Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina for 2023. In South Carolina, women have become an integral part of the state's current economy, contributing significantly to its growth and success. According to recent statistics, women make up 48% of South Carolina's workforce and play essential roles in various sectors, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. The state has also seen an increase in the number of women-owned businesses, which have created job opportunities and contributed to increased household income. The presence of this year’s awardees in leadership positions has brought about positive change, resulting in more diverse and inclusive workplaces for the state.

Among this year’s awardees is Meredith Johnson, Chief Product Officer of Litera, who uses 20 years of proven experience to drive the organization’s long-term product strategy and lead the product management and design functions to deliver value to customers. Awardee Willette Burnham-Williams serves as the Chief Equity Officer at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she works to advance health equity and inclusivity across the institution. Also awarded is Karen Saldaña who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and driving growth and expansion for U.S. HealthTek as their Chief Operating Officer.

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Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina for 2023.



1. Willette Burnham-Williams
Chief Equity Officer, Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Willette Burnham-Williams is the Chief Equity Officer of the Medical University of South Carolina. She is also a member of the President’s Council and the enterprise senior leadership team. Under Burnham-Williams’ leadership, the Office of Equity is charged with further elevating, empowering, and prioritizing innovative infrastructure, programs, and resources across the enterprise. Willette is an experienced senior leader in higher education administration and developing strategic diversity initiatives and multi-faceted programs in small and large, public and private organizations.

Before joining the MUSC family, Burnham-Williams held leadership positions at Williamsburg Technical College, The Citadel Military College of SC, and The College of Charleston. She is a spokesperson on matters related to creating, enhancing, and sustaining an inclusive organization and campus environment and is committed to partnering with leaders to build, foster and integrate comprehensive and intentional professional practices of equity and inclusion.

Dr. Burnham-Williams holds an undergraduate degree from Trinity College, and a Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. She completed 2 post-doctorate certificate programs, health care executive leadership in diversity and inclusion from Georgetown University and Harvard University’s Summer Institute for Educational Management. Additionally, she has participated in state and national women’s leadership development forums hosted by the American Council on Education and South Carolina Women in Higher Education.



2. Meredith Johnson
Chief Product Officer, Litera

As Chief Product Officer, Meredith Johnson is responsible for driving Litera’s long-term sector-leading product strategy. She leads product management and product design functions contributing to Litera's hyper-growth. Meredith focuses on delivering value with their product teams back to their customers and establishing a strong voice for the customer in their roadmaps.

Meredith brings 20 years of proven experience building world-class products, services, and marketplaces for global business, previously generating nearly $1 billion in company revenue. She's a public speaker on topics including leading product management through business model transformation, fueling innovation through portfolio transformation, and end-of-support product lifecycle frameworks. In addition, she is a consummate advocate for women in tech, a public speaker for several SaaS operating models, and an executive board member for nonprofit organizations like Charleston Promise Neighborhood. Meredith holds two undergraduate degrees from the College of Charleston.



3. Juana Slade
Chief Diversity Officer & Director of Diversity and Language Service, AnMed Health

Juana Slade is the Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity and Language Services of AnMed Health, a dynamic, comprehensive health system in Anderson, South Carolina. For more than 100 years, AnMed has provided health care for residents of eight counties in upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia. AnMed’s medical staff includes more than 400 physicians, and with over 3,600 employees, AnMed is Anderson County’s largest employer. Slade has 27 years of experience. She began her career in 1996.

Before joining AnMed Health, Slade was a communications strategist at Greenville Health System. She graduated from Claflin University with an undergraduate degree in social sciences.



4. Karen Saldaña
Chief Operating Officer, U.S. HealthTek

Karen Saldaña currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of U.S. HealthTek. Saldaña has been in the lab industry for over 25 years, having previously served as director of program management at BioReference Laboratories. Before that, she served with Quest Diagnostics for 20 years in several roles including project manager of client services and senior QMS program manager.

Saldaña has an undergraduate degree in molecular biology from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in bioinformatics from George Mason University. She is a PMP-certified project manager, bioinformatics programmer, and a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. As a member of the Project Execution team within the US Army’s LSS Program Management Office, Saldaña led projects that maintained the Army’s drive toward a culture of continuous improvement. She played a key role in the establishment of the LSS Excellence Award Program and the standardization of Green Belt and Black Belt training materials.



5. Tricia Wilson
Chief Talent Officer, FORVIS

Tricia Wilson is the Chief Talent Officer in the accounting firm of Forvis LLP. She has been a practicing CPA for over 30 years. In her work as a forensic CPA, she has consistently been qualified as an expert in financial matters by the Family Courts of South Carolina. She has testified in the Courts and at depositions. The primary emphasis of her work is in the areas of taxation, specifically, business valuations, litigation support and mediation, and business and individual consulting services. By passing the Accredited in Business Valuation examination, Wilson has previously been designated as an ABV by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Wilson has been trained in the Collaborative Divorce process.

Wilson graduated Phi Beta Kappa with an undergraduate degree in business administration from The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she went to work for Price Waterhouse before moving on to Pratt-Thomas & Welch. She later returned to the University of South Carolina to receive a master’s degree in accounting. She worked for 3 years for Arthur Andersen & Co., LLP in Columbia, South Carolina after completing the master’s program. In 1989 she left to form her own CPA firm in Charleston, South Carolina. Wilson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of CPAs.



6. Jane Appleby
Chief Medical Officer, Trident Medical Center

Jane Appleby is a renowned healthcare professional who currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina. With over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Appleby has dedicated her career to improving the health outcomes of her patients and communities. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas and completed her residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Before joining Trident Medical Center, Appleby served as the chief medical officer at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where she was instrumental in implementing new clinical programs and technologies to enhance patient care. As the CMO at Trident Medical Center, Appleby continues to lead the hospital's efforts to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to the Charleston community.



7. Katie Robinson
Chief Marketing Officer, Vice President, & Principal, LS3P Associates

As Principal and LS3P’s firmwide Chief Marketing Officer, Katie Robinson plays a vital role in the firm’s Practice and Business processes, working closely with the Executive Committee to ensure the firm’s goals are fully supported. From a practice standpoint, Katie manages the firm’s internal and external communications including all media platforms and digital presence. She creates and implements marketing collateral, brand management strategies, and marketing budgets, using strategic leadership to foster collaboration among the firm’s marketing staff throughout its eight offices.

