Removing Our Blinders: United We Stand with John C. Miller, CEO of Denny's
Join John C. Miller the CEO of Denny’s for a candid conversation about race. He will share his perspectives as the leader of one of America's largest franchised full-service restaurant chains. The 68-year-old company is shaped by a simple philosophy: We Love to Feed People: Body, Mind, and Soul. Denny’s demonstrates this commitment everyday with its holistic corporate responsibility approach and its intentionality around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It has been a complicated journey, but today under Miller’s leadership there is much to celebrate. Denny's board includes 55% leaders of color and 44% women. 75% of its workforce and 80% of its managers are people of color. In addition, more than 50% of its franchises are minority-owned. Miller will share how these milestones became a reality.
Miller will also discuss his role as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private historically black university, owned and operated by African Americans. He will discuss what this means to him personally.
For a local perspective, Paige Stephenson, president, and CEO of United Way of the Piedmont (UWP) will join the conversation. She will ask about the “why” behind Miller’s ongoing support of UWP’s work. Notably, Denny’s runs one of UWP‘s top 5 workplace campaigns, and Miller himself wrote and read a thank you poem at the 2021 Campaign Wrap Up. Stephenson and Miller will discuss the importance of philanthropy and how it drives him personally and professionally.
John C Miller
CEO, Denny's
Paige Stephenson
President & CEO, United Way of the Piedmont
Attendees (45)
Aaron Stroud-Romero
VP of Field Operations
OneWorld Health
Abby Harwell
Communications Specialist VISTA
United Way of the Piedmont
Alana Jordan
Development Manager
Together SC
Alana Stroker
Colonial Life
Alyssa McKenzie
Development Officer
Chapman Cultural Center
Amie Cooper
Executive Director
Flourishing Families SC
Amy Breault
Executive Director
Horry County First Steps
Beth De Santis
CEO
Fact Forward
Brooke Robertson
Graphic Designer | Developer
Neue South Collective
Bryant Davis
Assistant Director of Government & Community Serv
Richland County Government and Community Services
Carolyn Smith
AmeriCorps and VISTA Program Manager
United Way of the Piedmont
Charlotte Lynch
Outreach coordinator
Carolina Youth Development Center
Cheryl O'Donnell
Executive Director
Florence Crittenton Programs of SC
DeBarbara Robinson
Director of Library Experience, Branches
Richland Library
Debbie Nelson
Chief Learning Officer
Together SC
Ebony Young
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Chair
Junior League of Columbia and Shifting Solutions Consulting LLC
Ericka Wooten
Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC
Greta Young
Executive Director
The Parenting Place
Julie Hussey
CEO
Civic Communications LLC
Justin Borrero
IT Support
SOS Care
Karen Addy
Development Coordinator
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS)
Kat Hanold
Director of First Impressions & Logistics
Spartanburg County Foundation
Kate Mayer
Director of Development
Women's Rights and Empowerment Network
Kimberly Humphrey
GCS Relations Associate
Richland County Government and Community Services
Lakita Watson
Executive Director
Women in Parks and Recreation
LaTonya Boyd
Executive Director
Chester County First Steps
Lauren Luneckas
Executive Director
Children's Museum of the Upstate
Leigh Thomson
Deputy Director
Dorchester Seniors, Inc.
Madeleine McGee
President/CEO
Together SC
Paige Stephenson
President & CEO
United Way of the Piedmont
Rena Dixon
Director of Health Services
Fact Forward
Sarah Goode
Prevention Education Coordinator
Pathways to Healing
Summer Tebalt
Director
AccessHealth Spartanburg
Tatjana Beylotte
Executive Director
Charleston Jazz
Terri Towle
Director of Fund Development
Leeza's Care Connection
Theresa Bowles
Volunteer
Angels Charge Ministry
Tom Swanciger
Executive Director
Father to Father, Inc.
Tonya Matthews
President and CEO
International African American Museum (IAAM)
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