Riley Institute selects Lowcountry DLI fellows

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The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative has selected its 10th Class of Fellows from the Lowcountry and surrounding areas. The 44 incoming class members will join more than 1,500 Riley Fellows from across the state to participate in DLI.

“DLI and the Riley Fellows have matured into a potent force to help move South Carolina forward,” says Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. “The variety of unique experiences and perspectives that this class brings to the table is so important to the meaningful dialogue and work of DLI,” Gordon says. He says that although the class is varied in background and experience, “They have a common ability to affect change through leadership positions in their organizations and community.”

Class members meet over the course of five months in a format driven by timely, relevant case studies and other experiential learning tools designed to maximize interactions and productive relationships among participants. DLI is expertly facilitated by Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and former Coca-Cola vice president. “DLI is unique among South Carolina’s leadership programs. In addition to the opportunity to develop new relationships and take part in positive action in their communities, participants gain deep knowledge of how to effectively manage and lead increasingly diverse workers, clients and constituents,” says Johnson.

As part of the program, leaders also work in cross-sector groups to respond to real issues and opportunities in their communities through capstone service projects.

Participants, who reflect South Carolina’s demographics and represent the corporate, nonprofit, education, faith-based and government sectors, are chosen by nomination and application. “The frames of reference and skills that DLI graduates share provide a remarkable platform for working together to help South Carolina compete in the 21st century,” Gordon says.

The Riley Fellows for Lowcountry Class 10 are:

Rita Berry
President/CEO
Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
Summerville

Michael Bobby
Chief Finance, Operating and Capital Programs Office
Charleston County School District
North Charleston

Cindy Bohn Coats
Chair
Charleston County School District Board of Trustees
North Charleston

Adair Boroughs
Law Clerk
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Charleston

Bryan Boroughs
General Counsel and Director of Legislative Affairs
Institute for Child Success
Charleston

André Boyd
Superintendent
Florence County School District Four
Timmonsville

Ann Carmichael
Regional Campus Dean
University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
Allendale

Bobby Collins
Senior Vice President
PURE Insurance
Charleston

Lydia Cotton
Hispanic Liaison
North Charleston

Kristin Cuilla
Director, District and School Development
New Tech Network
Clayton

Kelly Cusanelli
Senior Deputy Director – Human Resources
SCRA
Summerville

Hamilton Davis
Energy Program Director
SC Coastal Conservation League
Charleston

Julia-Ellen Davis
Trustee
South Carolina First Steps
Charleston

Eddie Driggers
Chief of Police
City of North Charleston
North Charleston

Mark Edington
Chief Operating Officer
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
North Charleston

Brandon Gaffney
Chief Operating Officer
Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc.
Ridgeland

Kenyatta Gardner
Attorney
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Charleston

Courtney Howard
Director, Center for Partnerships to Improve Education
College of Charleston
Charleston

Paul Kohlheim
Board, Vice Chair
Tri-County Cradle to Career
Sullivan’s Island

Amanda Lawrence
Vice President, Community Impact
Trident United Way
North Charleston

Spencer Lynch
Managing Director, Investments
Lynch Cracraft Wealth Management of Raymond James
Charleston

Melissa Maddox-Evans
General Counsel
Housing Authority of City of Charleston
Charleston

Madeleine McGee
President
SC Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Columbia

Barbara Melvin
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
South Carolina Ports Authority
Charleston

Cynthia Morton
Attorney
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP
Charleston

Jennifer Murray
Senior Vice President, Retail Area Manager
South State Bank
Charleston

Russell Ott
Representative; Businessman
South Carolina House of Representatives
St. Matthews

Luke Rankin
State Senator; Attorney
South Carolina Senate
Conway

Andrea Schenck
Co-founder and Managing Principal
Pacifica Human Communications, LLC
Charleston

Arnold Singleton
Vice President, Administration
Santee Cooper
Moncks Corner

Martin Skelly
President
SIB Fixed Cost Reduction
Charleston

Jeannine Smalls
Pastor
Grace Chapel AME Church
Beaufort

Debra Sonkin
Principal
Search Advisory Group
Johns Island

Mike Stebbins
Director of Operations, SCRA Applied R & D
SCRA
Summerville

Melanie Stith
Vice President, Human Resources
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Charleston

Richard Stokes
CEO
Clarendon Health System
Manning

Matt Story
Attorney
Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Charleston

Mindy Sturm
Executive Director
City of Charleston, MOCYF
Charleston

Catherine Templeton
President
Brawley Templeton, LLC
Mt. Pleasant

Mary Thornley
President
Trident Technical College
Charleston

Eric Watson
Major
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
North Charleston

Stewart Weinberg
President
Jewish Community Center of Charleston Board of Directors
Charleston

Steve Woodward
COO
SAFEmap International
Mt. Pleasant

Bill Young
Mayor
City of Walterboro
Walterboro

Learn more about the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative. Or contact Megan Dodgens, Manager of Diversity Leadership Programs at (864) 294-3253, or megan.dodgens@furman.edu.