COLUMBIA CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2027 LEADERSHIP COLUMBIA CLASS
58 local individuals selected for 54th class of Chamber’s leadership program
COLUMBIA, S.C. – 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 2027. The 58 individuals will be the 54th graduating class since the program was founded in 1972.
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 2027 Class Roster:
Abby Tolar, Colonial Life
Adam Channell, Amazon
Adam Dalenburg, Bunnell Lammons Engineering (BLE)
Andre Richardson, Allen University
Andrew Chernick, South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission
Anna Kay Prisma Health, inVio Health Network
Antonio Sales, United Way of the Midlands
Brendon Block, Millrace
Brittany Crowley, Children's Trust of South Carolina
Carmen Thomas, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Chelsea Fullerton, Law Offices of Kenneth Berger
Clifton Lawson, Timmons Group
Courtney Smith, University of South Carolina
Dana Wood, FTI Consulting
Donald Clarke, Zeus Industrial Products
Elizabeth Riley, Colliers
Emery Levine, Maynard Nexsen PC
Erin Fitzpatrick, South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Erin Rast, Harvest Hope Food Bank
Gaynelle Dantzler, Keller Williams Preferred
Gilvonni Fulmore, The Hartford
Grayson Miller, PMC Commercial Interiors
Gregory Worley, 169 FW SCANG
Gunnar Burts, Lorem Ipsum Development
Isaiah Hampton, First Heritage Mortgage
James Harris, Smith & Howard, P.C.
James Moore, AMPS Facility Solutions LLP
Jessica Burns, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Jonathan Hinson, Colonial Life
Kaitlyn George, Synovus Bank / Pinnacle Financial Partners
Katie Johnson, Thomas & Hutton Engineering
Kelly Temple, Palmetto GBA
Kieosha Gilmore, Lexington Health
LaTonya Jackson, Richland School District One
Lisa Daniels, Social Security Administration
Luke Grubbs, HUB International
Lynette McNary, City of Columbia
Marcus Hunter, Senior Resources Inc.
Martha Rhodes, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Merideth Barbee, Stantec
Michael Eargle, M.E. Contracting
Michael Smith, Columbia College
Michelle Nicholson, Lexington Health
Monica Hyder, Connectivity Point
Naarah Hardy, W Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs
Neal Olsgaard, CMC
Rachel Bakalich, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Richard Baldwin, Prisma Health
Robert James, First Community Bank SC
Robin Harriford, EdVenture
Rushondra James, University of South Carolina
Samantha Jones, CI Group
Sarah Bucker, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
ShaVon Summers, Confident Communicators, LLC
Stefanie Davis, Community Volunteer & Civic Advocate
Steven Moca, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Sunshine Cobb, Lexington Health
Yair Centeno, South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health
“We couldn’t be more excited to kick off the 2027 cohort of Leadership Columbia with this outstanding group of people! Over the next year, the class will get a behind the scenes look at what makes the Midlands such an incredible place. They’ll hear from high level speakers, grow in their personal & professional leadership, and build community, while making an impact on Columbia,” said Nic Collins, 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.
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