Focus on the Future

    Navigating the Future of the Upstate

    Regardless of the sector or location, 2020 has been a trying time for all Upstate entities. As we move into a new year, an uncertain future remains. To help us to better understand some of the ongoing challenges from the pandemic and resulting economic crisis, we have compiled a group of local, regional and state business, government and non-profit leaders who will periodically share their insights on a variety of topics and community issues. By sharing their struggles, successes and continued efforts they will help all Upstate entities better understand and navigate this uncertain future.

    To view the Focus on the Future Panelists, click here.

    Focus on the Future Panelists

    First Name

    Last Name

    Organization

    Position

    Justin

    Benfield

    Prisma Health – Laurens County Hospital

    Chief Executive Officer

    Paul

    Cain

    Oconee County

    Council Member

    Susan

    Cohen

    Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce

    President & CEO

    Neal

    Collins

    S.C. House of Representatives

    Representative

    Mark

    Farris

    Greenville Area Development Corporation

    President & CEO

    David

    Feild

    Colliers International

    Market President

    Angie

    Gossett

    BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

    Regional Marketing

    Sara

    Hazzard

    South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

    President & CEO

    Madeleine

    McGee

    Together SC

    Executive Director

    G.P.

    McLeer

    South Carolina Arts Alliance

    Executive Director

    Kelly

    McWhorter

    Discover Greenwood

    Executive Director

    Amanda

    Munyan

    Laurens County Chamber of Commerce

    President & CEO

    Mamie

    Nicholson

    Self Family Foundation

    President

    Katherine

    O’Neill

    One Spartanburg

    Chief Economic Development Officer

    Chuck

    Saylors

    Greenville County School Board

    Trustee

    Liz 

    Seman

    Greenville County

    Council Member

    Minor

    Shaw

    Daniel-Mickel Foundation

    Chairman

    Katy

    Smith

    Piedmont Health Foundation & Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy

    Executive Director

    Stephen 

    Steese

    City of Easley

    City Manager

    Paige

    Stephenson

    United Way of Piedmont

    President & CEO

    Stephen 

    Taylor

    Abbeville County Economic Development

    Executive Director

    Tim

    Todd

    Discover Upcountry

    Executive Director

    Trentsie

    Williams

    Meg’s House

    Director of Finance

    February 3, 2022: Focus on the Future – Careful Planning in Spartanburg

    January 7, 2022: Focus on the Future – Greenville County K-12 Schools Adjusting to the Post-Pandemic World

    December 15, 2021: Focus on the Future – How Non-profit Foundations Help and Shape the Upstate

    November 10, 2021: Focus on the Future – Making Connections

    October 4, 2021: Focus on the Future – Reflecting Back

    April 20, 2021: Focus on the Future – Reflecting Back and Looking Forward

    January 26, 2021: Focus on the Future – Key Topics for 2021

    January 13, 2021: Focus on the Future – Understanding the “New Normal”

    December 14, 2020: Focus on the Future – Question Set II

    December 14, 2020: Focus on the Future – Question Set I

    December 14, 2020: Focus on the Future Panelists