SC Women in Leadership Announces 2025 Board of Directors

South Carolina Women in Leadership (SC WIL) announced its 2025 Board of Directors, led by newly appointed President Rebecca Barnett, manager of Corporate Strategy at Milliken & Company.

Officials said Barnett, a strategic leader and lifelong community advocate, brings her commitment to equity, service, and innovation to the role.

A resident of Spartanburg, she also serves on the Boards of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, PAL (Play. Advocate. Live Well.), and on Milliken’s Women’s Alliance Steering Committee.

“Rebecca is the right leader at the right time for SC WIL,” said Sara Ballard, executive director of SC WIL. “Her strategic mind and deep community roots reflect our organizational values —collaboration, integrity, civility, and multipartisanship.”

Ballard added, “Under her leadership and with the strength of this new board, we are poised to grow our work and deepen our impact across South Carolina.”

Officials said SC WIL’s 2025 Board of Directors represents a powerful coalition of leaders from diverse backgrounds, professions, and regions — each committed to a future where women are equally represented in civic leadership.

“Our board brings a breadth of experience and a shared dedication to creating a more representative and respectful democracy,” Ballard said. “Together, they’ll guide SC WIL’s efforts to ensure fair voting, reduce polarization, and fill the leadership pipeline with qualified women.”

2025 SC WIL Board of Directors:

President – Rebecca Barnett, Milliken and Company, Spartanburg

Vice President – Elizabeth Duda, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Tega Cay

Treasurer & Chair, Finance Committee – Rachel Shaw, R. Shaw Consulting, Columbia

Chair, Governance Committee – Katie McCravy, Thrive Management Consultants, Summerville

Chair, Development Committee – Laura Allen, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, Spartanburg

Secretary – Kim Bowman, K. Hope Creative, Hartsville

LaJoia Broughton, Alpha Strategies, Columbia

Alicia Dasch, Duke Energy, Tega Cay

Sam Johnson, Civint, Columbia

Lessie Price, Elected Official, Aiken

Suzanne Youngblood Lane, Apex Strategies, Mt. Pleasant.

SC WIL empowers women to lead in elected and appointed office through training, connections, and resources.

The group is committed to building public leadership that is representative of the communities they serve and prioritizes ethical leadership and civil discourse.