Riley Institute Names New Class of Diversity Leaders

Forty-five participants from the Upstate and surrounding areas will begin the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) this spring.

Selected for their leadership and community engagement, the participants join more than 1,700 Riley Fellows statewide. Each new class further extends and enriches the body of DLI alumni equipped to work together to make South Carolina a better place to live and work for all its residents.

“We are encouraged for the future of this state with the addition of each new class of Fellows because of their commitment to positive change and dedicated efforts to see it through,” said Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute.

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 program 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 diverse workers, clients and constituents,” said Johnson.

As part of the program, leaders 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 who represent the corporate, nonprofit, education, faith-based and government sectors, are chosen by nomination and application.

“In a time of considerable division both nationally and locally, it is increasingly important to work together to find ways to foster a thriving economy and break down barriers that hinder progress,” Gordon said.

The Riley Fellows for Upstate Class 23 are:

Kavit Antani
Assembly Quality Manager
BMW
Greer

Tommy Blackmon
Chairman
Habitat for Humanity
Simpsonville

Kathryn Boucher
Executive Director
Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Spartanburg

Lori Boyd
RN Coordinator, Joe R. Utley Heart Resource Center
SRHS – Heart Resource Center
Spartanburg

Sean Bryan
Chair, Department of Family Medicine, GHS & USC School of Medicine
Greenville Health System
Greenville

Steven Buckingham
Attorney
Law Office of Steven Edward Buckingham
Greenville

Tom Claybaugh
President
Gannett Carolinas
Greenville

Paul Constantine
Co-WW President, ScanSource POS and Networking
ScanSource, Inc.
Greenville

Shaniece Criss
Assistant Professor
Furman University
Greenville

Todd Davidson
Member
Nexsen Pruet
Greenville

Mario deCarvalho
Vice President
Carolina Zoom Studios and Video Productions
Greenville

Julie Eddy
Director of Quality and Planning
Greenville Technical College
Greenville

Terrance Ford
Regional Director
AT&T
Greenville

Ethan Friddle
Director of Programs & Operations
United Ministries
Greenville

Bill Gay
Vice President Finance
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
Greenville

Whitney Hanna
Coordinator of Community Collaboration & Institutional Advancement
Greenville County Schools
Greenville

LaShauna Harrison
Chief Executive Officer
United Way of Oconee County
Seneca

Eli Hestermann
Executive Director, Institute for the Advancement of Community Health
Furman University
Greenville

Ty Houck
Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources
Greenville County Parks and Recreation
Greenville

Tom Kayrouz
CMO
Anmed Health
Anderson

Lisa Knight
James B. Duke Associate Professor of Asian Studies, Religion, and Anthropology
Furman University
Greenville

Charlie Mayfield
Principal
J.L. Mann High School
Greenville

Melanie McLane
Facility Personnel Manager
Michelin
Sandy Springs

Marcus Morgan
Vice President, Sales (Distribution Division)
Tire Centers, LLC
Duncan

Patricia Mullinax
Lieutenant
Greenville Police Department
Greenville

Adam Murphy
Vice President, Marketing
Michelin
Greenville

Chirinjev Peterson
Proprietor
American Education and Testing Services
Greenville

Carlos Phillips
President and CEO
Greenville Chamber
Greenville

Richard Rogers
Vice President and CIO
Greenville Health System
Greenville

Luanne Runge
President and CEO
Liberty Fellowship
Greenville

Myra Ruiz
Anchor/Reporter
WYFF 4
Greenville

Jonathan Shanin
Executive Director
Aid Joy
Greenville

Darlene Shepherd
Business Segment Manager
Michelin
Greenville

Jan Skinner
Director, Club Channel
Michelin North America
Greenville

Carl Sobocinski
President
Table 301 Restaurant Group
Greenville

Tamela Spann
Manager, Strategic Initiatives
Hollingsworth Funds
Greenville

Mark Steenback
Director of ReStore Operations
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Greenville

Robin Stelling
Manager, Community Relations
Greenville Health System
Greenville

Tony Thomas
Community Leader
Spartanburg

Sam Tisdale
Director, Center for Corporate and Professional Development
Furman University
Greenville

John Uprichard
CEO/President
Find Great People
Greenville

Harriet Wallace
Attorney/Shareholder
Turner Padget Graham & Laney P.A.
Greenville

Monique Watson
Owner
Balancing Act Coaching & Consulting, LLC
Spartanburg

Nicole Wood
Vice President of Resource Development
United Way of Greenville County
Greenville

Lee Yarborough
President
Propel HR
Greenville

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.