As part of the firm’s Business Team, Katie focuses on leading knowledge management efforts. She works closely with the LS3P’s data managers and contract assistants to maintain data collection as a top priority on all projects. Her passion for the built environment and her eye for graphic design, coupled with her understanding of the importance of effectively communicating how data supports the design, is a true asset to LS3P.



8. Tanya Butts
EVP & Chief Operations & Chief Risk Officer, First Community Bank of South Carolina

Tanya Butts is a highly respected banking professional who currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations and Chief Risk Officer at First Community Bank of South Carolina. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Butts has a wealth of expertise in operations management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. She earned her undergraduate degree in business administration from Limestone College and her MBA from Webster University.

Before joining First Community Bank of South Carolina, Butts held various senior leadership positions at other financial institutions, where she gained valuable experience in strategic planning, project management, and technology implementation. In her current role, Butts is responsible for overseeing the bank's daily operations, managing risk, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Under her leadership, First Community Bank of South Carolina has become a trusted financial institution that provides exceptional service to its customers while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and soundness.



9. Natalia Aresu
Regional President, Humana

With over 18 years of experience at Humana, Natalia Aresu has extensive knowledge in health plan operations, ranging from strategy and clinical care models to finance and member services. She most recently served as the Regional President for South Carolina Healthy Horizons, leading the implementation of Humana's South Carolina Medicaid program, which currently serves nearly 20,000 members.

Before her current roles, Natalia was a Florida long-term care leader, where she implemented two statewide contracts, driving operational excellence and significant membership growth. With over 22 years of progressive leadership experience, Natalia has a unique expertise in delivering care in the home and improving quality outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations through innovative clinical models and strategic provider relationships. She is actively involved in industry associations and nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and quality of senior populations. Natalia holds an undergraduate degree in forensic psychology from the City University of New York and an MBA with a concentration in healthcare from Florida Atlantic University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places.



10. Jen Buckner
SVP of Technology Risk Management, Mastercard

Jennifer Buckner leads Mastercard’s Technology Risk Management, Global Governance, Framework, and Standards team, providing enhanced visibility and proactive management of security and technology risks, with a focus on the integration of information security standards and controls with technology governance, regulatory obligations, and third-party risks.

Jen is a recently retired US Army brigadier general who held numerous intelligence and leadership positions throughout her military career. In her last government role, Jennifer served as the director of cyber for the US Army where she led governance and oversight of cyber capabilities and championed emerging technologies to enable the detection and disruption of significant cyber threats.

Jen holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering Management from West Point and an MBA from Central Michigan University. She was the first US Army Cyber Fellow at the National Security Agency and completed Harvard’s Executive Education Program in Cybersecurity. She currently supports the US Army as a highly qualified expert and senior mentor and serves in advisory roles with the Cyber Risk Institute, Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center Cyber Diversity Scholarship, and Partnership for Public Service Cyber Talent Initiative.



11. Christy Thompson
Vice President, Global Marketing and Communications, Sonoco

Christy Thompson is a Fortune 500 senior executive with a proven track record for strategic partnership development focused on driving incremental growth, organizational scalability, and increased partner satisfaction. She currently serves as the Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications at Sonoco. She is a highly collaborative and analytical leader with success in designing and implementing both multi and omnichannel business strategies. She has been recognized for building award-winning, cross-functional, global teams that consistently exceed financial targets while advancing the organization’s mission.

At Sonoco, a global leader in diversified consumer, industrial, healthcare, and protective packaging, Christy leads marketing and communication strategy around the world. Her passion for patient advocacy in healthcare comes from her experience during her daughter’s diagnosis of a rare immunological condition, ADEM, in 2009. Just one year later, she found herself on the front lines with families fighting to be heard by the physicians to whom they entrust their lives. Holding an undergraduate degree in English and psychology from Clemson University, Thompson also obtained a postgraduate diploma in corporate sustainability from Furman University, and a certificate of Excellence in Authentic Leadership at Harvard Business School. Thompson is a Diversity Fellow of The Riley Institute, holds a Certificate of Distinction from the Women’s Leadership Institute, is a Bon Secours St Francis Fellow, and a 2019 Liberty Fellow of the South Carolina-based Aspen Global Leadership Fellowship.



12. Sharon Lykins
Vice President of Product Innovation, Denny's

Sharon Lykins is a food science graduate from the University of Kentucky. While there, her contributions to the study of the effect of fermentation on protein digestibility were published in The Journal of Food Science. She has continued her culinary education with short courses at both Johnson & Wales and the Culinary Institute of America. Over the last 20+ years, she has gained experience in each discipline affecting the product development process. She has worked on both the food service and the processing sides of the food industry. Her accomplishments in product development, QA, purchasing, and international product management have led to her current position leading Denny’s product development team as the Vice President of Product Innovation. Her work at Denny's led to her being named one of 2017's Women Worth Watching by the Profiles in Diversity Journal. In 2017, Lykins was proud to accept NRN's Menu Masters award for Best Menu Revamp on behalf of the Denny's brand and Product Innovation team.



13. Michelle Dodge
Senior Vice President, SunTrust

Michelle Dodge is the Senior Vice President of SunTrust. She first joined the company in 2018. BB&T and SunTrust formed Truist with a shared purpose, to inspire and build better lives and communities. With their combined resources, collective passion, and commitment to innovation, they’re creating a better financial experience to help people and businesses achieve more. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country.

Previously, Dodge was a commercial banker and VP at Regions Bank, and before that a regional sales manager at Bank of America. Earlier in her career she worked with MBNA as a fitness center manager. Dodge earned an MS in exercise physiology and physical education from the University of Maine and an undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Maine at Farmington.



14. Sharon Bryant
South Carolina Regional EVP, First Citizens Bank

Sharon Bryant has more than 30 years of banking, fiduciary, and investment services experience. She joined the company in 1999 as EVP and director of HR. In 2001, she became the division executive, responsible for the bank’s Central South Carolina region, and was promoted in 2010 to regional EVP and director of the bank’s Wealth Advisory Group and president of First Citizens Securities, the bank’s in-house broker-dealer.

