A Graduation Highlight + Year in Review
On November 12, we gathered in Columbia for the 2025 SCHBC Fellowship Graduation Luncheon—an afternoon of connection, insight, and celebration as we recognized this year’s Leadership Fellows and reflected on the journey we’ve taken together over the past year.
We were honored to have Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann join us and share his support for the work SCHBC is leading across South Carolina. Each Fellow offered a short reflection during the luncheon—thoughtful, honest, and a powerful reminder of the impact this program has within organizations and communities statewide.
Graduation Luncheon
Congratulations to Our 2025 SCHBC Leadership Fellows
April Slinkard – City of Charleston
Bree Slauscius – Hinge Health
Brian Head – Mount Pleasant Waterworks
Christa Porth – Landmark Construction
Dave D’Alessio – Spero Financial
Jodiannah Rish Peruski – JTEKT North America
Joy Drago – Novant Health
Kristin Randolph – Access Healthcare
Tara Branham – TM Floyd
Will Escoe – The Onyx Group | Tribe513
Zoe Watkins – South Carolina Federal Credit Union
We are grateful for the engagement and leadership each Fellow brought to this year’s cohort—showing up with curiosity, courage, and a shared commitment to building healthier, more connected workplaces across South Carolina.
Fellowship Year in Review
Kickoff Session | Palmetto Club | Columbia
The Fellowship year began with a full program designed to ground the cohort in connection and purpose. Fellows met one another, introduced their organizations, and participated in photography, icebreakers, and a comprehensive SCHBC overview. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette joined the group to share insights on leadership and workforce wellbeing. The session concluded with expectations for the Fellowship and time for reflection and discussion.
Session Two | Thornblade Club | Greenville
This session focused on deepening relationships and exploring leadership at both the personal and organizational level. Fellows participated in a guided round-robin check-in, shared reflections from Spring seminars and mentor meetings, and engaged in a facilitated session led by Dr. Anna Fitch Courie on “Leading Well: Self. People. Places.” The afternoon included a reflective walk-and-talk and discussion of Nature at Work and SC7 opportunities.
Session Three | Harbor Entrepreneur Center | Mount Pleasant
The third gathering brought Fellows together to reflect on insights from the Blue Zones Challenge and reconnect as a cohort. The session featured a meaningful conversation with Dr. Rachel Brown, whose reflections on leadership, purpose, and navigating transition sparked thoughtful dialogue that resonated deeply with the group.
The Fellowship concluded with group reflections and a look ahead at upcoming SCHBC and Nature at Work opportunities.
