; and, provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award® was presented to Deborah McKetty for serving as a leader for women throughout her career.
The Buck Mickel Leadership Award, sponsored by Duke Energy, honors those who have had a dramatic impact on the community by playing a leadership role in solving critical community issues, strengthening the community or providing visionary leadership to a major community development project. The 2019 Buck Mickel Leadership Award was awarded to Toby Stansell for his enthusiastic and strategic leadership of Chamber initiatives, especially in supporting the Minority Business Accelerator program.
The 2019 Chairman’s Award, sponsored by Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, was presented to Nancy Whitworth for her steadfast service on the Greenville Chamber Board of Directors and her indelible impact on our community during her distinguished career.
The 2019 F. Ben Haskew Collaboration Award, sponsored by Furman University, recognizes Upstate leaders who display progressive visions and a partnership approach to responsible growth in the Upstate. The 2019 award was presented to Greenville County Schools for its collaborative approach to preparing and supporting youth in our region for future success, especially through programming such as the LaunchGVL partnership with the Greenville Chamber.
The Leadership Greenville Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a Leadership Greenville Alum who has made outstanding civic and community contributions. The 2019 award, sponsored by Prisma Health, was presented to Adela Mendoza, a graduate of Leadership Greenville Class 35. In addition to her work increasing access to opportunity for our community’s emerging Hispanic population, Adela also championed the Chamber’s “Reimaging Leadership” initiative to reassess its leadership development portfolio.
The Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award is given annually to an organization that has shown exemplary efforts toward neighborhood improvement and empowerment. The award is named in honor of former Greenville Mayor Max Heller, who spearheaded numerous efforts over the years to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Greenville County. The 2019 award, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, was presented to Sans Souci Neighborhood Alliance for their innovative and deeply impactful approach to connecting and enhancing the Sans Souci neighborhood.
The Minority Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Bank of America, is presented to a local, independently and minority-owned company that has been in business for a minimum of three years. The 2019 award was presented to Memoirs Events and Catering, LLC. The minority, woman and veteran-owned company offers full-service boutique catering and event planning services. Co-owners Raygan France and Jackie Saunders are award-winning graduates of the Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator program.
The 2019 Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, was presented to Kopis. Kopis is a 21-year-old Greenville-founded software development company that helps proactively grow organizations through technological consulting and implementation. They have received local, state and national recognition for their fast growth and operational excellence.
The Young Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Michelin North America, is designed to recognize an individual between the ages of 22 and 39 for his or her involvement in the community. The 2019 award was presented to Nalisha Henry, Director of Community and Partner Relations at United Way of Greenville County, noting especially her outstanding philanthropic engagement, as well as her commitment to supporting the Chamber’s Young Professionals initiative in several leadership capacities.
About the Greenville Chamber’s 131st Annual Meeting
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is a celebration of the past year’s successes and a look at what’s to come in the year ahead. This event, the largest business meeting in South Carolina, brings together over 1100 business leaders, community leaders and elected officials. This year’s Annual Meeting kicks off the Chamber’s 132nd year of operations.
About the Greenville Chamber
The Greenville Chamber, now in its 132nd year of operation, is the largest business organization in Upstate South Carolina with over 2100 Investors supporting the vision of a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper. For information, visit greenvillechamber.org.
