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Charleston Business

The Business Narrative: Giving Tuesday

Nov 29, 2022 06:16PM ● By David Dykes

Blackbaud Marks 10th Anniversary of GivingTuesday

Blackbaud, the cloud software company, rang the closing bell at Nasdaq on Monday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of GivingTuesday, the global movement focused on spreading generosity on the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

“GivingTuesday is a day designed to encourage people to give back—whether it's time, donations or the power of their voices,” said Catherine LaCour, chief marketing officer, Blackbaud.

“As a founding partner of the movement, and as a company that supports social good organizations every day of the year, we are thrilled to help kick off this important day that makes a difference for so many nonprofits and charitable causes around the world.”

As a company dedicated to corporate citizenship, Blackbaud is engaging its own employees to give back, matching employee donations to charitable causes and hosting volunteer events throughout the end of the year.

Liberty Fellowship Chooses 20 SC Leaders for Class of 2023

Twenty South Carolina leaders have been selected for Liberty Fellowship’s Class of 2023.

Following the successful completion of five, multi-day seminars in the U.S. and abroad and individual leadership projects, the new class will join the community of more than 300 Liberty Fellows working collectively across South Carolina.

“Each leader in our new class has demonstrated the courage and ability to confront the big, systemic issues affecting the people in South Carolina now and into the future.” said Ann Marie Stieritz, president and CEO of Liberty Fellowship and a Fellow from the Class of 2016.

“By accepting our invitation to become Liberty Fellows, they are challenging themselves to dig even deeper and answer the question ‘How do I lead well and live justly in a good society?’”

The Liberty Fellowship Class of 2023 is:

  • Amy Barch, executive director and founder, Turn90
  • Gary Brewer, vice president, South Atlantic Area Construction Services, HDR, Inc.
  • Chase Glenn, director of LGBTQ+ health services and enterprise resources, Medical University of South Carolina
  • Teresa Goodman, executive director, Community Initiatives, Inc.
  • John Gordon, president & CEO, Leroy Springs & Company, Inc.
  • Shontavia Johnson, associate vice president for entrepreneurship and innovation, Clemson University
  • James Jordon, president, Jordon Construction Company
  • Michael Lalich, president and founder, Lowcountry Labor Company
  • Smyth McKissick, IV, president and CEO, Alice Company
  • Dominik Mjartan, CEO, Optus Bank
  • Brooke Mueller, director of government relations and public affairs (VA, NC, SC), Walmart, Inc.
  • Tiffany Pizarro, market vice president clinic operations, CenterWell Senior Primary Care
  • Aparna Polavarapu, associate professor, University of South Carolina School of Law, and executive director and founder, South Carolina Restorative Justice Initiative
  • Zeb Portanova, CEO, GEM Funds
  • Tommy Preston, Jr., vice president, ethics, The Boeing Company
  • Seema Shrivastava, president, Carolina Convenience Corporation
  • Sarah Simmons, founder and CEO, CITY GRIT Hospitality Group
  • Megan Stifel, chief strategy officer, Institute for Security and Technology
  • Laura Ullrich, senior regional economist, South Carolina and North Carolina, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
  • Rochelle Williams, executive director, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation.

Learn more about the class at www.libertyfellowshipsc.org/class_of_2023.

Hilton Head Resort Undergoing $10 Million Renovation

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa announced that it has embarked on a $10 million renovation to reimagine the resort's existing 416 guestrooms to grow to 419 rooms, including 32 suites.

The renovation has officially kicked off this month, with a scheduled completion and reveal slated for spring 2023. During the renovation, the resort will remain open with no impact to any other areas.

The resort has tapped Ellis Adams Design to transform each of the resort's rooms and suites into an extension of the island's natural landscape to create a luxurious coastal escape.

Taking cues from nature, the light and airy color palette was derived from the island's sandy shores and marshlands, deep green foliage, and skies awash in blue.

“Since 1988, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa has been delivering approachable luxury with personalized service and energizing experiences, empowering guests to feel their best and make unforgettable memories. This investment in refreshing our guest rooms and suites will truly provide our guests a sense of the island and allow us to maintain our positioning as a leading resort in the South,” said General Manager Mike Tighe.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa offers eight room types along with seven distinct suite options. Renovated suites will include the Resort and Carolina King Suites as well as the Atlantic, Vice Presidential, and Presidential suites, with additional plans to unveil two new specialty suites in the coming months.

A’ja Wilson Unveils Revamped Basketball Court in Hometown of Columbia

Buffalo Wild Wings and Mtn Dew Legend recruited basketball superstars Klay Thompson and A’ja Wilson to surprise local communities in San Francisco, California, and Columbia, South Carolina, with refurbished basketball courts ahead of the holiday season.

In partnership with nonprofit Project Backboard, this all-star team worked with local artists to build fun and inspiring places for youth athletes to grow their love for the game.

On Nov. 12, power forward A’ja Wilson visited her hometown of Columbia to unveil a new community court at Hyatt Park.

The two-time MVP and four-time All-Star addressed the crowd and performed a ceremonial “first layup" on the revamped court designed by local artists Charmaine Minniefield and Cienna Minniefield. 

“Growing up in South Carolina and having a space to call my home court has shaped me into the person and athlete that I am today,” said Wilson.

“I chose to upgrade the basketball court at Hyatt Park, near my grandparents' house, to provide this incredible community with a space for the next generation of legends to play and perfect their craft. I'm grateful to partner with Buffalo Wild Wings and Mtn Dew Legend to give back to the place that has given me so much.”

“Our partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings is all about celebrating sports and creating incredible experiences for the fans that love them,” said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer, PepsiCo Global Foodservice.

“This community effort was a big win for us. It was an honor to partner with Buffalo Wild Wings and basketball legends Klay and A’ja to create something special for these communities and support these local athletes as they make legendary moves on and off the court.”


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