Meet Our Mentors & Advisory Board

Jacqui Bomar
President, Owner
JBM & Associates, LLC

Jacqui


For more than 25 years, Jacqui Bomar’s passion has been creating events that attract and entertain tens of thousands of people. She’s planned grand openings for major convention centers and has managed conventions in places like Prague and London. Although, Bomar’s career has brought her all over the world, today her energy is directed toward a new audience right here in Greenville. She and her event production and marketing company, JBM & Associates, produce several successful consumer shows, including the Upstate Women’s Show, Spice of Life Food & Fitness Fest, Charleston Boat Show, Savannah Boat & Outdoor Show and the Columbia Women’s Show. Her passion for “out-of the box” marketing is fueled by the satisfaction of constantly creating something new and different at each event.

Tan Kirby Davis
President, Owner
The Kirby Resource Group

Tan Kirby Davis is Founder and Lead Consultant for The Kirby Resource Group (KRG), a consulting and training organization that specializes in Organizational Development, Diversity, Inclusion and Workforce Engagement. The firm has been in business since 1997 and has successfully worked with Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, municipalities, non-profit organizations and health care organizations. Tan is a seasoned human resources professional with over 30 years of both corporate and consulting experience in the areas of designing, developing and implementing high impact initiatives in leadership development, change management, strategic planning, strategic diversity, inclusion and workforce engagement. She also has extensive experience in planning conferences and learning events.

 

 

Edna K. Morris
Chief Executive Officer/Partner
Range Restaurant Group

Edna K. Morris, Chief Executive Officer/Partner of Range Restaurant Group since 2008. Managing Director Axum Capital Partners since October 2009. During the prior 15 years, Ms. Morris served as President of various brands,
including Blue Coral, James Beard Foundation, Red Lobster and Quincy's. Prior to that, Ms. Morris was Executive Vice President/Human Resources for Hardees Food Systems and Advantica Restaurant Group. Other directorships
have included: Member of the Board of Trustees: Culinary Institute of America; founding President of the Women's Foodservice Forum, Cosi.

 

Gail DePriest
Director of Corporate Relations
Clemson University, MBA Program



Gail DePriest is a Master Coach and has coached top business leaders from BMW and Michelin North America to Europe and Central America. As an experienced entrepreneur and business leader, Gail has received numerous awards throughout her career including the National Society for Human Resources Management Workplace Readiness Innovation Award, the National GMAT TEAM M.B.A. Service Award and the Adecco Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Achievements in Corporate and Public Life. Gail co-authored the Dean’s Leadership Certificate Program and directs Leadership Development for students in the M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship at Clemson at the Falls. Gail teaches MBA 881: Ethics and Leadership.

 

 

Sharen Kardon
Principal
Kardon Communications



A 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, Sharen Kardon held positions as reporter, editor, publisher and marketing manager for newspapers along the East Coast and in the Midwest, most recently serving as marketing director for The Post and Courier in Charleston, SC. She later founded Kardon Communications, a business consulting company specializing in marketing strategy and communications, market research, event management and group facilitation. The winner of numerous writing and marketing awards, she has conducted more than 70 seminars and workshops for media and marketing professionals, and has led corporate teams in strategic planning and new product innovation.

 

 

 

Emily Ortiz Alfonso
Owner
Alfonso Interpreting & Transporting, Inc.



Emily Ortiz Alfonso is co-owner of Alfonso Interpreting & Transporting, Inc. (“AITI”), a Spanish-English interpreting agency specializing in medical and legal interpreting along with Spanish OSHA safety training. AITI incorporated in Greenville, SC in 2007 and has worked with successful attorneys, insurance carriers, and individuals. In this manner, AITI provides high-quality interpreters to its clients to facilitate communication.

In addition, Emily has served on the South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Gala Committee. She is a member of the American Translators Association (ATA), Carolina Association of Translators & Interpreters (CATI), and South Carolina Association of Rehabilitative Professionals (SCARP). She also devotes time as a volunteer at Lake Forest Elementary.

