Creative Conversations

Join the Conversations

• Each session meets from noon to 1 p.m.
• Register for the Creative Conversations session(s) you plan to attend with the corresponding links.
• You will be sent a Zoom(TM) Webinar link at a later date.

• Sept. 15 • Nonprofit Connections with TogetherSC

  Leaders from TogetherSC, the state’s nonprofit association, discuss the resources, networks, and professional development opportunities available to South Carolina’s nonprofit organizations through their organization.

   

  Speakers

  Karen Riordan
  President & CEO, TogetherSC

  Karen Riordan serves as the president & CEO of Together SC, where she spends her time supporting and advocating for the nonprofit sector across South Carolina. Karen started two nonprofits in 2021 and 2022 – Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful and Partnership Grand Strand, a community foundation of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber. Karen has 30 years of marketing and business management experience, working as president and CEO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, as well as leading marketing firms in Washington and Boston. Karen graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s in speech communications and English.

  She is a 2023 Riley Institute Diversity Fellow and, in March 2021, was recognized as the first female president and CEO of the chamber at the city of Myrtle Beach’s Women’s History Month celebration. In 2018 she was named Chamber Executive of the Year by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is a recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal award for service to the community, and was honored as Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business.”

  Karen loves volunteering, as well as serving on nonprofit boards and she believes in giving time, talent and treasure to nonprofit organizations who work to make their community a better place. Karen’s passions include world travel, animal rescue, walks on the beach, and all things made of chocolate.

  GP McLeer
  Director of Public Policy & Community Engagement, TogetherSC

  GP has spent nearly all of his professional career in the nonprofit sector. For TogetherSC he monitors policy at all levels of government that impact the nonprofit sector, works with nonprofits across the state to engage them in advocacy work, and leads the planning of one of the southeast’s nonprofit conferences, the SC Nonprofit Summit. GP is also the Mayor of Fountain Inn, SC and is in his second term. He previously served as the Executive Director of the SC Arts Alliance and as the Director of the Upstate Mobility Alliance.

  GP was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster in 2025 to South Carolina’s State Workforce Development Board. He is the immediate past president of the Association of SC Mayors and is the vice chair of Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study. He is also a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Rural Investment Collaborative Steering Group.

  He is a Hunt Institute State Policy Fellow, a Riley Mayor Design Fellow, a Riley Institute DLI Fellow, and has been named one of the area’s “50 Most Influential” and “Best and Brightest Under 35” by Greenville Business Magazine. GP is a graduate of the College of Charleston where he was awarded the 250th Anniversary Young Alumnus Award.

• Oct. 13 • Motivations & Money

  Want to update your organization’s fundraising strategies? Convergent Nonprofit Solutions Consultants discuss how arts organizations can identify prospective donors, align them with their organization’s programming, and build strong connections with them.

  Speakers

  Andy Brubaker
  Senior Funding Strategist, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions

  At Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, Andy Brubaker partners with mission-driven organizations nationwide to strengthen fundraising capacity, build a culture of philanthropy and advance community impact. He brings more than 20 years of professional fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience across higher education, health care, human services, and community-based organizations. Andy advises executive leaders and boards on board engagement, feasibility studies, capital campaigns and strategic resource development. His work helps organizations align leadership, volunteers, and donors around a shared vision for the communities they serve.

  Before joining Convergent, Andy held advancement and executive leadership roles at Andrew College, LaGrange College, the American Red Cross of Southwest Georgia and two independent K-12 schools. A regular speaker at conferences and webinars, he holds degrees from the University of West Georgia and Western Carolina University and remains active in community service in Greenville with Scouting America and the American Red Cross.

  Erin Kelley Sammis
  Consultant, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions

  Erin Kelley Sammis, MBA, CFRE helps nonprofit leaders turn ambitious goals into practical, sustainable growth strategies. Drawing on more than two decades of executive leadership experience, she works with organizations to strengthen philanthropy, diversify revenue, engage stakeholders, and build the partnerships and systems that fuel lasting impact.

  Before joining Convergent, Erin served in executive and advancement leadership roles with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Curtis Institute of Music, Opera Philadelphia, and Pensacola Opera. Her experience spans the arts, education, economic development, and civic sectors, where she has helped organizations navigate change, expand resources, and deepen community engagement.

