Sustain SC Celebrates Graduation of First Class of SLI Fellows

Press Release

Sustain SC is proud to announce the graduation of the inaugural class of Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) fellows. All 23 participants accepted their certificate of completion at a ceremony on June 2 on Furman University’s campus. It was a milestone moment marking the end of the program, which spans eight months from October to April.

“We are so proud of this incredible group for their dedication, insight and all-in approach to this program,” said Ethel Bunch, President and CEO of Sustain SC. “It’s been a joy getting to know each fellow and see what can be accomplished when sustainability leaders get in the same room together. This is just the beginning of the possibilities here in South Carolina.”

In partnership with Sustain SC, the Furman University Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, launched the SLI last year. The SLI focuses on developing the qualities leaders need to steer South Carolina through unprecedented changes in human and natural communities. Those selected to be part of the exclusive program make up a robust cross-boundary stakeholder network of state leaders with the knowledge, skills, and desire to collaborate and support each other in identifying pathways and executing solutions for a sustainable future.

“Our inaugural class of SLI Fellows has the vision, creativity, and drive to lead South Carolina into a sustainable future,” said Courtney Quinn, Ph.D., Program Director for the Sustainability Leadership Initiative. “Their ability to collaborate across sectors through deep listening and honest conversation is a model for sustainability leadership both locally and globally.”

SLI Fellow and former Sustain SC Board Chair Rob Howell was the keynote speaker at the graduation.

“The SLI fellowship has been a wonderful way to connect with fellow business leaders and conservation practitioners to think about how I can use my role in more sustainable ways,” Howell said.

As a parting gift, the graduating group crafted the Fellows’ Statement of Purpose:

“We are visionaries and collaborators who find and implement transformative strategies at the intersection of commerce and conservation to facilitate systems change. We build trust through sharing ideas, solutions, and best practices while challenging each other and celebrating sustainability successes.”

The inaugural class included the following SLI Fellows:

• Blair Belk, Coca-Cola Consolidated
• Jennifer Calabria, Pacolet Milliken
• Trip Chavis, Milliken Advisors
• Ashley Demosthenes, Lowcountry Land Trust
• Julia Dietz, Audubon
• Stinson Woodward Ferguson, The Anthony Law Firm
• Chantal Fryer, SC Department of Commerce
• Lilyn Hester, Google
• Rob Howell, Avison Young
• Tom Hutto, GEL Engineering
• Susan Johnson, The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
• Danny Kassis, Dominion Energy
• Maurie Lawrence, Milliken & Company
• Jennifer Mapes, Sage Automotive
• Mark Messersmith, SC Ports Authority
• Anne-Marie Moehering, Harper Construction
• Cassidy Murphy, SC Farm Bureau
• Jim Posda, GEL Engineering
• Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco
• Susie Shannon, SC Council on Competitiveness
• Travis Tarbet, BMW
• Dale Threatt-Taylor, The Nature Conservancy – South Carolina
• Pam Vaughn, Owens Corning

Successful participants are certified as Sustainability Leadership Fellows for the next three years and remain part of an active and tight-knit network of sustainability leaders. Applications for the next SLI class are open until August 15. Interested candidates can apply here.

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