Julie O’Dell-Michie
Senior VP, Chief Administrative Officer
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation


Julie O’Dell-Michie, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation located in Lenoir, North Carolina, has more than 20 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, safety, administration and organizational design and development. Prior to joining Blue Ridge Electric, Julie led successful HR organizations with Sara Lee Corporation and Kimberly Clark.

Her areas of expertise include succession planning, organizational design, employee development, behavioral based safety, lean strategies, employment law, corporate governance and policy.

 

 

Kinneil Coltman
Director, Diversity & Language Services
Greenville Healthcare System



Kinneil Coltman is the Director of Diversity and Language Services for Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Ms. Coltman is a 2006-2007 Research Fellow in the Health Research and Educational Trust’s Cross Cultural Leadership Fellowship, a program sponsored by the American Hospital Association. She currently serves as President-Elect for the South Carolina Hospital Association’s Society of Healthcare Diversity Professionals and has previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Center of the Upstate and President of the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Greenville. Ms. Coltman is a Certified Diversity Trainer through the Society for Human Resources Management and has lectured across the country on topics related to workforce diversity, supplier diversity, cross cultural health care, and health and health care disparities.

 

 

Katha Kissman
Entrepreneur, Consultant
Katha Kissman Organization


Katha has over 25 years of experience managing and consulting with nonprofits. Katha serves as an Interim Leader, providing organizations with a short- or long-term leadership bridge and provides nonprofit organizational development consulting. Also, as a senior governance consultant affiliated with BoardSource, Katha provides individualized board consultation and training and conducts workshops on governance issues. Katha has worked with a variety of organizations and a particular expertise in assisting boards with compliance, fiscal management, fundraising, relations and retention, risk management, special events, strategic planning, team-building, and training.

 

 

Dr. Sheila Breitweiser
VP, Executive Director
Spartanburg Regional Foundation


Prior to her retirement as SCSDB President in January 2008, Dr. Breitweiser served in many roles during her history in public education, which began in 1964 with her work as a classroom and special education teacher, and early interventionist. Her administrative experience includes employment as a principal and assistant superintendent in the Chapel Hill, NC schools, and as superintendent of The Governor Morehead School (NC’s state school for the blind). She has consulted extensively with various special education programs: notably other residential schools across the nation along with hospital and treatment programs serving students with various health and mental health diagnoses. At the present time, Dr. Breitweiser serves as a vice-president of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) and as executive director of the SRHS’ Foundation where she is responsible for a staff of 10 professionals and assets of approximately $24 million.

 

 

Jil Littlejohn
Executive Director
YWCA of Greenville County


Jil has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University and a Bachelors of Arts in Intercultural Studies for Business from Wofford College (2001) with studies at the Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain. She currently serves as the Executive Director/CEO for the YWCA of Greenville.

On January 20, 2009, she was elected to serve on Greenville City Council. She is the youngest member on council and one of two minorities. Jil has been recognized by as a 2011 Women Making History Honoree, Greenville Business Magazine Top 50 Influential People 2009, Ebony Magazine 2009 Top Young Leader under 30, Greenville Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year Finalist in 2008, Greenville Link Magazine's Top 50 in 2006, and Greenville's Best & Brightest Under 35 in 2005.

 

 

 

Tommie Ellis Reece
Program Manager, "Learning for You" Furman University 
Trustee, Greenville County Schools

As Program Manager, Mrs. Reece creates, administers and promotes a variety of non-credit classes for personal and professional enrichment. She also directs “Connections” leadership development program, the Pre-College Piano program and coordinates the summer academic enrichment day camps for children. In coordination with these responsibilities, she has volunteered as a mentor with the Furman Leadership Links program, serves as a guest lecturer in several education classes and occasionally teaches a seminar.

As a Trustee, Mrs. Reece has represented area 17 on the school board since November 1996. She has served three times as Chair, and previously as both Secretary and Vice-Chair. She created an Inter-Governmental Task Force with Greenville County Schools, Greenville County Council, Greenville City Council and all other municipalities to provide a vehicle for coordination and communication and convened a task force to successfully address funding issues for charter schools.