Before her 16-year tenure with First Citizens, Sharon held a variety of leadership positions at First Union, now Wells Fargo, from 1986 to 1999. She worked in fiduciary sales and employee-benefit sales before becoming a licensed securities broker and principal, where she managed brokers and trust officers. She later served as head of First Union’s private bank. After leading the private bank from 1993 to 1995, Sharon became an area president and regional sales manager for First Union.



15. Courtney Kuhn
Senior Vice President, Avison Young

Courtney Kuhn is a Senior Vice President at Avison Young, specializing exclusively in industrial properties, users, and investments. She joined Avison Young in 2014 when she launched her career as one of the first females in the region to specialize exclusively in the industrial sector. Her global business background, international supply chain, and logistics experience brings a fresh perspective and collaborative cadence, unique to the brokerage industry.

Courtney is a founding partner of the K.I.Y. Industrial & Investment Services Team of Avison Young South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, which consists of three industrial brokers supported by a dedicated marketing and administrative coordinator, along with other staff of the Avison Young Charleston, South Carolina office. Collaborative, innovative, passionate, and an expert in her field, Courtney is always engaging her team, clients, peers, and community. It’s all about relationships – collecting and connecting the dots.

Before joining Avison Young, Courtney worked at C.H. Robinson Worldwide. She is an alumnus of the College of Charleston, where she received her undergraduate degree in international business in 2012 and was recently awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation through the CCIM Institute.



16. Tiffany Crumpton
VP of Customer Retention & Global Head of Renewals, Blackbaud

Tiffany Crumpton is a growth-minded and customer-focused executive, visionary leader, and strategist for Blackbaud (BLKB) with over 25 years of expertise in customer success, pricing and commercialization, revenue management, sales, marketing, education service, and operations functions. Tiffany currently oversees Blackbaud's Education Services team as well as the renewal strategy, renewal pricing and commercialization, planning, and execution for Blackbaud's annual recurring revenue business.

Tiffany is consistently recognized as an adept and proven people leader with the ability to lead high-performing teams in a direct management and matrixed environment, across a variety of functions. As a member of the Global Management Team, Senior Women's Leadership Council, and a 7-time President's Club/Chairman Circle winner, Tiffany is passionate about driving customer success, leading a great team, continuous innovation, and driving record-breaking business results.



17. Denise Croden
VP of Integrated Production, George P Johnson Experience Marketing

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Denise Croden lived in multiple cities across Canada, Germany, and the United States and is a US and Canadian citizen. She currently serves as the Vice President of Integrated Production for George P Johnson Experience Marketing, the world's leading strategic experiential marketing agency. As the world’s leading experiential marketing agency, they have both the obligation and the ability to create lasting industry change through the fabric of diverse, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable live, digital, and hybrid experiences.

Denise held event production, marketing, and sales roles at Edible Arrangements, Jack Morton, and several pharmaceutical companies in Canada. She is a Certified Meeting Professional and holds an undergraduate degree from McMaster University and a marketing certificate from Ryerson University. In 2023 Denise became the chair of the board of directors, after serving as vice chair and a director since June 2021, for the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit organization.




18. Monique McDaniels
President & CEO, EnTouch Communication

Monique McDaniels is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EnTouch Communication. She has been an engaged community activist in Columbia, SC for more than 15 years. She has distinguished herself as a strong leader who consistently provides creative ideas on how to strategically build relationships and remove barriers. Moreover, she has worked hard to develop a reputation for her tenacity and her unique ability to tackle challenging situations with a professional and balanced approach. Monique’s greatest strength exists in her ability to effectively manage complex situations while also inspiring people under her leadership to work toward a common goal. She has a heart for service and aspires to move our community, state, and nation forward.

Monique is very civically engaged; she coordinated the Midlands Mediation Center’s new Community=Opportunity grant-funded initiative that was designed to engage citizens in learning and practicing conflict resolution techniques and communication methods. She also served as an adjunct professor at Springfield College where she educated undergraduate students about the importance of social injustices and post and present-day social movements. She held board leadership positions on the advisory board for Leadership Columbia, an initiative of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the American Society of Public Administrators, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the Project Management Institute. She was formerly certified as an economic developer and law enforcement officer, and a graduate of Leadership Columbia and Columbia College’s LeaderSHIFT program for women executives.



19. Kim Mackrill
CEO, Mammoth Technology

Kim Mackrill is committed to using the power of efficient processes to develop compelling solutions for the problems facing financial advisors and their clients. She began her career in the nonprofit world and moved to a publicly traded company in 2005 where she worked with a global sales team, providing oversight to a joint marketing program. She opened Mackrill Media, a boutique design agency, in 2009.

In 2015, Kim co-founded Mineral Interactive with her husband, Jud Mackrill. Together, with a team of strategists, writers, designers, and developers, they helped advisors across the country amplify their message to those who need to hear it most. They were honored to be named Winner, Best Advisor Innovation, Fuse 2017, and XYPN Fintech Champion 2018.

Mineral was acquired by Carson Group in 2018, where Kim served as the creative director and SVP of marketing. Kim led a rebrand of Carson’s five main business entities, bringing each of them into harmony. She directed a complete redesign of the Carson Client Experience, the main client portal for all investor clients. She provided oversight and direction for the complete re-platforming of Carson Coaching, with a focus on the user interface design. Her leadership of the 32-person marketing team included strategists, copywriters, designers, developers, advertising specialists, and an event team.

In 2021, Kim helped launch Milemarker, an integration as a service company focused on the financial industry where she served as CMO. Shortly afterward, she became a general partner in Mammoth Investors where she helped provide brand, marketing, and design to Mammoth’s subsidiary companies including a venture capital company that specializes in health science and Mammoth Technology, a platform as a service company that is revolutionizing the way fund managers, financial advisors, and founders establish and service funds to enhance investor experience. Kim became the CEO of Mammoth Technology in April 2023.



20. Marie Prentice
Chief Operating Officer, WAM Academy

Marie Prentice is the powerhouse Chief Operating Officer of WAM Academy and its sister 501 (c)3 organization, WAM Impact Partners, together known as “WAM”. Her impressive background in managing complex logistics and strategies in the operational and political sectors, along with her expertise in fundraising, budgets, and systems management, has made her an industry heavyweight.

