The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Leadership Institute has announced the 19 participants of its 2024 Leadership Salkehatchie class. This prestigious, regional leadership development program is offered by USC Salkehatchie and sponsored by SouthernCarolina Alliance. Alumni of the program serve as leaders in business, healthcare, education, government, and non-profits across the Salkehatchie region.
The 2024 cohort, as well as graduates from the 2022 and 2023 classes, were recognized at a kick-off event at USC Salkehatchie’s Allendale campus.
“Congratulations to those of you who have participated in and have recently been selected to participate in this prestigious program,” Dean April Cone said. “The Leadership Institute and SouthernCarolina Alliance have a 20+ year history of developing strong leaders in the Salkehatchie region. Your commitment to participate in this program speaks volumes about your investment in yourself and the economic development of our region. It also speaks volumes about your employer’s investment, not only in the economic development of our region, but also in you.”
The members of the 2024 Leadership Salkehatchie class are Jennifer Bryant, Shanda Crawford, Tricia Gordon, Victoria Gunnells, Nancy Gutierrez, Jodi Kearse, Enterick Lee, Stewart McAdoo, Alisha Moore, Tammy Rimes, Victoria Rizer, Keelie Robinson, Lish Sabb, Monique Smalls, Meagan Stoner, Karen Terry, Josh Urwick, Melanie Wooten, and Meredith Wright.
Graduates of the 2022 and 2023 classes who were recognized are Nathan Catoe, Maryann Blake, Michelle Altman, Natalia Johnson, Alicia Davis, Lawerence Wiggins, Christie Slocum, Neil Parsons, James Kearse, Jack Hutto, Graci Hiers, Steven Baker, Sunil Kumar Tadamatla Christopher, Jessica Brabham-James, and Lawanda Patterson.
Cone also introduced one of Salkehatchie’s newest team members, Shelby Broomfield, who was recently named director of USC Salkehatchie’s Leadership Institute and is also a 2019 Leadership Salkehatchie alumnus.
“I look forward to working with the 2024 cohort of Leadership Salkehatchie. During their orientation, the group entered excited and ready to embark on this part of their leadership journey. I am excited to engage with the group over the next few months as they dive into different leadership topics,” Broomfield said. “I would like to congratulate the Leadership Salkehatchie Class of 2022 and 2023 on the major accomplishment of completing this program. I look forward to seeing the impact and change that both classes make in the Salkehatchie region.”
Danny Black, President and CEO of SouthernCarolina Alliance says that this program helps promote the region’s greatest asset - its people.
“SouthernCarolina Alliance is proud to once again partner with USC Salkehatchie in sponsoring this important leadership program. As the regional economic development organization recruiting industries to our seven counties, SCA understands more than most that our people are our region’s greatest asset,” Black said. “We need to foster strong partners who understand the importance of economic development in improving the quality of life for our rural communities, and these are the future and current leaders who will be shaping our communities for decades to come. We are pleased to welcome them to this prestigious program and count them among the transformational leaders in our part of South Carolina.”
The year-long program will include workshops designed to empower participants with the economic development knowledge and the skills needed to cultivate progress within our region. The program highlights the strengths of the Salkehatchie region and explores the obstacles facing small-town America. Program topics include economic development, education, the judicial system, local government, legislative advocacy, leadership skills, and diversity.