 

Debbie Nelson
Principal
DNA Creative Communications


As founder and principal of DNA, Debbie Nelson has two chief priorities. One is to provide strong strategic leadership for her staff of creative marketing professionals as they continue to build DNA into one of the Upstate's top communications companies. The other is to give back to the community by partnering with non-profit organizations in the Greenville area, where she's lived for more than 20 years.

An entrepreneur from the age of 16 when she owned an antiques consignment store, Debbie grew her business from a part-time special events business located in her home to a full-service public relations and marketing firm with its own building in downtown Greenville. In 2005, DNA was named the Greenville Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year, an honor which Debbie considers her biggest professional accomplishment.

 

 

 

Tanya Thompson
Director
Center for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education, Clemson University


Tanya Thompson is Director of the Center for Professional Development and Continuing Education at Clemson at the Falls. She obtained her BS in Financial Management from Clemson University in 1996 and is currently enrolled in the MBA program for working professionals. Tanya has 15 years of experience in Risk Management and Mortality Pricing as the Chief Underwriter for Liberty Life Insurance Company. After attending the Leadership Summit in August 2010 and as a result of much soul searching on Leading with Passion, she joined the Clemson at the Falls team in April 2011. Instigating learning opportunities and helping people is something she is very passionate about.

Tanya is a member of the Board of Directors for Safe Harbor, a member of Piedmont Toastmasters and a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). She is a supporter of the Greenville Spartanburg Anderson Technology Council, so you are likely to see her at Tech After Five and monthly GSATC luncheons.

 

Magaly Penn
Diversity Consultant
BI-LO, LLC


Magaly Penn is a Diversity Consultant for BI-LO, LLC. Magaly has over fifteen years of experience in the field of diversity.

Prior to becoming a Consultant, Magaly was the Senior Director of Diversity for BI-LO, LLC where she served as the Chief Diversity Strategist, reporting to the Executive VP of Human Resources. Before joining BI-LO, she was the Director of Diversity Resources for the Burger King Corporation, responsible for leading, managing and implementing internal and external diversity initiatives in the areas of: Employment, Franchising, Procurement and Community Affairs. Before Joining Burger King, she served as the Director of Minority Business Development for the Advantica Restaurant Group (currently known as Dennys). Through her leadership of the organization, Advantica received the NAACP CEO of the Year Award. Penn has also served as Director of SB/SDB Development for Michelin North America.

Throughout her career, she has served in a leadership capacity in numerous organizations such as The MultiCultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance, Florida Regional Minority Business Council and as Chair of the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council.

In April 2010, Magaly Penn was appointed South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commissioner.

 

 

Kathy Brooks
Project Manager, Government Group
Fluor

 Kathy Brooks is responsible for the Business Risk Management process within the Fluor Government Group. She supports the operations in all of Fluor’s Government Group’s business segments – Contingency Operations, Services and Base Operations, Environmental and Nuclear.

Prior to this assignment, Kathy served as a Senior Project Director for the Energy and Chemicals (E&C) business line in Greenville. She is active in the Greenville community and serves on the United Way Women’s Leadership Committee and assisted with Fluor’s 2010 and 2011 United Way campaign. Additionally, Kathy volunteers at The Child’s Haven.

 

 

Debbie Harris
Executive Vice President
Michelin North America, Inc.

 Debbie Harris became executive vice president of Michelin North America (MNA) in April 2010. In this role, Mrs. Harris has responsibility for the Michelin North American Customer Service and Logistics Operations to include the Demand-to-Cash process.
Previous to her appointment, she was the Director of Customer Service, responsible for all customer service operations in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Mrs. Harris joined Michelin in May 1990. She began her career as a shop floor manager in a tire manufacturing facility and then worked in various operational and personnel roles in manufacturing facilities in South Carolina and Indiana. Her previous roles have included: front-line supervisor, corporate trainer, area personnel manager, facility personnel manager, director of employee relations and director of recruiting.
Mrs. Harris is active in the community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the United Way Women’s Leadership Council and is a member of the Greenville Professional Women’s Forum. Previously, she has served on the boards of directors for Safe Harbor, Girl Scouts (Fort Wayne, Ind.), and Junior Achievement.

