COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sustain SC in partnership with The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University is pleased to announce the 2026 class of the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI). Now entering its fifth year, SLI is a collaborative effort between Furman University’s Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and Sustain SC. The 2026 cohort brings together a diverse group of leaders from business, government, academia and nonprofit organizations who are committed to advancing sustainability across South Carolina.
The SLI program is a six-month professional education program that runs January through June and includes six sessions designed to cultivate the skills and insights needed to lead sustainability efforts in a rapidly changing economic and environmental landscape. Graduates of the program are certified as Sustainability Leadership Fellows and join an active alumni network of cross-sector leaders across the state.
“We are delighted to welcome this talented and committed group of leaders to the SLI community,” said Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC. “SLI connects leaders from across sectors to build a powerful network to accelerate sustainability outcomes across South Carolina.”
Andrew Predmore, Executive Director of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University added, “SLI provides an immersive professional education experience that deepens participants’ understanding of sustainability and prepares them to implement meaningful solutions in their organizations and communities. We are proud to partner with Sustain SC in support of this important work.”
The 2026 SLI Fellows are:
- Adam Gleason, Heritage Landcare
- Alison Montgomery, Westervelt Ecological Services
- Amy Collins, Lockhart Power
- Beau Reynolds, Trane Technologies
- Bryan Cordell, The Sustainability Institute
- Clay Word, The Nature Conservancy
- Dana Bauer, Open Land Trust
- Darcy Coughlan, Sustain Coastal at Coastal Carolina University
- Darrel Pendris, Milliken Advisors
- David Jones, SC Forestry Commission
- Esther K. Adams, Center for Heirs' Property
- Gregory Wilcox, South Carolina Research Authority
- Griffin Muli, South Carolina Aquarium
- Isreal Hodges, Scout Motors
- Jenna Wyatt, Milliken & Company
- Jessica Wilson, Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete
- Joseph Dukes, Palmetto Community Developers
- Kay Self, VisionGreenwood
- Lucas Messick, Halton MEI
- Megan Copsey, BMW Manufacturing
- Melanie Gearhart, Goodwill Industries of Upstate Midlands SC
- Michelle LaRocco, Cirba Solutions
- Peter Madden, US Endowment for Forestry & Communities
- Purva Mhatre, Sonoco
- Samuel Packard, Siemens
- Sarah R. Lyles, Palmetto Pride
- For more information about the Sustainability Leadership Initiative and the SLI program, please visit the SLI program page.