Carolina Leadership Seminars

Since 2016, Carolina Leadership Seminars has established itself as a trusted, multi-faceted leadership development program designed exclusively for nonprofit executive directors. Over 150 SC executive directors have participated since the program's inception. Meet the 2022 Cohort of recent graduates.

Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC provided the initial grant funding, inspiration, and support for the first three years and continues to host our convenings, often joining to share their insights. 

We appreciate the scholarship support provided by SC First Steps, United Way of the Midlands, and other funders. 

Each cohort is limited to 25 to 30 participants who engage in candid and confidential discussions with peers regarding their organization’s current performance and their personal leadership challenges.

Charles C. Weathers, MBA, founder & President of The Weathers Group, designs and leads seminar sessions with his colleague, Rieta Drinkwine. 

Under Charle's tutelage and with input from Together SC staff, each session offers practical tools and actionable insights to improve your leadership, effectively steward your organization, spur your resolve to advance race equity, and increase your impact. Session topics are provided in detail below. 

Focusing on what you need to know, the challenges of starting a new job, management issues, crisis management, and race equity issues are now part of this comprehensive learning opportunity.  
 

Our Facilitators

Charles C. Weathers, MBA, founder & President of The Weathers Group, is a nationally known speaker, writer, and consultant who is a recognized expert on nonprofit leadership, organizational effectiveness, and performance improvement.

Rieta Drinkwine, MLS, MCRP, PhD (ABD), Senior Associate at The Weathers Group, evaluates business needs and assists organizations in making innovative changes to existing systems or developing new strategies that benefit the organization and those they serve.

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

Fall 2023 Schedule
  • There will be five monthly sessions for the Fall 2023 Carolina Leadership Seminars.
  • These Friday in-person sessions will run from 10am to 2pm and include lunch. 
  • The session topics are presented below. Please be sure you can attend all sessions before registering.  
  • The Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC will host our gatherings. They are located at 2711 Middleburg Drive, Columbia, SC.
  • The cost of this opportunity is $500
2023 Session Dates & Topics

Aug.  11 - 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.  

Sept. 8  - 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.

Oct. 13 - 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.

Nov.  3 - 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.

Dec. 8 - 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.

Apply for the 2023 Cohort Here !

2022 Carolina Leadership Seminars Cohort

2022 Carolina Leadership Seminars Cohort
Carla Angus

Carla Angus

Executive Director of Dramatic Coffee Beans, Dramatic Coffee Beans

Elise Ashby

Elise Ashby

Executive Director, RobinHood Group

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(864)427-1530

Candace Berry-Vaughn

Candace Berry-Vaughn

Executive Director, Orangeburg County Community of Character

Barbara Black

Barbara Black

Founder/CEO, Lydia's Bowels of Mercy Home, Inc

Michael Brown

Michael Brown

Executive Director, Sustaining Way

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(864)494-0003

Jess Burgess

Jess Burgess

Chief Executive Officer, Greenville Center for Creative Arts

Phillip Clark

Phillip Clark

CEO/Executive Director, Just Say Something

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(864)467-4099

Nicole Glenn

Nicole Glenn

Executive Director, Union County First Steps

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864-426-2519

Tricia Gordon

Tricia Gordon

Executive Director, Barnwell County First Steps

Dylan Gunnels

Dylan Gunnels

Executive Director, Haven Home Foundation (Haven Home)

Anthony Howell

Anthony Howell

Interim Executive Director, Lancaster County First Steps

Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson

Executive DIrector, Drawing Near to God

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(843)284-4328

Kristopher Jones

Kristopher Jones

Foundation Executive Director, Brookland Foundation

Nancy Landerman

Nancy Landerman

Executive Director, The Haven Men's Shelter

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(803)328-1143

Angela Hurks

Angela Hurks

President & CEO, Step By Step Ministry Hope Project

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(864)315-3730x0

Lynn McCollum-Lasher

Lynn McCollum-Lasher

Physical Therapist

Executive Director, Let's Walk

Dee Anne Miller

Dee Anne Miller

Executive Director, Orangeburg County Council on Aging

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(803)531-4663

Henry Miller

Henry Miller

Executive Director , The Samaritan House

Jonathan Nazeer

Jonathan Nazeer

CEO, Victory Gardens International

Rachel Price

Rachel Price

Executive Director, Junior League of Columbia

Shelley Price

Shelley Price

LMSW

Executive Director, GRASP

Comeletia Pyatt

Comeletia Pyatt

Executive Director, Mingo Creek Academy

Cindye Richburg- Cotton

Cindye Richburg- Cotton

CEO , Brookland Center for Community Economic Change Foundation

Corinne Sferrazza

Corinne Sferrazza

Executive Director, Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill

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(803)326-2463

Alyssa Smith

Alyssa Smith

Interim Executive Director , Charleston Wine + Food

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(843)727-9998

LaTisha Vaughn

LaTisha Vaughn

Chief Operating Officer, E3 Educate, Empower, Elevate

Andrea White

Andrea White

Executive Director , Food Bank of Greenwood County

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(864)227-1556

Patsy Whitney

Patsy Whitney

Executive Director, St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic

LeTanya Williams

LeTanya Williams

Executive Director, Battered Not Broken

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803-385-2290

Charles Weathers

Charles Weathers

MBA,, Certified Virtual Presenter (CVP)

Founder & CEO, The Weathers Group

Lead Facilitator

Rieta Drinkwine

Rieta Drinkwine

Senior Associate, The Weathers Group

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(803)400-1991

Co-Facilitator

Jessica Cohen

Jessica Cohen

Chief Strategist & Owner, Spark Solutions Coaching & Consulting

Assessment Coordinator

Desmonies White

Desmonies White

MSW

Events & Program Manager, Together SC

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(803)929-0399x5

Participant Support Contact

Madeleine McGee

Madeleine McGee

President/CEO, Together SC

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(803)929-0399x11

Together SC President