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)
Karen Addy
Development Coordinator
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS)
Tatjana Beylotte
Executive Director
Charleston Jazz
Justin Borrero
IT Support
SOS Care
Theresa Bowles
Volunteer, Past Board Chair
Angels Charge Ministry
LaTonya Boyd
Executive Director
Chester County First Steps
Amy Breault
Executive Director
Horry County First Steps
Amie Cooper
Executive Director
Flourishing Families SC
Bryant Davis
Assistant Director of Government & Community Serv
Richland County Government and Community Services
Beth De Santis
CEO
Fact Forward
Rena Dixon
Director of Health Services
Fact Forward
Sarah Goode
Prevention Education Coordinator
Pathways to Healing
Kat Hanold
Director of First Impressions & Logistics
Spartanburg County Foundation
Abby Harwell
Communications Specialist VISTA
United Way of the Piedmont
Kimberly Humphrey
GCS Relations Associate
Richland County Government and Community Services
Julie Hussey
CEO
Civic Communications LLC
Alana Jordan
Development & Membership Director
Together SC
Lauren Luneckas
Executive Director
Children's Museum of the Upstate
Charlotte Lynch
Outreach coordinator
Carolina Youth Development Center
Tonya Matthews
President and CEO
International African American Museum (IAAM)
Kate Mayer
Director of Development
Women's Rights and Empowerment Network
Madeleine McGee
President/CEO
Together SC
Alyssa McKenzie
Development Officer
Chapman Cultural Center
Debbie Nelson
Chief Learning Officer
Together SC
Cheryl O'Donnell
Executive Director
Florence Crittenton Programs of SC
Brooke Robertson
Director of Marketing & Communications
Neue South Collective
DeBarbara Robinson
Director of Library Experience, Branches
Richland Library
Carolyn Smith
AmeriCorps and VISTA Program Manager
United Way of the Piedmont
Paige Stephenson
President & CEO
United Way of the Piedmont
Alana Stroker
Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility
Colonial Life
Aaron Stroud-Romero
VP of International Operations
OneWorld Health
Tom Swanciger
Executive Director
Father to Father, Inc.
Summer Tebalt
Director
AccessHealth Spartanburg
Leigh Thomson
Executive Director
Dorchester Seniors, Inc.
Terri Towle
Director of Fund Development
Leeza's Care Connection
Lakita Watson
Executive Director
Women in Parks and Recreation
Ericka Wooten
Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC
Ebony Young
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Chair
Junior League of Columbia and Shifting Solutions Consulting LLC
Greta Young
Executive Director
The Parenting Place
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