Carolina Leadership Seminars


Program Design 

Since 2016, Carolina Leadership Seminars (CLS) has established itself as a trusted, multi-faceted leadership development program designed exclusively for nonprofit executive directors. Hundreds of SC executive directors have participated since the program's inception. 

Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC provided the initial grant funding, inspiration, and support for the first three years. We also appreciate the scholarship support provided by Central Carolina Community Foundation.  

Each cohort is limited to 30 - 40 participants who engage in candid and confidential discussions with peers regarding their organization’s current performance and their personal leadership challenges. 

 A unique curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of executives participating in every session.

All sessions offer practical tools and actionable insights to improve your leadership, help you effectively steward your organization, and increase your impact.

Focusing on what you need to know -  whether it's the challenges of starting a new job, governance concerns, crisis management, or race equity issues - these timely subjects are all a part of this comprehensive learning opportunity.  

 

Our Facilitators

The Weathers Group (TWG) provides creative, interactive learning opportunities for participants to address current organizational and leadership challenges in a confidential, open-dialogue learning environment and brave space. 

TWG's Founder, Charles C. Weathers, MBA, is a nationally known speaker, writer, and consultant who is a recognized expert on nonprofit leadership, organizational effectiveness, and performance improvement.  The TWG Team has assisted hundreds of South Carolina organizations with developing new strategies for innovative change.  Co-Facilitating with Charles are TWG Associates, including executive professionals who are experts in adult learning, management, and leadership development.  

  
Program Details
  • 2026 Session Dates: August 20. Sept 24. Oct 23. Nov 20. Dec 10 + Graduation
  • Five monthly sessions from 10 am - 2 pm, including lunch
  • Past session topics are listed below. 
  • Please be sure you can attend all sessions before registering.
  • Sessions will take place in Columbia, SC.
  • The cost of this opportunity is $550. 
  • The application period for the 2026 cohort is open.
  • Limited scholarships are available for Midlands nonprofits, provided by Central Carolina Community Foundation. 
  • If you would like to sponsor your grantees, please reach out to Benjamin@togethersc.org

Past Session Topics

The Board/CEO Relationship: Teamwork From the Top

The relationship between the Board and the CEO can make or break an organization. High trust, understanding, clarity, and accountability are just a few traits that can strengthen this vital relationship. During this session, participants learn to identify approaches that ban nurturing meaningful relationships with their Board, as well as recommendations on repairing a damaged Board/CEO relationship.  

Leading Through Effective Communication

People frequently complain about a lack of communication on the job or in relationships and the inability of others to communicate. We have found that there is rarely a LACK of communication but a lack of understanding about the many factors influencing communication. So how do we transform our dysfunctional communication styles into effective and productive interactions with others?

Through this session, participants will be equipped to communicate effectively and pointedly with various individuals and groups and better prepared to maintain composure in challenging situations.

Cultivating a High-Trust Culture

According to Stephen M. R. Covey in his critically acclaimed book, The Speed of Trust, trust is more than an admirable social virtue. It is a quantifiable, hard-edged economic factor that impacts daily decisions and results. This session highlights the value of developing high-trust relationships and the cost of low-trust relationships.

Leaders who cultivate and maintain high-trust relationships are much more likely to experience success in life, both professionally and personally.

Navigating Organizational Change

Organizations that navigate change have a greater chance of remaining relevant, viable, and competitive. Your ability to navigate change will contribute to your success as well as the success of your organization.

This session allows participants to explore approaches they can employ to recognize better and navigate organizational, economic, social, and political changes.

Celebratory Lunch with Board Chairs and Funders

Board chairs and chairs-elect are invited to join participants for a day of shared learning, lunch, and conversations with funding partners.

Carolina Leadership Sponsors

  • Dominion Energy

    Dominion Energy

    400 Otarre Parkway MC-B231
    Cayce, SC 29033

    Graduation Sponsor

2026 Class of Carolina Leadership Seminar

  • Adrien Lake

    Adrien Lake

    Executive Director, Jus Justice

    View Profile

    (803)476-5087

  • Amy Reeves

    Amy Reeves

    CEO, Mission Lexington

  • Ashley Simmons

    Ashley Simmons

    Executive Director, Bridges to a Brighter Future/Furman University

  • Caryn Pumphrey

    Caryn Pumphrey

    Executive Director, Free Medical Clinic, Inc.

    View Profile

    (803)765-1503 x207

  • Celestial Davis

    Celestial Davis, EdD, YSCA, GCDF

    Executive Director, W.R.A.P. We Are At Promise Youth Academy

  • Hannah Jarrett

    Hannah Jarrett

    Director of A Place to Call Home, United Way of the Piedmont

  • Jasmine Vanadore

    Jasmine Vanadore

    Executive Director, Bike Walk Greenville

  • Jennifer Young

    Jennifer Young

    Interim Executive Director, Columbia Green

  • Jessica Harrell

    Jessica Harrell

    Executive Director & CEO, South Carolina Tennis Association

  • Kate Ledbetter

    Kate Ledbetter

    Executive Director, Media Reform SC

  • La Ruchala Murphy

    La Ruchala Murphy

    Executive Director, Sumter County Gallery of Art

  • Latorrie Geer

    Latorrie Geer

    Chief Executive Officer, CommunityWorks Carolina

    View Profile

    (864)235-6331 x522

  • Luz Giraldo

    Luz Giraldo

    Founder & CEO, NextGen Bilingual Academy

  • Madelyn Smith

    Madelyn Smith

    Executive Director, Home Works of America, Inc.

  • Marie McDonald

    Marie McDonald, MBA

    Executive Director, Girls on the Run Upstate

  • Mark Weller

    Mark Weller

    Executive Director - South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service (AmeriCorps SC), United Way Association of SC

  • Marrio Norman

    Marrio Norman

    Executive Director, The Optimist Shift Foundation Inc

  • Melanie Gearhart

    Melanie Gearhart

    Executive Director, Center for Developmental Services

  • Michel'le Cathey

    Michel'le Cathey

    Associate Director, The ARK of SC

  • Najeema Davis Washington

    Najeema Davis Washington, MPA

    Community Research Director, Charleston Community Research to Action Board (CCRAB)

  • Rhonda Bush

    Rhonda Bush, MHR, MML

    Founder & Executive Director, Girl, Get Up Society

  • Sandi Smith

    Sandi Smith, MBA, A/OGA, CERI/SLDI

    Executive Director, Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate

  • Stephanie Cureton

    Stephanie Cureton

    Executive Director, Dance Collaborative

  • Stephen Schabel

    Stephen Schabel

    President and CEO, Center for Birds of Prey

  • Tiffany Slaughter Knight

    Tiffany Slaughter Knight

    Executive Director, St. Christopher's Children Inc

  • Toy Raquel Pilot

    Toy Raquel Pilot

    Executive Director, South Carolina Respite Coalition

  • Wanda Jackson

    Wanda Jackson, President

    Executive Director/CEO, House Provisions Family Shelter and Transition Center Inc.