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 2023. The 61 individuals will be the 50th graduating class since the program was founded in 1972.
"This year marks a historic moment for the Leadership Columbia program," says Columbia Chamber President and CEO, Carl Blackstone. "For 50 years, over 2,200 leaders have made their impact on the greater Columbia region. The class of 2023 is poised to continue that legacy," 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 2022-2023 Class Roster:
| Adam | Ribock | MGC Law |
| Amanda | Hamilton | Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands |
| Ana | Sazonov | Columbia Jewish Federation |
| Angelo | Amore | Mark Anthony Brewing |
| Anika | Thomas | Richland Library |
| Anita | Murphy | Grow Financial Federal Credit Union |
| Austin | Floyd | Alverno College |
| Beverly | Bowers | NP Strategy |
| Brian | Colclough | Synovus Bank |
| Brittany | Clark | Nexsen Pruet, LLC |
| Caleb | Buchanan | Prisma Health |
| Camillia | Leacock | SC Department of Health & Environmental Control |
| Caroline | Edwards | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina |
| Christian | Markle | Healthy Learners |
| Gene | Bell | McMillan Pazdan Smith |
| Hannah | Kay | Experience Columbia |
| Heather | Lozynski | Unum/Colonial Life |
| Howard | Knapp | S.C. State Election Commission |
| Jacqui | Branch | City Year |
| James | Rogers | Wilson Kibler, Inc. |
| Jeff | Bigwarfe | Beck Vision, LLC |
| Jennifer | Fallaw | South Carolina Federal Credit Union |
| Jeremy | Laughead | Oliver Gospel Mission |
| John | Coleman | Red Rock Developments |
| Jordan | Gray | S.D. Clifton Construction, Inc. |
| Jordan | Crapps | Gallivan White & Boyd |
| Joseph | Meyers, Jr. | AARP South Carolina |
| Joseph | Toledo | Magnus Development Partners |
| Julius | Weathers | THS Constructors |
| Kelsey | Carmichael | Experience Columbia |
| Kena | Dill | United Way of the Midlands |
| Kendrick | Reed | University of South Carolina |
| Kerin | Gibson | Founders Federal Credit Union |
| Kevin | Wimberly | SC UpLift Community Outreach |
| Kiley | Prevatte | FIT Columbia |
| Kimberly | Humphrey | Richland County Government |
| Lara | Moore | Lexington Medical Center |
| Lee | Tupper | HDR Engineering, Inc. |
| Lindsey | Miles | Nephron Pharmaceuticals |
| Liza | Brockman | Garvin Design Group |
| Maggie | Herring | Parker Poe Consulting |
| Mary Kate | Korpita | Flock and Rally |
| Matthew | Cauthen | The Shiver Group |
| Melanie | Matthews | Modern Exterminating Company, Inc. |
| Michael | Lewis | Stanley Martin Homes |
| Mickie | Hoover | SEED Architecture |
| Pamela | Green | Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity |
| Patrick | Kelly | Richland County Public Defender's Office |
| President | Chisolm | Palmetto GBA |
| Randi | Branham | Elliot Davis, LLC. |
| Rebecca | Spence | Columbia Chamber |
| Ronald | Johnson | First Citizens Bank |
| Sara | Caudle | Anchor Investment Management, LLC. |
| Sean | Battle | Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. |
| Shawn | Daley | Department of Defense / South Carolina Air National Guard |
| Shayla | Riley | Coldwell Banker Realty |
| Sonya | Lakin | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina |
| Taylor | Oxedine | Central Carolina Realtors Association |
| Terrance | Tucker | The T.U.C.K Project |
| Turner | McCaffrey | Miller Valentine Construction |
| Tyra | McBride | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. |
| Virginia | Jacques | MPA Strategies |
"We are thrilled to introduce the Class of 2023, a truly outstanding group of individuals, who have the distinction of being the Chamber's 50th Leadership Columbia class," said David Looper, President of Furniture Services, Inc. and Leadership Columbia Advisory Board (LCAB) chair. "They have already shown their commitment to lead and become change-agents for our community, and we are excited to welcome them to the Leadership Columbia network."
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 45 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 Leah Kelly at 803.733.1146.
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.