 

Leesa Cooper
Director of Leadership Development
Michelin North America, Inc.

 Leesa Cooper has served as director of leadership development for Michelin since 2010. In this role, Ms. Cooper directs all of Michelin’s leadership programs aimed at accelerating the potential of future leaders. She also directs the company’s mentoring program, providing direction, coordination and training to encourage positive relationships between mentors and mentees within the Company.

Ms. Cooper has 15 years of experience in human resources roles. Prior to this latest assignment, she was the senior regional human resources manager and director of career management at Tire Centers, LLC (TCi). She also has served as a human resources manager and director of recruitment and retention for Finlay Enterprises and on-site human resources manager for contract workers at Whirlpool, Inc.

 

 

Renee Hahn
HR Executive, Engineering Organization and Talent Development
GE Energy

 Renee Hahn is currently the Organization and Talent Development Leader for the 16,000 employee Engineering Division in GE Energy.

Prior to joining GE Energy in her current role she was the Head of HR for the GE Intelligent Platforms business that had product offerings in embedded technology, software and manufacturing automation with employees across 40 countries.

Renee has spent time in a variety of roles during her 13-year GE career including Diversity Leader, Compensation/Benefits/HRIS Leader, M&A Leader, Organization and Executive Development Leader and Several HR Generalist Leader roles supporting CEO’s and Sr Leaders in various GE businesses. Her GE career has spanned across  five of the GE businesses; GE Transportation, GE Aviation, GE Capital, GE Intelligent Platforms and GE Energy. Prior to joining GE, she worked in the automotive industry for several years.

 

 

 

Lori Johnson Coon
Chief Operating Officer
Integrated Media Publishing

 Lori Johnson Coon is COO of Integrated Media Publishing, publishers of Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly and Palmetto Parent.

Lori Johnson Coon is COO of Integrated Media Publishing, publishers of Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly and Palmetto Parent. She was named publisher of Greenville Business Magazine in September of 2008 and was responsible for repositioning the magazine in the business community. Under her leadership, the company has seen annual revenue increases; the launch of new interactive websites for each publication; the addition of email broadcasting; the revitalization of awards programs for Best and Brightest and Business Person of the Year; and the addition of Corporate Tuesdays, a monthly business networking event for business leaders. Lori is active with the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Small Business Awards Committee. She has served on the boards of Upstate Visual Arts and the Downtown Sertoma Club. She currently is a member of Greenville Forward and serves on the board of directors of Safe Harbor and on the advisory boards of the Clemson University Leadership Summit and Brown Mackie College.

 

 

Ping Liu
Operations Manager, Advanced Technology Operations (ATO)
GE Energy

 As Operations Manager of the Advanced Technology Operations in GE Energy, Greenville, Ping has the opportunity to work with the brightest engineers/scientists to solve the world biggest challenges – Efficient Energy & Power Generations. The infectious passion from people around her and the expectation of nothing but excellent work inspire her to get up every day to work!

Ping joined GE Energy in 2007 as Internal Research & Development (IRD) program leader, where she developed program process and drove all aspects of IRD program execution & technology transition.   In 2010, Ping took on the current assignment as ATO Operations Manage, where she is responsible for driving operational excellence in all aspects including strategy, resource planning,  metrics, improvement initiatives and operational rhythms.

In addition to her current position, Ping chaired Greenville Asia Pacific American Forum (APAF) Hub in 2010;  She currently leads “Developing Health” initiative across GE affinity groups in GVL to help improve access to primary care to underserved communities in GVL.

 

 

Emily Martin
Executive Logistics Leader
GE Energy

 Emily attended North Carolina State University, in Raleigh and graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1999. Upon graduation she joined GE as part of the GE Healthcare Technical Sales Leadership program and had assignments with the New Orleans, Memphis, and in Waukesha, WI.

 She joined GE Wind Energy in 2006 in Greenville, SC, as the Global Commodity leader for Composites. As a GCL for Wind, she led the $600M composites supply chain in support of Wind’s dramatic growth cycle.

