Press Release
South Carolina's leading organization for advancing the health, economic dignity, and rights of women, girls, and gender-expansive people in South Carolina is strengthening its statewide board of directors with a new board leadership team and three new directors.
WREN's new Board Chair is Beth Ruffin, Owner and Principal of The Everyday Inclusionist, from Columbia, SC. The Vice Chair is Betsy Sikma, Director of Corporate and Public Relations at Milliken, from Spartanburg. The returning Secretary/Treasurer is Joshua Greene, Vice President of Syndication and Analytics at Carofin, from Columbia.
WREN also welcomes three new board members: Amberlyn Boiter, Vice President of PFLAG Spartanburg from Moore, SC; Dr. Judith Burgis, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist from Columbia; and Nicole Echols, Director of External Affairs at HopeHealth from Florence.
“I'm excited that our current board is the largest and most diverse board in WREN's history. We are a collection of strong bold voices who each are deeply committed to fighting for justice through an anti-racist lens. We are currently in a moment of time where there are some really grave threats, from climate change to rollbacks on reproductive rights to attempts at authoritarianism to a horrific pandemic. Despite these challenges, I am so deeply inspired by the way our board, staff, and community members continue to show up and fight!” said Board Chair Beth Ruffin.
“On behalf of all our directors, we're proud to welcome these three leaders to our board. Together with our partners, supporters, and friends, we are charting a new path for South Carolina—one where gender justice exists without question. Our new directors are already leading in the movement. We are grateful for their passion and their expertise,” said Betsy Neely Sikma, Vice Chair.
WREN's board is made up of thought leaders dedicated to change throughout the state:
- Beth Ruffin, Chair (she/her)| Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and Author | Elgin, SC
- Betsy Neely Sikma (she/her), Vice Chair | Director of Corporate PR, Milliken | Spartanburg, SC
- Joshua Greene (he/him), Secretary/Treasurer | Vice President, Carofin | Charlotte, NC
- Beth Richardson (she/her), Past Chair | Member, Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC | Columbia, SC
- Jennet Robinson Alterman, Director Emeritus (she/her) | Owner, J. Robinson Alterman, LLC | Wadmalaw Island, SC
- Dr. Frances Ashe-Goins (she/her)| Former Deputy Director, US DHHS Office on Women's Health | Columbia, SC
- Lesley “Lee” Coggiola (she/her) | Disciplinary Counsel for the South Carolina Supreme Court (Retired) | Columbia, SC
- Kerri Forrest (she/her) | MDC | Durham, NC
- Nichelle Harrison (she/her) | Director of Operations Center for Courage & Renewal, Founder of The MAP Agency | Greer, SC
- Jennifer Kahn (she/her) | Community Volunteer | Columbia, SC
- Jane Kulbersh (she/her) | Community Volunteer | Columbia, SC
- Sally McKay (she/her) | Assistant Dean for Advancement, University of South Carolina School of Law | Columbia, SC
- Diane Smock (she/her) | Former Greenville County Probate Judge, former member of Greenville City Council, retired attorney | Greenville, SC
- Ann Warner (she/her) | Ex Officio, WREN | Columbia, SC
