Leadership Columbia, a Columbia Chamber program, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, for emerging and existing leaders in the Midlands, is pleased to announce the Leadership Columbia Class of 2025. The 60 individuals will be the 52nd graduating class since the program was founded in 1972.
“The Chamber is excited to welcome a new class of professionals to our Leadership Columbia program,” says Columbia Chamber President and CEO, Carl Blackstone. “With over 2,200 members in the alumni network, our next class joins an elite group of leaders,” continued Blackstone.
This group will engage in a 10-month curriculum including monthly class day sessions, a retreat, a class project, and a variety of enrichment activities around the area.
Leadership Columbia Class of 2024-2025 Class Roster:
- Aisha Jones, Community Volunteer/Advocate
- Amber Williams, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Andrew Lisinski, Elliott Davis, LLC
- Anna Gasperecz, Experience Columbia SC Sports/Midlands Authority
- April Clarke, Doctors Care
- Austin Saggus, South Carolina Research Authority
- Avril Lail, University of South Carolina, College of Social Work
- Benjamin Mora, South Carolina Education Lottery
- Brandon Rattray, Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC
- Casey Clyburn, Craft
- Chris Johnson, Lourie Life & Health
- Christopher Sanders, Synovus Bank
- Delaney Morgan, The Highland Company Real Estate
- Devin Barnes, Relationship Banker
- Devin Davidson, University of South Carolina, Business Partnership Foundation
- Duane Harvin, Jr, WIS-TV
- Ericka Hursey, 95 Twenty-Three Educational Consulting
- Grayson Greiner, Colliers International South Carolina
- Hamilton Jacobs, Keller Williams Preferred
- Heather Barry, Richland Library
- Jessica Riley, Allegiance Group
- Jill Iser, Prisma Health
- Jimmy Valentine, Colonial Life
- Jon Michael Williamson, Garvin Design Group
- Joseph Kendrick, Columbia Music Festival Association
- Kate Daly, South Carolina Department of Agriculture
- Kate Shay English, Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Katherine Watts, Lexington Medical Center
- Kelly Riffenburg, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Krista Ergle, Colonial Life
- Lisa Cole, Turning Pages SC
- Loretta Cole-Schwab, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Lynn Hutto, LIH Consulting
- Mari Ross-Alexander, University of South Carolina, Center for Student Health & Well-Being
- Marlo Brayboy, Oliver Gospel Mission
- Matthew Medley, Medical University of South Carolina
- Megan Slavich, McCrory Construction Company
- Michael Shirley, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Michala Newman, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Michele Josey, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Olive Stellpflug, Palmetto GBA
- Paige Mackey, Key Veterinary Services
- Payton Lang, City of Columbia
- Rebecca McMullen, Prisma Health
- Renu Seera, United Way of the Midlands
- Ryan Romano, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
- Salli McCartha, Richland County First Steps
- Sarah Seegars, Richland Library
- Shantrell Mitchell, Central Carolina Community Foundation
- Spencer Hutchinson, Quackenbush Architects & Planners
- Tauren Marshall, Bennett Distribution Services
- Taylor Kearns, NP Strategy
- Tifani Moore, LRADAC
- Timothy McDowell, City of Columbia
- Trey Glenham, City Year
- Trey Murphy, South Carolina Air National Guard
- Ty Westbrook, Global Core Strategies
- Will McGregor, Trinity Partners
- William Koontz, Bluestein Attorneys
- Zach Wilkerson, Servpro of Richland County
“We are excited to introduce this year’s class. The most amazing part about the Leadership Columbia program is that we get the opportunity to watch 60+ leaders from our community grow and develop into better leaders, with a better understanding of the community they serve, and, all the while, they are dedicating time, resources, and in-kind donations to make an incredibly positive impact to a local nonprofit that they can be proud of for years to come,” said Kenneth Givens II, Leadership Columbia Advisory Board Chair.
The class was chosen from combined application and interview scores, each marked by separate groups of Leadership Columbia alumni. The selection criteria included civic involvement, leadership potential, diversity of perspective and commitment to the leadership program and the community.
About Leadership Columbia
Leadership Columbia is an educational program offered through the Columbia Chamber. The 10-month program provides emerging and existing leaders in the Midlands area with an opportunity to enhance their civic knowledge and network. For over 50 years, Leadership Columbia has helped participants better understand the local community, while building relationships with the region's current and future leaders.
For more information on Leadership Columbia, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com or contact Mary Beth Sanderson at 803.733.1124.
About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
To become a Partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.