Columbia Chamber announces 2023 Leadership Columbia Class

September 9, 2022

61 Local Individuals selected for Milestone 50th 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, is pleased to announce the Leadership Columbia Class of 2023. The 61 individuals will be the 50th graduating class since the program was founded in 1972.

“This year marks a historic moment for the Leadership Columbia program,” says Columbia Chamber President and CEO, Carl Blackstone. “For 50 years, over 2,200 leaders have made their impact on the greater Columbia region. The class of 2023 is poised to continue that legacy,” continued Blackstone.

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 2022-2023 Class Roster:

Adam Ribock MGC Law
Amanda Hamilton Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands
Ana Sazonov Columbia Jewish Federation
Angelo Amore Mark Anthony Brewing
Anika Thomas Richland Library
Anita Murphy Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
Austin Floyd Alverno College
Beverly Bowers NP Strategy
Brian Colclough Synovus Bank
Brittany Clark Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Caleb Buchanan Prisma Health
Camillia Leacock SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
Caroline Edwards BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Christian Markle Healthy Learners
Gene Bell McMillan Pazdan Smith
Hannah Kay Experience Columbia
Heather Lozynski Unum/Colonial Life
Howard Knapp S.C. State Election Commission
Jacqui Branch City Year
James Rogers Wilson Kibler, Inc.
Jeff Bigwarfe Beck Vision, LLC
Jennifer Fallaw South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Jeremy Laughead Oliver Gospel Mission
John Coleman Red Rock Developments
Jordan Gray S.D. Clifton Construction, Inc.
Jordan Crapps Gallivan White & Boyd
Joseph Meyers, Jr. AARP South Carolina
Joseph Toledo Magnus Development Partners
Julius Weathers THS Constructors
Kelsey Carmichael Experience Columbia
Kena Dill United Way of the Midlands
Kendrick Reed University of South Carolina
Kerin Gibson Founders Federal Credit Union
Kevin Wimberly SC UpLift Community Outreach
Kiley Prevatte FIT Columbia
Kimberly Humphrey Richland County Government
Lara Moore Lexington Medical Center
Lee Tupper HDR Engineering, Inc.
Lindsey Miles Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Liza Brockman Garvin Design Group
Maggie Herring Parker Poe Consulting
Mary Kate Korpita Flock and Rally
Matthew Cauthen The Shiver Group
Melanie Matthews Modern Exterminating Company, Inc.
Michael Lewis Stanley Martin Homes
Mickie Hoover SEED Architecture
Pamela Green Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity
Patrick Kelly Richland County Public Defender’s Office
President Chisolm Palmetto GBA
Randi Branham Elliot Davis, LLC.
Ronald Johnson First Citizens Bank
Sara Caudle Anchor Investment Management, LLC.
Sean Battle Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.
Shawn Daley Department of Defense / South Carolina Air National Guard
Shayla Riley Coldwell Banker Realty
Sonya Lakin BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Taylor Oxedine Central Carolina Realtors Association
Terrance Tucker The T.U.C.K Project
Turner McCaffrey Miller Valentine Construction
Tyra McBride Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Virginia Jacques MPA Strategies

“We are thrilled to introduce the Class of 2023, a truly outstanding group of individuals, who have the distinction of being the Chamber’s 50th Leadership Columbia class,” said David Looper, President of Furniture Services, Inc. and Leadership Columbia Advisory Board (LCAB) chair. “They have already shown their commitment to lead and become change-agents for our community, and we are excited to welcome them to the Leadership Columbia network.”

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 45 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 Leah Kelly at 803.733.1146.

 

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.