SCRA’s Kella Player Hanna accepted into Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Charleston Class of 2021
August 27, 2020
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is proud to announce that SC Academic Innovations Program Manager, Kella Player Hanna, has been accepted to the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Charleston Class of 2021.
Offering an intensive and up-close look at the most challenging issues and opportunities facing the Charleston region, Leadership Charleston introduces leaders to the realities, opportunities, and challenges of the region’s civic and business communities. Participants experience the power of working with other community leaders and organizations for positive growth and advancement of the region.
“Kella is an emerging leader in her field and we are honored that she’s been accepted into this program. She serves as a liaison to our research universities and colleges for advancing innovation in our state, and she will excel in Leadership Charleston. Her ability to extend her knowledge of the region and her network to collaborate with other community leaders and organizations will lead to positive outcomes for South Carolina’s institutions of higher education, entrepreneurs, and industrial base. The intersection of these sectors provides the greatest potential for innovation, economic growth, and advancement of the region,” said SCRA Executive Director, Bob Quinn.
“My previous roles required coordinating complex collaborations across stakeholders in the US and abroad to achieve the goals of new product R&D and commercialization. My role at SCRA involves similar collaboration of multiple stakeholders but on a regional level,” said Kella Player Hanna. “Leadership Charleston will provide insight on the challenges and opportunities of the Charleston metro and how I will be able to utilize that knowledge to make an impact on the South Carolina-based researchers and startups that I support.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Kella Player Hanna to the Leadership Charleston Class of 2021,” said Charleston Metro Chamber President & CEO Bryan Derreberry. “In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, having leaders who are rooted in their communities and committed to the advancement of our region is imperative. I look forward to seeing what this incoming class learns and experiences over the next year.”
Upon graduating in August 2021, Player Hanna will become a Leadership Charleston alumna, part of a distinguished group of leaders that includes chamber board of directors, elected officials, and prominent local leaders.
Kella Player Hanna held a triple major at the College of Charleston and earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, a Bachelor of Science in biology, and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. She also earned a Master of Science in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University.
About SCRA
http://www.scra.org/
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy through the impact of its four programs. SC Academic Innovations provides funding and support to advance multi-institutional, translational research and accelerate the growth of university-based startups. SC Facilities offers high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces for technology-based startups and academic institutions. SC Industry Solutions facilitates and funds partnerships between and among startups, industry and academia. SC Launch mentors and funds technology-based startups that may also receive investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.