  A South Carolina native raised just outside of Florence, Erin attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities summer program before earning her degree in voice performance from Furman University. She also holds graduate degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (voice performance) and La Salle University, where she earned her MBA. Erin has maintained her CFRE credential since 2013 and now resides in Philadelphia.

• Nov. 10 • Project Support from the SCAC

  About November’s Session

  The SCAC’s Arts Project Support (APS) grant liaison Julia Greene and past APS recipients discuss the grant’s organizational impact, process, and opportunities.

  • Register for Nov. 10.
  • APS grant guidelines.

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  Speakers

  Julia Greene
  Artist Development & Arts Industry Coordinator, South Carolina Arts Commission

  Julia Greene holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of South Carolina and is a candidate for a master’s degree in arts administration from Winthrop University. Working with individual artists, arts organizations, nonprofits, academic organizations, and units of government, Julia’s academic and professional experience are perfect for the job at hand. She is the program liaison for the Arts Project Support grant, the Horizon Opportunity grant, and the Emerging Artist Alumni grant. Outside of work, Julia enjoys painting, drawing, and having potlucks with her friends.

  Rhonda Hunsinger
  Executive Director, South Carolina Philharmonic

  Rhonda Hunsinger has served as executive director of the South Carolina Philharmonic since 2002, after joining the organization as development Director in 1998. Under her leadership, the Philharmonic has expanded its artistic, educational, and community impact throughout South Carolina.

  A dedicated leader in the orchestra field, Hunsinger is an active member of the League of American Orchestras and served two terms on its national board of directors. In 2020, she was selected as a Fellow in the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) at Furman University.

  Hunsinger earned a bachelor’s in organizational communication and a Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College. She brings more than 40 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and arts administration.

  Rebecca Warthen
  Treasurer, First Thursdays on Main

  Rebecca Faith Warthen is the treasurer of First Thursday on Main—a monthly celebration of local arts and culture on the capital city’s Main Street. A native of Columbia, the arts have inspired every turn of her life, from attending the SC Governor’s School for the Arts as a young dancer, to joining the Peace Corps and serving as the creative director of the Thai Youth Theater Project, to then working in the Caribbean developing programming for the Dominica Institute for the Arts.

  Rebecca Faith returned to Columbia in 2023, where she began working in development for the South Carolina Philharmonic. She continues to teach ballet with the Celestial Stars Arts Academy and performs with the Cola Samba Explosion.

  Rebecca Faith secured funding from the S.C. Arts Commission’s Arts Project Support program for First Thursdays’ first two years of the “Shoot Your Shot” all-styles hip-hop dance battle.  The goal of this project was to share free, participatory public dance with the Main Street community, and to provide a competition opportunity for ambitious dancers.

• Jan. 12 • Grant Readiness

  About January’s Session

  What does it take be be grant-ready? We’ll share methods and practices for organizations to track grant timelines, prepare supportive applications, and manage organizational grant processes. 

  • Register for Jan. 12.

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  Speaker

  Tamara Herring
  Founder and Consultant, The Mission Steward

  Tamara R. Herring is the founder and principal of The Mission Steward, LLC, a consulting practice focused on strengthening nonprofit systems so missions can thrive. Drawing on experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, financial management, grants, and organizational development, she works with mission-driven organizations to build the infrastructure and capacity needed to operate effectively and sustainably.

  Prior to launching The Mission Steward, Tamara served as executive director of the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage in Ridgeland, South Carolina, where she led the organization through significant growth, expanded programming and partnerships, and managed fundraising, operations, and institutional development.

  Her experience spans the nonprofit, cultural, and corporate sectors, giving her a practical understanding of the challenges small and growing organizations face when mission, resources, and capacity do not always align. She currently serves as board chair of United Way of the Lowcountry and as a council member of the Southeastern Museums Conference. She also supports nonprofit capacity building and grantmaking initiatives throughout South Carolina.

  In 2021, Tamara received the South Carolina Governor’s Award for Fresh Voices in the Humanities in recognition of her contributions to the state’s cultural and humanities community.

• Feb. 9 • Topic TBA

  About February’s Session

  This session is in development and will be announced later.