She has a wealth of experience leading multiple companies, nonprofits, and government agencies through growth transitions in various settings, including roles at The Obama White House and senior leadership roles in dozens of political campaigns, MoveOn, senior director positions at top management companies, and executive coaching for Fortune 50 and 500 C-Suite leadership. She's been widely sought after for her impact, which includes impressive strategic thought partnerships, innovative solutions, and operational expertise in managing multi-hundred million dollar budgets and thousands of staff.

With her over 20 years of leadership experience, Marie has helped WAM find success with both its for-profit and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizational arms. WAM is focused on redefining and revolutionizing mentorship for Black, Brown, and diverse learners. Using her knowledge of growth, systems, and compliance, she has helped to lead their proprietary platform to be accessible for students in 5-12th grade worldwide. She is committed to supporting the people, organizations, and companies who share her passion for improving lives and lessening inequities. She holds a particular interest in fostering connections and cultivating a dynamic network of like-minded individuals, and she welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with insightful leaders who share her values.

She is a graduate of SUNY at Albany focusing on politics, public policy and communication, and rhetoric. She then attended The University of Akron’s Masters in Applied Politics program. Marie is also a graduate of the Campaign School at Yale and has mentored over 200 women personally and professionally in her career and has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to empowering women in various industries.



21. Emily Watrous
Vice President Human Resources, MARLEYLILLY

Emily Watrous has over 27 years of experience at Fortune 150 companies in various leadership roles and has worked across various industries in both public and privately-run organizations. Emily has a broad range of experience across the human resources spectrum, from change management and compensation to succession planning and talent development, and has served as the VP of HR and CHRO at several organizations. Whether working at the production level or with the c-suite for strategic HR decisions, Emily is comfortable delivering results and consistently exceeds expectations. She has a passion for continuous learning and an open mind in the pursuit of maximizing the potential of people through talent identification, gap assessments, and creating opportunities for both people and organizations to capitalize on their collective strengths and succeed in handling the challenges of tomorrow.

Emily has worked in the areas of higher education, professional services, banking, construction, distribution & transportation, manufacturing, e-commerce, and equipment rental. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology, a master’s degree in human resource development, and her certified senior HR designation. Her career background, experience living abroad for 8+ years, and global perspective make her well-rounded, culturally aware, and adaptable in driving results and building robust teams for the success of any organization.




22. Kelly Boerner
Vice President, MAXIMUS

Kelly Boerner is the Vice President of MAXIMUS. She first joined the company in 2015. MAXIMUS is moving people forward by providing transformative technology services, digitally enabled customer experiences, and clinical health services that change lives. Their employees share an authentic desire to make vital services available to the public and support the missions of their customers.

Previously, Boerner was a senior manager of capture management and business and operations at Truven Health Analytics and before that a senior consultant of business development and operations at CGI. Earlier in her career she worked with Mountain Bank Mortgage as a mortgage lender. Boerner earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from Lander University.



23. Kimberly Coad-Ascue
Associate Vice President, Network Management Operations, Molina Healthcare

Kimberly Coad-Ascue is Associate Vice President of Network Management Operations at Molina Healthcare and has over twenty-nine years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has spent the last 18 years working with a specific emphasis on provider network development, contracting, provider relations, and credentialing. The first ten years of her career were spent working in the public health arena which enhanced her insight and understanding from the provider's perspective. She is a network management leader with expertise in network development, credentialing, and NCQA accreditation.

Coad-Ascue is a goal-driven, customer-focused professional who demonstrates consistent achievement and exceeds health plan objectives in highly competitive markets. She possesses strong team-building skills and demonstrates the ability to influence and motivate staff. She comes very highly recommended by hospitals and physicians statewide and is described as "highly talented" by leading recruitment firms.



24. Missy Ryan Penland
Senior Associate Vice President for Development, Clemson University

Missy Ryan Penland is a nationally recognized philanthropic leader within higher education and community-based organizations. She is known for motivating staff and volunteers to reach ambitious philanthropic goals with passion and commitment to mission. A seasoned strategist with executive-level experience in major gifts, prospect management, talent, financial management, and board governance, she excels in operations of all sizes.

Missy currently is the Associate Vice President for Development at Clemson University. She was named one of six Fundraising Stars nationally in 2010 by Fundraising Success Magazine as well as named AFP's Fundraising Executive of the Year for the Upstate of South Carolina. She has been nationally recognized for her work and success in gift officer productivity through her D.A.D. fundraising program by such groups as the Education Advisory Board and the Major Gifts Report.



25. Lauren Simer
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Greenville Technical College

Lauren Simer is a visionary leader skilled at leading a diverse team of gifted individuals, building a culture of trust and mutual respect. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, she is committed to students’ success. As a graduate of a community college, she is passionate about promoting the educational excellence and value proposition it affords learners. Always ready to embrace change as an opportunity, and believe in the impossible, Lauren has been described by colleagues as forever young in spirit.



26. Penn Williams
Chief Operating Officer, Pintail

Penn Williams leads the operations and strategic business initiatives for Pintail and oversees the creation and execution of their annual and long-range business plans. Before joining Pintail in 2018, Penn was director of resource development at Christ Church Episcopal, where she planned and executed multiple annual giving campaigns as well as an $8 million capital campaign. Before this, Penn worked for many years at ScanSource, Inc., a technology distributor, where she was Director of Merchandising.

Penn holds an undergraduate degree in business economics from Wofford College, where she was Phi Beta Kappa and an International MBA from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Focusing her IMBA studies on brand management, she spent time completing coursework in Germany followed by an internship in Switzerland before ultimately returning to Greenville.

Penn enjoys being a part of Commercial Real Estate Women Upstate and serving on the Youth Parents’ Council and other committees at Christ Church Episcopal. She volunteers at her children’s schools and is an enthusiastic supporter of the local arts community, serving on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Arts Council as well as the steering committee of their MAConnect group.



27. Katharina Zunk
Vice President of Operations, Pyramid Healthcare

Katharina Zunk currently serves as the Vice President of Operations for Pyramid Healthcare. She grew up in the northeastern area of Pennsylvania and New England. She relocated to South Florida at a young age and experienced first-hand a life in addiction and shortly after surrendered to a life in recovery. Katharina has dedicated herself to serving the recovery community. She always volunteers her time to pay it forward and shares her story in hopes of saving others from the throes of addiction that almost took her own life.

