Workshops and Speakers Announced for 2019 PIQUE Young Professionals Summit

Mar 7, 2019 | Staying on Top, Young Professionals in the Upstate

GREENVILLE, S.C.– Ten at the Top’s (TATT) fourth annual PIQUE: Young Professionals Elevating the Upstate Summit, presented by ScanSource, is set to include many regional business leaders for its workshops and roundtables. This event focuses on the collaboration and connection of young professionals (ages 21-40) in the ten counties comprising the Upstate community.

“There are many dynamic young professionals as well as a number of young professional groups located here in the Upstate,” said Ten at the Top Executive Director Dean Hybl. “We started this event in 2016 as a way for young professionals from across our region to connect with each other and also with executives and community leaders who are engaged today in shaping the Upstate. The young professionals of today are the executives and decision-makers of tomorrow and PIQUE is a great annual opportunity for our young leaders to grow their engagement and connections around issues that are impacting the Upstate.”

Event workshops will feature the following:

Executive Networking Roundtables

Young leaders have a thirst for knowledge, advice, and mentorship. This workshop will feature an interactive session of roundtable networking. Established business and community leaders (executives) from all sectors, regardless of age, will be invited to lead a discussion about how they got where they are, how they found what they needed to successful and the barriers they have overcome to reach success. Due to the popularity of this workshop, it will be offered during both workshop sessions.

• Carol Burdette, CEO, United Way of Anderson County
• Karen Burgess, Campus President, ECPI University
• Tracey Boucher, Vice President, Supplier Service Networking & Security, ScanSource
• Val Carolin, President & CEO, Salem Media Group
• Chris Corley, Owner, Corley Plumbing Air & Electric
• Roy Costner, Chairman, Pickens County Council
• David Feild, Market President, Colliers International
• Danielle Gibbs, Regional Director, U.S. Senator Tim Scott
• Angelle LaBorde, President & CEO, Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce
• Hank McCullough, Senior Manager of Government Relations, Piedmont Natural Gas Company
• Mark McKinney, General Manager, Cintas Corporation
• Ken Peterson, Senior Director Human Resources, ScanSource
• Laurie Rovin, Executive Director, A Child’s Haven
• Allen Smith, President & CEO, Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce
• Walker Smith, Director, Advocacy & Community Relations, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
• Paige Stephenson, President & CEO, United Way of the Piedmont
• Brian Ziegelheafer, Executive Director, BGEN

Developing Executive Courage
Most young leaders aspire to reach the executive level within their careers, which takes courage and resilience along the way. In this workshop, Chunsta Miller, General Manager of the Anderson Mall, will share her 20 years of retail experience and journey to becoming an executive. Miller will discuss the challenges and opportunities she has dealt with at her current position and how she stays courageous when faced with tough decisions.

Lions, Tigers, Millennials – Oh My!
A panel consisted of a Baby Boomer (1944-1964), a Gen-Xer (1965-1979), and a Millennial (1980-1994) will be discussing the spoken and unspoken generational differences in the workplace. This group of professionals will focus on sharing the positives and negatives of working alongside other generations with the goal of learning that people may be more alike than they realize.

Speakers are set to include:

• Daja Dial, Marketing and Communications Manager, Oconee Economic Alliance
• Stacey Flax, Senior Strategic Communications Coordinator, Renewable Water Resources (Re-Wa)
• Barry Nocks, PhD, FAICP, Graduate Professor in City & Regional Planning, Clemson University
• Moderator: Alex Moore, Director of Marketing and Communications, United Way of the Piedmont

Moving up the Ladder
Young professionals constantly think about the “next step,” whether that be a promotion, pay increase or increase of responsibility within the workplace. There is no right or wrong way to move up the career ladder, but steps can be taken to be ready for that next big opportunity. This panel will address the steps young professionals can take to prepare for moving up the ladder and flourishing within positions of higher leadership.

Speakers are set to include:

• Leesa Owens, Director of Government and Community Relations, Michelin North America
• Blake Sanders, Planning & Projects Manager City of Easley/Mayor of West Pelzer
• Jermaine Whirl, Vice President of Learning and Workforce Development, Greenville Tech
• Moderator: Todd Horne, VP of Business Development, Clayton Construction

Reading Between the Lines: Creating a Positive Conversation Within the Workplace
Creating a culture of open and positive communication is a priority for employers. Miscommunication between bosses, peers, and subordinates can often be stressful for all parties involved and detrimental to overall productivity. This panel seeks to address communication challenges that often arise in the workplace and give tips on how all parties can work together to create a positive open dialogue.

Speakers are set to include:

• Chris Corley, Owner, Corley Plumbing Air and Electric
• Madison Skinner, Human Resources Manager, ScanSource
• Sharon Wilson, Director of Conscious Leadership Development in the Academy of Leadership and Professional Development, Prisma Health–Upstate
• Moderator:Chad Lawson, Communications Manager, Spartanburg Water

“Young professionals are entering the workplace looking for a culture of growth and development, volunteerism, collaboration, and inclusion,” said John Harvey, Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources at ScanSource. “Companies throughout the Upstate share these values, and through events like PIQUE, employees and regional leaders alike have an opportunity to come together from across county lines, learn about what’s working for neighboring organizations, and create a dialogue around how we can continue to make the Upstate such a great place to live and work.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose their personal agenda between multiple workshops as well as coordinated networking opportunities to meet with an executive in their respective industry or interest area to discuss relevant insights and the attendee’s professional goals. PIQUE tickets cost $25 and may be purchased here. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited.

The 2019 PIQUE Young Professionals Summit will be on Monday, March 25 from 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Greenville ONE Center with a networking reception to follow, featuring live art demonstrations from various Upstate art professionals.

About Ten at the Top
Comprised of public, private and civic leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to connect and encourage regional collaboration through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. For more information, visit www.tenatthetop.org.