 She was promoted to her current position, Executive Logistics Leader for GE Energy in 2012. In this role she is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of the global logistics operations, customs compliance, carrier sourcing, and logistics initiatives for the broad portfolio of Energy’s product lines.

 Emily is active with the GE Women’s Network and the Supplier Diversity Council. She also serves as the GE University Executive for North Carolina State University.

 

 

Kym Petrie
Chief Enchantment Officer
The Enchanted Truth

 Kym parlayed her success as a sought after international model into a thriving business career branding companies and communities. Over the past two decades she has established and delivered tactical vision concepts resulting in millions of dollars of investment for the entities she represents.

She specializes in reinvention and regeneration, working with leadership teams to drive innovation, set strategy, facilitate change. She’s a whiz at guiding organizations through the creation and implementation of strategies to implement communication driven enterprise solutions that consistently achieve profitability targets, enhance quality and client satisfaction levels and achieve benchmark recognition for highly competitive organizations. An agent of change, she shakes organizations up and solidifies relationships with stake holders to create true tangible differentiation for clients.

Having first launched her career in Japan, Kym has lived and worked all over the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.  She has a degree in International Business and is a sought after speaker on urban regeneration as well as women’s leadership and empowerment.  Her first book “The Enchanted Truth” A Modern Day Fairy Tale for Grown-up Girls is available September 18th at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and retailers across North America.

 

 

Robyn Zimmerman
Director of Public and Community Relations
Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center

 Robyn has served as the Director of Public and Community Relations for the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center for the past thirteen years.  She serves as the system spokesperson and oversees news media relations, community relations, partnerships and outreach, and corporate communications.

 Robyn presently teaches communications classes at Greenville Technical College and serves as a Senior Associate at Furman University’s Center for Corporate and Professional Development. She holds a Bachelor Degree from Florida State University and a Masters Degree from the University of Michigan both in Communications.

Currently, she serves on the boards of the March of Dimes, the Upcountry History Museum and Centre Stage SC and is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina.

 

 

Kim Hassold
Editor-in-Chief
TALK Greenville Magazine

 Kim Hassold has enjoyed a career based on creative energy and a passion for communication through all venues. Her work experience includes speaking, writing, painting and an extensive background in fashion. Currently Kim works as Editor-in-Chief of TALK Greenville magazine and has written a weekly column for The Greenville News for the last fifteen years.

 

 

Teresa Martinez
Senior Project Manager
Jacobs Management Team

 Teresa Martinez is currently responsible for Intellectual Property Protection of a multi-billion dollar project. As a member of the Jacobs Management Team, she has had roles in engineering, construction, and commissioning of chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology facilities built in Ireland, Singapore, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and throughout the United States. After graduating with a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering, Teresa started her career at the largest Exxon Refinery-Chemical Plant Complex in Baton Rouge, LA where she was responsible for the optimization, start-ups, and shut-downs of several operating units. She also conducted safety audits for several Exxon facilities in Mexico and Venezuela. Teresa often volunteers as a Judge in Science Fairs for high schools and elementary schools in Greenville and Charleston, SC.

 

 

Kimberly Thomason
Managing Member
Truluck Thomason, LLC

 Kimberly Thomason is the Managing Member of the law firm of Truluck Thomason, LLC, a full service business litigation firm located in downtown Greenville, SC. She established the Greenville firm of Truluck Thomason, LLC in 2011 to meet the various legal needs of local and regional businesses in all stages of development, from start up projects to established organizations. Her firm specializes in all aspects of civil litigation, family law and corporate litigation practice and currently represents clients including national corporations, local non profit organizations, individuals, and investment companies in mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, labor issues, contract negotiations, and partnership and shareholder disputes. She has developed a results oriented legal approach that includes a network of professionals with the ability and desire to efficiently and effectively provide a global approach to meeting the unique needs of each client. Mrs. Thomason currently serves on the Board for the Partnership Alliance for Community Development and is a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Women in Law, the Christian Legal Society, and the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association.