Katharina has an extensive background in substance use disorder and mental health treatment. This, accompanied by her clear understanding of the 12 steps and recovery, has allowed her relentless pursuit of helping individuals struggling with addiction. She strives to let every individual know that they are taking the very first step in a life-changing journey, emphasizing how important that first step toward their new life truly is.

Katharina’s extensive operational, clinical, substance use disorder, and mental health background allows her to help not only those who are suffering but also their families suffering as well. Katharina has led many great teams in the behavioral health field. She specializes in facility startups, team building, turnarounds, CARF, Joint Commission, and compliance with all state and accrediting bodies’ standards.




28. Purvi Desai
Associate Vice President, Iteris

Purvi Desai has over 16 years of experience in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) planning, design, implementation, and evaluation. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Iteris. During the last eight years, she has been managing the National Highway Institute’s (NHI) three different IDIQ contracts, which include 22 task orders and the coordination of 33 subcontractors. She ensures the quality and consistency of all deliverable task orders to NHI by tracking the work and tasks, submitting detailed progress reports, and completing invoice documentation.

Desai coordinates all the planning and scheduling of courses, and her tireless dedication has led to the successful delivery of hundreds of course sessions for NHI. She has held both technical and managerial positions within ITS programs operating under the auspices of large, and often Statewide, General Consulting services contracts. Her dedicated work ethic and direct contributions have advanced tolling and ITS programs for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.



29. Ada Belton
Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations & Advancement Services, Benedict College

Ada Brown Belton joined the Office of Alumni Affairs in 1977. Before joining Benedict College, she was a branch management trainee at First National Bank in Columbia, SC for 9 months. Having worked in several roles in institutional advancement, including serving as director of alumni affairs, Ada assumed the role of Assistant Vice President in 2008. As such, she provides strategic direction for every aspect of alumni affairs programming. She is the executive officer of the Alumni Association's board of directors. She also manages alumni and campus volunteers, develops alumni communications, and supervises the development of programming for students and alumni.

Ada received her undergraduate degree in business administration. She completed the Fund Development Institute at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire in 1995. She is also a 1996 graduate of the Ford Foundation Institutional Advancement Fellowship at the University of South Carolina and a 2003 YWCA Honoree recognizing women leaders who have made significant contributions to the business and industry.



30. Keri Corbin
Vice President of Client Solutions, Barcoding

Keri Corbin has been working in the client solutions department at Barcoding since July 2020. Before that, she spent two and a half years as the senior director of infrastructure, service, and supplier management at DHL Supply Chain. In that role, Keri was responsible for driving the selection, management, and measurement of key suppliers using globally developed processes. Keri also researched and sourced vendors based on pricing, SLA management, and quality of work.

Under her leadership, the team implemented a new PC delivery process which took delivery time from 10 business days to 2 business days, with the team achieving 99% of SLA. Keri also managed to successfully move from internal support of their network to an external supplier, including the migration of over 10k devices, 500 sites, and documentation of new build and run processes. Additionally, she completed the transition from an existing wiring vendor to a new vendor, driving 30% cost improvement and higher quality delivery. As a key contributor to the cost model project, Keri helped move an existing requirement document to an online service that uses rate cards to populate initial costs for new business pursuits.

Keri is a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of success in managing large-scale projects and teams. She is an excellent communicator and problem solver who can build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Keri has an undergraduate degree in business administration from Franklin University and a degree in business administration and management from the University of Toledo. Keri also attended The Ohio State University.



31. Mary Margaret Jackson
Chief Quality & Risk Officer, Abbeville Area Medical Center

Mary Margaret Jackson is a committed professional with over twenty years of healthcare experience including over ten years of progressive management experience. Before her management path, Jackson was a senior management engineer in healthcare for over 4 years where she had further education around statistical process control. She has directed activities related to quality, safety, risk management, utilization review, and discharge planning. She is very knowledgeable in The Joint Commission and DNV standards and currently directs her hospital’s accreditation process. She has implemented ISO 9001:2000 standards in hospital departments and has been certified as an auditor. She has trained in quality management, performance engineering, and risk management.

Jackson has had training in Total Quality Transformation (TQT)TM for facilitation and taught numerous courses. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and is currently studying for the CPHRM exam. She received the PHT Services, Ltd. Most Notable Achievement Award in 2006. This award was given for her enthusiasm, dedication, and contribution toward improving patient care in South Carolina. She also received the South Carolina Association of Healthcare Quality Distinguished Member Award in 2006 for her work at the board level. Jackson holds the following professional memberships, the National Association of Healthcare Quality, the South Carolina Association for Healthcare Quality, the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, and the South Carolina American Society for Healthcare Risk Management. She served on the South Carolina Hospital Association Quality and Patient Safety advisory committee for over 4 years.



32. Jeannette Andrews
Professor & Dean of the College of Nursing, University of South Carolina

Dr. Jeannette Andrews, recognized nationally and globally for her work in community-engaged research and tobacco control interventions with underserved women, is the 7th Dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. With a combined 35 years in nursing practice and education, Dr. Andrews has led transformational innovations that have impacted the health of communities and education and support for future nurses, including advanced practice registered nurses and nurse scientists. Dr. Andrews is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, a Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow, and an AACN-Wharton Executive Fellow.

Dr. Andrews achieved success as a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded investigator for multiple community trials utilizing innovative community engagement approaches to address tobacco prevention and cessation with disparate communities. She has authored over 200 publications and abstracts and has served as an international and national consultant along with contributing to multiple task groups related to health and nursing. Selected awards include the SNRS Researcher in Minority Health, South Carolina Health Care Hero Award, Palmetto Gold Award, NPACE National Nurse Practitioner Award, Veterans Administration National Professional Nurse Award, and Georgia Nurses Association-Nurse of the Year. Before arriving at the university, she served as the associate dean for research and director of the Center for Community Health Partnerships at the Medical University of South Carolina. Clinically, she is a family nurse practitioner and has a robust history in practice working in medical-surgical units, intensive care units, and primary care.

Since arriving at the university, Dr. Andrews has led significant growth, quality outcomes, and diverse partnerships, all of which propelled the college as a nationally recognized premiere College of Nursing. Dr. Andrews received her Ph.D. in nursing science from the University of South Carolina, a master’s in nursing with a family nurse practitioner specialty from Georgia Southern University, and her undergraduate degree in nursing science from the Medical College of Georgia.