• March 9 • Folklife & Traditional Arts

  About March’s Session

  Curious about how your organization can integrate folklife and traditional arts programming? Dr. Stephen Criswell of the USC Lancaster Native American Studies Center shares his knowledge on folklife and traditional arts—and how organizations can appropriately highlight this in their work.

  • Register for March 9.

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  Speakers

  Dr. Stephen Criswell
  Director of Native American Studies, Native American Studies Center of the University of South Carolina Lancaster

  Dr. Stephen Criswell has served as the director of Native American studies and a professor of English and folklore at the University of South Carolina Lancaster since 2005. He is a native of Gaston County, North Carolina and earned his bachelor’s degree from Belmont Abbey College, his master’s degree from UNC Charlotte, and his doctorate from the University of Louisiana. His research interests include indigenous traditional art, foodways—particularly Carolina fish camps—traditional music, and local legends. His work has been featured in such outlets as North Carolina Public TV and Radio, The Washington Post, The Charleston Post and Courier, The South Carolina Encyclopedia, SCETV, The Bitter Southerner, the NC Folklore Journal, and The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. His work has been supported by the NEA, NEH, S.C. Arts Commission, SC Humanities, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and numerous grants from USC. Dr. Criswell is a recipient of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, presented annually by the South Carolina General Assembly.

• April 13 • From Small Projects to Big Pictures

  About April’s Session

  South Carolina nonprofit legend Robin Waites will draw on her years of leadership experience in the arts and cultural nonprofit sector to discuss the importance of resource development for programming and sustainability.

  • Register for April 13.

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  Speakers

  Robin Waites
  Founder & Consultant, Robin Waites Consulting

  Robin Waites has devoted her career to the nonprofit sector, with a special focus on cultural arts and historic preservation. Her leadership journey includes transforming organizations to achieve sustainable growth and community impact.

  A product of Columbia’s Richland School District One, Robin attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont where she received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in art history and Russian. She received a Master of Arts in art history from the University of South Carolina in 1996 and subsequently began work at the South Carolina State Museum. She served in a variety of capacities including the chief curator of art, which was her position when she left the State Museum to work with Historic Columbia.

  As executive director for Historic Columbia, Robin oversaw the transformation of the historic buildings and grounds; established an expansive community engagement program in Columbia and Richland County; and worked with local partners and grass roots advocates on a number of major historic preservation efforts including the rehabilitation of the Palmetto Compress Warehouse and the revitalization of the 1600 block of Main Street.

  A life-long resident of Columbia, Robin is well equipped to work with the various constituents and issues that are key factors in the success of arts and culture in South Carolina’s capital city.

• May 11 • Building Community

  About May’s Session

  Maintaining year-round relationships with patrons can be challenging, but festivals and annual programming organizations have other opportunities to get in touch with their communities outside of the regularly scheduled programming. Join professionals from Charleston Literary Festival and Read Freely Fest as they discuss their organizations’ community-building practices.

  • Register for May 11.

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  Speakers

  Amanda Bagdonas
  Director of Operations, Charleston Literary Festival

  Amanda is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte and served as a high school English and speech & debate teacher and department head. She brought her love of literacy and exploration out of the classroom through summer study abroad programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. She later worked in internal media and communications in sales & operations at Lowe’s Home Improvement, Inc., and executed large events as a property management coordinator at Greystar Real Estate Partners. She loves learning in every capacity: reading, studying, listening, and discussing.

  Sara Jane Salley
  Grants Manager, Read Freely Fest

  Sara Jane Salley, CFRE, is a fundraiser, grants professional, and longtime champion of the arts and nonprofit community. With more than 20 years of experience spanning libraries, museums, historic preservation, humanities, local government, and nonprofit organizations, Sara has built her career around a simple belief: strong communities grow from meaningful connections among people, organizations, and ideas.

  Currently grants manager at Richland Library, Sara has secured and administered public and private funding while helping organizations turn ambitious ideas into meaningful community impact. Her career has also included leadership roles at EdVenture, Historic Columbia Foundation, and the Georgia Humanities Council, as well as service on the board of One Columbia for Arts and Culture.

  A collaborative leader and natural connector, Sara Jane is especially passionate about creating spaces where arts professionals can build relationships, share resources, learn from one another, and feel part of a larger community. She brings to this conversation both professional experience and a genuine belief in the power of connection to sustain the people who make arts and culture possible.