Thirty-six leaders from the Upstate and surrounding area have completed the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI).

DLI class members are identified through a rigorous process including a nomination, application, and interview. Individuals are selected to join the class based on their capacity to impact their organizations and communities. 

Over the past five months, participants have examined sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion, explored “blind spots,” and discussed how to suspend assumptions. Each class is expertly facilitated by Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and former Coca-Cola vice president. 

As part of the program, participants have worked in small, cross-sector groups to respond to real issues and opportunities in their communities through service projects.

The projects from this class focus on topics such as fostering interaction between individuals with disabilities and employees of local companies; increasing access to food for students when school meals are not available; enhancing services at a local youth soccer center to encompass the family unit as a whole; assisting female Upstate veterans with connections and resources as they transition from the military to the private sector; and providing program support to a new day center for homeless youth.

“We are extremely proud of this class, their work to improve their organizations and communities, and the relationships they have formed from their honest conversations this semester,” said Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute.

DLI graduates become Riley Fellows, members of a powerful, cross-sector, statewide leadership network that includes CEOs of corporations, mayors, city and county council members, legislators, school superintendents, pastors and rabbis, nonprofit heads, chamber of commerce directors, and community leaders.

In addition to the Upstate, DLI classes are selected annually in the Midlands and Lowcountry.

Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.

The full roster of Riley Fellows is available online at riley.furman.edu. The Riley Fellows of the 26th Upstate DLI class are:

Brandy Amidon

CFO

Brains on Fire, Inc.

Greenville

Crystal Ball O'Connor

Board Chairwoman

Greenville County Schools

Simpsonville

Stacey Bechtold

Human Resources Manager

Greenville County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism

Taylors

Osa Benson

Attorney; Director, Legal Department

SYNNEX Corporation

Greenville

Rich Cannon

VP, Human Resources

Snider Fleet Solutions

Newton

Miriam Dicks

CEO

180 Management Group

Greenville

Don Doggett

Educational Consultant

Columbia

Amanda Dow

Stakeholder Philanthropy Manager

Duke Energy

Greenville

Cortney Easterling

Deputy Chief of Staff, President's Office

Greenville Health System

Greenville

John Emerson

Director of Operations for North America R&D

Michelin North America

Greenville

Brann Fowler

Assistant Solicitor

Greenville County Solicitor's Office

Greenville

Shauna Galloway-Williams

Executive Director

Julie Valentine Center

Greenville

Jon Hammond

General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Operations

ChartSpan Medical Technologies, Inc.

Greenville

Marty Herndon

President/COO

Snider Fleet Solutions

Newton

Traci Hogan

Assistant Superintendent for Special Education

Greenville County Schools

Greenville

Liz Horton

Senior Vice President

Greenville Chamber

Greenville

Kimbrelly Kegler

Global Brand Strategy Leader

Michelin North America

Greenville

Toni Land

Director of Patient Experience

Greenville Health System

Greenville

Tanaya Latigue

Section Manager Associate Relations

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC

Greenville

Jada Magiera

HR Business Partner

Propel HR

Greenville

Rimes McElveen

Executive Director

Mere Christianity Forum

Travelers Rest

Danny Merck

Superintendent

School District of Pickens County

Easley

Neetu Patel

Owner

Sycamore Investment Group

Greenville

Marshall Pickens, III

Business Development Manager

Anderson Federal Credit Union

Anderson

Joe Pinilla

Deputy Director of Prevention and Community Engagement

The Forrester Center for Behavioral Health

Spartanburg

Brad Pochard

Associate Vice President of Enrollment and Dean of Admission

Furman University

Greenville

Rachel Putman

VP of Human Resources

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC

Greenville

Barry Richardson

Section Manager – Equipment Services, Safety – Paint Shop

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC

Greer

Beth Rusch

Director of West End Events at Fluor Field

Greenville Drive

Greenville

Katy Sides

Associate, Strategic Initiatives

Hollingsworth Funds

Greenville

Tony Taylor

Chief of Police

Town of Williamston

Williamston

Mike Teachey

Executive Director

Barbara Stone Foundation/Greenville CAN

Greenville

Danny Varat

Chief of Staff

Office of the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

Columbia

Cherod Webber

President and CEO

Innovative Global Supply, LLC

Greenville

Jermaine Whirl

Vice President of Learning and Workforce Development

Greenville Technical College

Greenville

Will Whitley

Chief of Staff/Director of Events - Corporate Communications

Michelin North America

Greenville