Leadership Grand Strand

Thank you to the sponsors who helped make the year successful for Leadership Grand Strand Class 46! Through your investments, we're able to help leaders across the Grand Strand enhance their skills, make lasting connections and better understand our community.

⏰Last chance to apply!

Leadership Grand Strand applications close June 15.

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of the Grand Strand, connect with leaders from across the community and grow alongside a diverse group of professionals, now is the time to apply.

Leadership Grand Strand believes that strong leaders should have opportunities to grow, connect and lead.

Scholarship opportunities are available for the upcoming class through three different awards:

• The Bill Pritchard Scholarship, named in honor of the program’s founder
• The Bennie J. Swans Jr. Scholarship, awarded to an applicant from an underrepresented group
• The Diana D. Greene Scholarship, named in honor of the former executive director and awarded to an applicant working in the nonprofit sector

Scholarship assistance is not guaranteed, but applicants are encouraged to apply and share how Leadership Grand Strand could impact their personal and professional journey.

Applications for the next class are open now through June 15.

We're looking back at more moments from last week's graduation.

Class members Patty Kane and Kris Cala shared compasses and personalized superlatives that highlighted the unique strengths each member of LGS Class XLVI brought to the program.

Leadership development and a deeper understanding of our community are cornerstones of Leadership Grand Strand, but the superlatives reflected something else, too — the relationships built along the way.

Each class forms connections that extend far beyond the program, creating a network of support, encouragement and collaboration that continues throughout their careers.

Friday was such a special night celebrating the culmination of 10 months of leadership development for LGS Class XLVI!

Thank you to Carolina Strand Underwriters and K. Lane Strategies for sponsoring the graduation ceremony, and to Prestwick Country Club for hosting and serving a delicious dinner!

Congratulations to Leadership Grand Strand Class 46!

32 professionals from the greater Myrtle Beach area graduated from the 10-month leadership development program on Friday.

Our graduates are:

Thomas Atchison, G3 Engineering & Surveying
Shelby Cross Beal, Haden Toothman Law Group
Richard Berry, BELFOR Property Restoration
Wes Bilyeu, Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative and Visit Myrtle Beach
Kris Cala, The Wilderness Compass
Sabina Channa, Stilbon Menswear by Icetime Luxe
April Clark, Wells Fargo Advisors
Jessica Curtis, Hampton Inn and Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
Megan DeStefano, Grand Strand Medical Center
Jessica Durant, HTC
Barrett Furtick, BELFOR Property Restoration
Jessica Gregory, EdVenture Myrtle Beach
Aaron Johnson, Horry Electric Cooperative
Patty Kane, Byrne Media Group
Matt Lake, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America
Lauren Mazurkiewicz, United Bank
Will Monckton, Southeastern Alliance Underwriters
Izabela Niewinna, Hunter Quinn Homes
Preslee Peeler, Conway Medical Center
Dr. Kelly Perritt, Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Mike Quinn, Myrtle Beach Police Dept.
Gavin Scire, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Jake Sexton, Myrtle Media Group
Megan Skodras, At Your Service Plumbing + Heating + Air
Baird Stewart, The Jackson Companies
Thomas Vehige, 963 Co.
Gabby White, Coastal Outdoor Advertising
Katrena White, Coastal Grand Mall
Richard Williams Jr., United Way of Horry County
Audie Wise, Lockheed Martin Corp.
Andy Wolfe, Grand Palms Resort
Jessica Yourko, Santee Cooper

Hard to believe 32 more individuals will join the Leadership Grand Strand alumni community tomorrow.

A look back at moments with our alumni at the 2026 Ann DeBock Leadership Award Reception held earlier this year, and the connections that continue well beyond each program year ends.

The last leadership training is underway for Leadership Grand Strand Class 46!

Hop2it Consulting

Here's a few more moments from our April session at Brookgreen Gardens!

Such a beautiful day touring the gardens and learning more about the history of Brookgreen and Atalaya.

Thank you to Joe Heyd with Heyd & Co. and Cecilia Evans with Bank of America for supporting Leadership Grand Strand and sponsoring the program!

Congratulations to our 2026 Ann DeBock Award Finalists!

Juliet Casper, Class XXII, Partner at Roy & Casper, LLC
Cecilia Evans, Class XXVI, Local Markets Organization Market Executive at Bank of America - Myrtle Beach
James McIlrath, Class XI, Principal at Duncan, Farmer, McIlrath, Marlowe & Cole, P.A.
Pam Wright, Class # # , Business Development Manager, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Stay tuned to learn more about these leaders and their impact on the Grand Strand and save the date! Our annual Ann DeBock Leadership Award Celebration will be held on March 27, 2026.