Creating Leaders for Over 37 Years
Are you the next Leader in the Lowcountry? In our flagship Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, participants get a deep dive into the social, economic, government, culture, and educational aspects of southern Beaufort County while completing a project that meets a need in the community.
The Leadership class is open to professionals living and working in southern Beaufort County and runs from August 2023 through May 2024.
Leadership is a skill worth cultivating and your Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has been doing just that for over 37 years.
The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce began its Leadership program in 1985. It was designed to cultivate leadership resources within the community by giving participants the opportunity to study and experience the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie and Daufuskie Island communities, including their history, government, economy, human services and culture.
The curriculum provides broad-based leadership perspectives to familiarize participants with the area’s challenges, opportunities and resources. It also includes a class initiated community project challenging participants to explore current needs and issues first hand. The projects stay a part of the community long after graduation.
Why do we take the time to invest in our members and their leadership capabilities? Because we look at business from a 30,000-foot view. We know that the leaders created and cultivated today will make a difference in our community in the coming years.
The Leadership Class runs annually from August through May with a graduation ceremony in June.
Questions? Please contact Director of Programs & Events, Kelli Brunson.
Click here to view the proposed class dates for the Class of 2024
Welcome, 2022-23 Leadership Class
Jesse Baker, Hargray
Scott Baker, Morgan Stanley
Dale Douthat, United Way of the Lowcountry
Thomas Dowling, Alliance Global Partners
Allyson Etheridge, The Etheridge Group, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
Randall Herrington, Carey & Co.
Lisa Hodge, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Nicole Holsopple, JP Morgan Chase
Ryan Lee, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare
Mat Loxley, Palmetto Electric Cooperative
Kyle Reilly, Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island
Russell Rogers, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue
Taylor Stokes, The Sea Pines Resort
Cary Welker, SERG Restaurant Group
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Board of Regents!
Lynn King, Chair , Class of 2014
Brian Neumann, Vice-Chair, Class of 2014
Julie Smith, Past-Chair, Class of 2015
Ansley Goodman, Treasurer, Class of 2020
Kiley Fusco, Secretary, Class of 2014
Brandon Arent, Book Presentations, Class of 2019
Nicole Hinnant, CEAs, Class of 2020
John Carroll, Class of 2017
James Ellis, Class of 2017
Melissa Krauss, Class of 2019
Taylor Ladd, CEAS, Class of 2018
Adam Martin, Class of 2022
Joan Richardson, Class of 2022
Cinda Seamon, Mentor Coordinator, Class of 1991
Katherine Wells, Class of 2009
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Leadership Program Sponsors!
Projects
Discover in-depth, impactful projects our previous classes have worked on over the years.
Photos
See how Lowcountry professionals have come together to learn about the local area and determine ways they can contribute to the community.
Congratulations Class of 2022
- Lauren Albrecht, Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage
- Anna Almeida, Elite Resort Group
- Brittani Anderson, J Banks Design
- Jason Ashley
- Henry Criss, Palmetto Breeze
- Megan Gorden, Gotham Events
- Brandon Greenplate, Brandon Greenplate Real Estate
- Brent Lett, Synovus Bank
- Kimberly Lewis, Pinnacle Financial
- Frederick Lowery, Island Recreation Association
- Natalie Majorkiewicz, Town of Bluffton
- Adam Martin, Haig Point
- Lawrence Melton, Island Funeral Home
- Joan Richardson, Carey & Company
- Corey Smith, Fraser & Allen
- Mark Stanley, Palmetto Breeze
- Corey Tuten, Palmetto Electric
- Harrison Williams, Shelton Law Firm
- Sally Zuniga, Tio's Latin American Kitchen

Junior Leadership Program
Discover a signature, unique leadership program for local high school students.