33. De Daltorio
Chief Education Officer, Charleston Animal Society

De Daltorio began her professional career 27 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Education Officer of Charleston Animal Society, one of the oldest humane societies in the United States established 149 years ago. They operate a 31,000 sqft lifesaving shelter that houses over 8,000 animals a year. They are open 7 days a week and operate two high-quality low-fee spay and neuter clinics. They reunite lost pets with their guardians and educate thousands of children in local schools. Charleston Animal Society continues to fight animal cruelty, find safe homes for abandoned animals and reduce pet overpopulation. The greatest challenge facing the agency today is finding space and resources to increase pet adoptions as the number of abandoned pets increases steadily with their growing community.

Daltorio first got her start in 1996 as an art teacher at St. Alphonsus School. She graduated from Carlow University with a degree in art education and from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate degree in elementary education.



34. Chrissy Dingeldine
Chief Operating Officer, Veritas HHS

An expert on project management, process improvement, and change management, Chrissy Dingeldine oversees all full-service child support operations. She is also the lead on change management for the South Carolina statewide child support system implementation. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Veritas HHS.

In her previous employment, Chrissy was in charge of child support operations in nine states and implemented innovations to enhance outcomes and improve customer service. A certified Project Management Professional, she also led data conversion and site support efforts in a highly successful large-scale implementation in Michigan.



35. Kimberly Tissot
President & CEO, Able South Carolina

Kimberly Tissot proudly serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Able South Carolina where she guides the staff in applying the philosophy of independent living to real situations. Kimberly believes in the value of individualized and community-based empowerment as she wants people to recognize their full potential. Under Kimberly’s leadership, Able SC has experienced years of growth, success and has become a nationally recognized Center for Independent Living. Kimberly’s road to disability rights began at an early age, after having her leg amputated from a rare childhood cancer, Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Kimberly began deciding her style of mobility, becoming the first soccer player with a disability in her town, and speaking up anytime she was treated differently. Kimberly has over 20 years of experience advocating for disability inclusion on a local, state, and federal level, and also internationally.

Kimberly holds an undergraduate degree in human development from Boston University, Wheelock College of Education, and an MSW from the University of South Carolina. She also serves as an executive director mentor to other South Carolina nonprofit organizations via the state’s nonprofit association. In addition to Kimberly’s role at Able SC, she has successfully held multiple state-appointed responsibilities, serves on various state and national committees, and is the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living's board president. Kimberly was also the mastermind behind several statewide initiatives that have led to major system changes in South Carolina. Those efforts include SC’s first statewide youth transition conference, Advocacy Day for Access and Independence, SC Disability Employment Coalition, and SC Disability Partners in Disasters to name a few.



36. Elizabeth Regan
Department Chair of Integrated Information Technology & Professor of Health Information Technology, University of South Carolina

Dr. Elizabeth Regan is Chair of the Department of Integrated Information Technology and Associate Professor of Health Information Technology at the University of South Carolina. She is also an adjunct professor at the Arnold School of Public Health. Before joining USC in 2011, she served as chair of the Department of Information Systems, College of Business, at Morehead State University, Kentucky, for 11 years, and as the Elmer and Donna Smith Endowed Chair in Health Systems Management for two years. She serves on the board of directors for the Northeast Kentucky Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) of which she is a founding member and first board chair. The RHIO also serves as the Regional Extension Center for Eastern Kentucky. Dr. Regan served five years on the coordinating council for the Kentucky State Health Information Exchange and on the faculty of the University of Kentucky Medical School Rural Physician Leadership program. She was recently appointed to the national HIMSS Innovation Committee.

Dr. Regan holds a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut and previously held appointments as an adjunct professor at New York University and the University of Connecticut School of Business. She brings to the classroom 16 years of IT management experience to the industry, where she was responsible for many projects involving system design and implementation, end-user computing, knowledge management, and organizational transformation. Current research interests are primarily in the areas of health information technology and exchange and in information technology, innovation, and organizational change. Her projects have been supported by major grants from HRSA, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Innovation Grant, and the US Department of Education. She is the lead author of two college texts on end-user information systems and has published and presented her research in numerous national and international forums.



37. Virginia Tucker
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Dexios Corporation

Virginia Tucker serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Dexios Corporation. Dexios is the award-winning, flexible choice for radiology groups seeking to increase their collections. They are the perfect partner for an easy transition from self-billing to their billing service by making it easy on everyone including the existing staff. They create a customized solution that satisfies any need including a local office, increased collections, reasonable fees, flawless AR conversions, and integration with existing systems. Virginia graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology from Christopher Newport University.


38. Kylie Felker
President and Principal, Foster Victor Wealth Advisors

As the President of Foster Victor, Kylie Felker leads the strategic direction of the firm and encourages innovative ideas to provide world-class planning to clients. She ensures the proper allocation of resources to create successful relationships and encourages the professional development of the FV team through short-term and long-term goal planning. Her favorite part of her job is being surrounded by a team of hard-working and thoughtful professionals who inspire her every day. Kylie also serves as the chief compliance officer, shaping policies and procedures that continue to evolve to reflect the financial industry’s ever-changing regulatory requirements.

Kylie graduated from Furman University with an undergraduate degree in accounting in 2009 and has since been a member of their Young Alumni Council. She was awarded the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional Designation by The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and recently finished her Executive MBA through the University of North Carolina. Kylies serves on the board of the Greenville Local Development Corporation, an organization that strives to stimulate Greenville’s growth and community development through catalytic and economic projects.



39. Carrie Hinnant
Executive Director, Carolina Therapeutics PLLC

Carrie Hinnant is an actively practicing speech-language pathologist and certified autism specialist who treats a diverse patient population, from pediatrics to geriatrics. She is licensed in both North and South Carolina, and in addition to being an executive director, is also a member of Carolina Therapeautics’s Speech & Feeding Teams.

Carrie earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from The College of Charleston, her master’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from South Carolina State University, and her certificate of clinical competencies in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Carrie has recently completed graduate coursework to become a board-certified behavior analyst to better support her team of clinicians and proactively facilitate interdisciplinary therapy services.

