Together SC announces new Board Chair, national grant, and CEO transition
May 16, 2024
Together SC, the only statewide membership organization focused on bringing together SC’s leaders and partners to strengthen the state’s entire nonprofit community, made several significant announcements during its Annual Membership Meeting held this week.
New Board Chair and Board Updates
Dr. Shawn Edwards, CEO of Solutions by Shawn Edwards, has been elected Chair of the Together SC Board effective July 1. Through her consultancy, Dr. Edwards provides organizational development services to nonprofits, and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having served as Vice Chair and Co-Chair of the SC Nonprofit Summit in 2023. She is the first board chair from the Lowcountry since 2015.
Photos from top left, clockwise: Paige Stephenson, CEO of United Way of the Piedmont and exiting Board Chair and CEO Transition Chair for Together SC; Dr. Shawn Edwards, CEO of Solutions by Shawn Edwards and incoming Board Chair for Together SC; Madeleine McGee, Retiring CEO of Together SC; GP McLeer, New Director of Public Policy and Community Engagement for Together SC
Also, stepping in as Vice Chair is Tamela Spann from Hollingsworth Fund of Greenville and as Treasurer, Monroe Free of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County.
Together SC presented to the membership its slate of new board members:
- Jamie Cooper, Communities in Schools of South Carolina
- Jason Crowley, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Together SC extends its gratitude to retiring board members JoAnn Turnquist, recently retired as President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation, and Sherrie Snipes-Williams, CEO of Charleston Promise Neighborhood. Both of these leaders have been instrumental in advancing Together SC during their years of Board service.
Together SC also thanks outgoing Board Chair Paige Stephenson for her invaluable contributions to the organization. She will remain on the Board as Immediate Past Chair.
Under Stephenson’s leadership as Chair of the Together SC Board, Paige has achieved remarkable milestones. Notably, she spearheaded the successful launch of the Association Health Plan, which now provides affordable group health benefits to over 500 lives and 33 nonprofit organizations. This initiative, backed by The Duke Endowment, has been instrumental in providing healthcare benefits to nonprofit organizations in SC. Additionally, Paige’s tenure has seen unprecedented growth in Together SC’s membership, soaring from 750 to over 900 nonprofit, philanthropic, corporate, and consultant member organizations, reflecting her commitment to expanding the network and impact of our collective efforts.
Introduction of New Staff Member
During the meeting, Together SC shared news of receiving a multi-year matching grant of $178,000 over three years from the National Council of Nonprofits to advance its advocacy efforts, enabling the organization to hire its first-ever full-time Director of Public Policy and Community Engagement, GP McLeer.
GP McLeer is a seasoned leader within the nonprofit sector, with four years of dedicated service to Together SC’s Advocacy Allies, McLeer is well-positioned to drive impactful advocacy efforts in South Carolina.
CEO Transition Announcement: After 13 years of dedicated service, Madeleine McGee, CEO of Together SC, has announced her decision to step down in September 2024. McGee has been a driving force behind the organization’s success, serving as a catalyst for positive change and innovation within the nonprofit community of South Carolina.
As Together SC prepares to bid farewell to Madeleine, the organization plans to celebrate her remarkable contributions and lasting impact over the coming months. Her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership have made her a true ally for good.
A transition committee has been appointed and will be led by Paige Stephenson, Together SC’s outgoing board chair. Visit togethersc.org for more information.