Carrie has specialty training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, BITES: A Behavioral InTEgrated with Speech Approach to Feeding Therapy, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, Tobii Dynavox training for AAC Devices, and has received the Award for Continuing Education (ACE) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She also has specialty training in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) while working in conjunction with the staff psychologist at Carolina Therapeutics. One of Carrie’s professional interests is in supporting clinicians and graduate students through providing university lectures on specialty topics and continuing education opportunities at state conventions.



40. Laurie Haughey
Executive Director, Operational Communications, Marketing and Communications, Clemson University

Laurie Haughey brings leadership experiences from two preeminent SC employers to direct operational communications at Clemson University, collaborating with leaders to establish communication priorities and change management communications tied to the University's strategic plan. Previously, Haughey directed communications for all of Clemson’s HR and payroll functions and served as director of operations for HR during its national CHRO search.

Previously, Haughey served as director of education services & marketing for Performance Solutions by Milliken where she led the launch of multiple lead-generating Safety and Operational Excellence conferences. The conferences extended this brand in the market and contributed directly to double-digit growth in clients during this period. Performance Solutions by Milliken is a consulting business within Milliken & Company’s portfolio of businesses working in more than 30 countries around the world.

Earlier, as Clemson’s director of professional advancement and continuing education, Haughey marketed executive education, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, Lean, and other best practices. She also cultivated a consortium of leading SC employers to create and enroll participants in Clemson’s inaugural Leadership Summit for High Potential and Emerging Leaders. Collaborators included BMW, GE Energy, Hubbell, Michelin, Wells Fargo, the City of Greenville, BB&T, RBC Insurance, and Duke Energy.

Haughey penned the preface to Marlene Caroselli’s The Business Ethics Activity Book published by the American Management Association and Steadily Breaking Through Barriers: How Milliken Improves Performance and Innovation for Industry Week magazine. She serves on the board of the Community Foundation of Greater Clemson as chair of its Grants Committee and is past president of South Carolina’s chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.



41. Mary Alexander
Assistant Provost for Academic Administration & Chief of Staff, University of South Carolina

Mary Alexander is the Assistant Provost for Academic Administration and Chief of Staff at the University of South Carolina. She manages the division’s $47 million budget and is responsible for the HR functions for the division, the university’s calendaring office, Military Affairs which includes ROTC, and the Community Engagement office. She has budgetary oversight over all of the USC Columbia academic units and guides on operational issues that are elevated to the Office of Academic Affairs.

Before working at USC, she was employed by the Budget and Control Board as director of revenue management and Department of Health and Human Services as manager of institutional research and statistics. Before her state service, she enjoyed ten years working in private industry, including Wachovia Bank, Columbia Farms, and Yon-Drake and Associates investment consulting firm.

Mary has served as the chair of USC's Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) since 2010. Recently the WLI was recognized with the national leadership award for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education from the American Council on Education. Further, she developed and leads the Executive Leadership Academy at USC. This program prepares highly talented individuals to obtain executive-level leadership positions in higher education institutions. She is committed to building a pathway for underrepresented leaders within the academy and volunteers her time and expertise to help others develop their leadership acumen.

Alexander attended the University of South Carolina and received undergraduate degrees in both finance and management science, a master's in public administration, and a doctorate in education administration with a concentration in higher education. She enjoys teaching administrative leadership and governmental HR in the MPA program at USC. She is most proud of her family; her husband and two daughters.




42. Georgia Mjartan
Executive Director, First Steps South Carolina

Georgia Mjartan is the Executive Director of South Carolina First Steps, a state agency and nonprofit committed to ensuring that all of South Carolina’s children are prepared for success in school. As the leader of the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, Georgia is linking public, private, and nonprofit systems to ensure whole families are supported in their efforts to become successful in school, work, and life. As a significant funder in South Carolina, First Steps provides over $17 million in grants annually to a network of 46 nonprofit affiliates, one in each county, which provide parenting support, increase access to high-quality child care and offer a variety of other evidence-based programs. Georgia also oversees First Steps 4K, an innovative, publicly-funded pre-K program which allows 3000 children annually to participate in free, high-quality, full-day, 4-year-old kindergarten in private, nonprofit, and faith-based centers.

Georgia is a graduate of the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program. She was one of twelve Americans awarded the George Mitchell Scholarship for graduate study on the island of Ireland. As a Mitchell Scholar, she completed a master's degree at the University of Ulster in the UK. Georgia holds undergraduate degrees in English and political science from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.



43. Koshina Legette
Managed Services Director, PwC Columbia, SC

Koshina Legette is a Managed Services Director for PwC’s Columbia, SC office where she leads several professional revenue cycle teams in providing operational support functions for hospitals and medical groups. Her teams operate virtually as an Extended Business Office delivering optimal results and meeting the financial and operational goals of each of their clients. As a PwC Managed Services Director, Koshina remains dedicated to achieving results that drive overall efficiencies and operational success for her clients. She consistently sharpens her expertise and has a knack for connecting the smallest details to business objectives as she applies her diverse healthcare knowledge. She promotes and facilitates a culture of learning and progression even during the most demanding fast-paced periods supported by her business acumen and strategic leadership.

Koshina is recognized as a highly motivated and results-oriented healthcare business professional with a successful track record. Because she thrives on learning and development, she continues to advance her skillset allowing for continued success. She stays abreast of the ever-changing healthcare industry, maintains current knowledge of industry best practices, and is an active member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Koshina served the SC Chapter as CRCA Program Chair for a period of her membership. Her talent for mastering technology has enabled her to perform at optimal levels. She operated as the Payment Application for Single Business Office Access and Revenue Cycle Readiness Lead, ARCR for Epic build and implementation for a large hospital. This role included build and implementation training at EPIC’s facility in Verona, Wisconsin resulting in certification.

Koshina gives back to her community through the mentorship of professionals as they progress through their career journey, and she serves as a resource to her peers and other professionals in the healthcare industry. Her relationships are grounded in trust, transparency, and knowledge sharing. Koshina inspires others to present their best selves every day as they develop their personal and professional brand.



44. Shaniece Criss
Associate Professor & Graduate Program Director, Furman University

Dr. Shaniece Criss is an Associate Professor and public health researcher in the Health Sciences Department at Furman University. She is also the director of the Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies, which is an innovative program for problem-solvers and leaders who want academic and applied expertise to enhance their communities.

As a founding member of the Big Data for Health Equity Research Collaborative, Shaniece works with university researchers from across the country to investigate how societal issues impact health. At Furman, she partners with the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and serves as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Dr. Criss is an elected official on Travelers Rest City Council and serves on the board of directors for Prisma Health. As a public health practitioner, she served as producer and host of a national television show for the Ministry of Health in Guyana during her Peace Corps service. She graduated with a doctorate from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, master's degrees from Harvard Kennedy School and Emory University, and an undergraduate degree from Oglethorpe University. 



45. Ellen Hart
Regulatory and Business Controls Director, 1st Franklin Financial

Ellen Hart is the Regulatory and Business Controls Director with the Compliance Department at 1st Franklin Financial Corporation and specializes in regulatory compliance in the subprime/near prime lending space. 1FFC is known as the Friendly Franklin Folks among its community of branches throughout the Southeast. As a family-owned company for over 80 years, 1FFC has worked with generations of families to provide them with the funds they need when they need them the most.

At 1FFC, Hart oversees regulatory licensing, examinations, complaints, and vendor management programs and is also skilled in change management, risk mitigation and remediation, customer service, and leadership. One of Hart’s favorite professional interests is studying complex regulations and translating them into plain language to educate line-of-business partners and branch staff members to better operationalize regulatory requirements.

Before joining the 1FFC family, Hart utilized her decade-long experience working in the financial services industry at other organizations such as World Finance, Heights Finance, and Genesis Financial Solutions. Hart is committed to using her cheerful demeanor and servant's heart to encourage and help others succeed in all aspects of life. Hailing from the Upstate of South Carolina, Hart is a two-time Clemson University graduate, receiving her undergraduate degree in Spanish and MBA from the esteemed University.



46. Linda Walder
Co-Founder, President & Executive Director, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation

Linda J. Walder is the Co-Founder, President, and Executive Director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for Adult Autism which was established in 2002 as a continuing legacy and honor in the name of her son, Daniel Jordan Fiddle who passed away at the age of nine. It was Linda’s vision that started a movement to embrace the fact that Autism is lifelong and that the diverse population of adults should be valued as individuals as a matter of human rights. Linda’s unique hands-on approach to developing, advocating for, and funding programs, creating resources, and most recently designing the first adult Autism focused endowment funds at leading United States universities, has blazed a trail that will guarantee innovation concentrating on adult Autism now, and for generations to come.

Linda has received over 20 honors of recognition for her visionary and inspiring efforts that opened doors for Autistic adults to have opportunities to work, live and recreate in their communities. Linda works tirelessly with legislators in Washington, DC, and on the statewide level to develop public policy that supports the needs of individuals and families affected by Autism. Collaboratively, Linda has spearheaded the creation of much-needed resources such as a pocket transportation troubleshooting guide that promotes independent use of buses and trains to a guide on the prevalent co-morbid condition of Autism and Epilepsy, to name a few.

Linda is also a writer and motivator using her blog Autism for a Lifetime: Finding Joy in the Journey, and her numerous published articles, and appearances on television and other media as a means of fostering awareness about adult Autism and promoting thoughtful discourse on prevalent issues. In 2016, Linda joined the editorial board of Autism Spectrum News. That same year, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award was established in partnership with the Autism Society of America as an enduring source of inspiration to the Autism community and beyond recognizing the strengths and talents of adults with Autism, and those who exemplify leadership through their supportive endeavors.



47. Cathy Stevens
Senior Associate, Riley Institute

Cathy Stevens is a Senior Associate with the Riley Institute. In this role, she serves as an advisor to and representative of the Riley Institute with particular emphasis on the work of the Center for Education Policy and Leadership. She offers counsel to the directors of the Riley Institute’s after-school and summer and facilitates connections among them and state and national individuals and organizations involved in after-school and summer learning.

Before her current role, Stevens served as the director of after-school and summer learning initiatives at the Institute and was the director of the White-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy Fellowship for eleven years. She has also served as a member of the selection committee for the Diversity Leaders Initiative.

Cathy is a member of the board of directors for Family Connection of South Carolina and is passionate about disability advocacy and policy in support of individuals with disabilities. She holds an undergraduate degree in English from Furman University and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Clemson University.



48. Leslie Skardon
Director of Client Partnership, Global Prairie

Leslie Skardon serves as Director of Client Partnership and runs the Charleston office of Global Prairie, an international purpose-driven marketing firm. In her role, she oversees a $1.5 million portfolio of revenue, successfully leading strategic insights, purpose-definition, and branding and communications projects for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and the federal government.

Beyond her professional career, Leslie is the founder of Charleston Civil Rights and Civics, an immersive educational program for high school freshmen to teach the untold civil rights history of the Lowcountry. Leslie was recently appointed by the Mayor of Charleston to serve on the City’s Commission on Women. She is an active board member and advocate for the League of Women Voters, and has been a champion for the International African American Museum through her service on their Interfaith Advisory Committee. Leslie sits on the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Policy Committee and is a graduate of their Leadership Charleston program. She was recently appointed to the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative fellow.



49. Christina Tran
Director of Finance and Project Management, Contender Development

Christina is a Greenville native currently serving as Contender Development’s Director of Finance and Project Management. Before joining Contender, Christina spent 7 years in wealth management and finance where she provided holistic relationship management using portfolio analysis, financial forecasting, and a goals-based approach to ensure clients’ financial success.

Christina attended Arizona State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in international business and finance. Outside of the office, you can catch her hiking with her dog, reading a good history book, or at a cycle class.



50. Kathleen Trewhella-Grant
Executive Director, Five Oaks Academy

Kathleen is a founding member of Five Oaks Academy. She began her career at Five Oaks Academy as an educational consultant as the concept of the school was being formed. She fell in love with the project and became the Executive Director when the school opened in 2003. Kathleen began teaching in 1987 and became an acting director of a Montessori school in 1994. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and anthropology from the University of SC. She holds 3-6 certifications in primary education from St. Nicholas Montessori Training Center based in London and Maitland, Florida.

Kathleen serves as a member of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society, MEPI, Learning and the Brain, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, She is an educational consultant and has presented at state, national, and international workshops and conferences. Kathleen has been a presenter at IMC, AMS, SCMA, MEPI, and Polski Instytut Montessori Leadership Workshop (The Polish Institute of Montessori).