Partnerships for Economic Prosperity
In 2021, Sustain SC partnered with The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University to establish the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI).
The SLI focuses on developing the qualities leaders need to steer South Carolina through unprecedented changes in human and natural communities. Those selected to be part of the exclusive program make up a robust cross-boundary stakeholder network of state leaders with the knowledge, skills, and desire to collaborate and support each other in identifying pathways and executing solutions for a sustainable future.
Fifty SLI Fellows have successfully completed the program, which means they are certified as Sustainability Leadership Fellows for the next three years and remain part of an active and tight-knit network of sustainability leaders. The new class of 26 participants marks the largest class of Fellows to date.
"The current SLI class is an exceptionally talented team positioned to lead sustainability initiatives in South Carolina," said Sustain SC Senior Vice President Cynthia Davis. "In just two years, this unique leadership development program has flourished. I'm honored and excited to be a part of this ongoing journey of fostering sustainable change and nurturing the trailblazers who will make it happen."
Becoming an SLI Fellow is more than a badge of honor, it’s a networking opportunity and chance to bring concepts, ideas and action to the workplace. The program cycle spans eight months from October to April and brings members all over the state for special site visits, leadership development sessions and field experiences. This unique opportunity allows Fellows to learn about company best practices, processes and plans, hear from sustainability professionals and witness first-hand how commerce and conservation can work in tandem. Leadership development sessions delve into the implementation of sustainability as well as the concepts of systems thinking, harnessing conflict, and communicating sustainability. These concepts culminate into a strategic foresight approach that considers multiple future scenarios to help organizations make better decisions today and create a more sustainable social, technological, and environmental tomorrow.
“SLI helps bring about candid conversations and foster collaboration across various sectors,” said Andrew Predmore, Executive Director of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University. “Each class of fellows has helped push the boundaries of what can be done to facilitate change in South Carolina. This is just the beginning and the interest continues to build.”
It will take strong partnerships in order to attract new sustainable industries and enhance the existing ones in South Carolina. Courtney Quinn, Ph.D., President of Nested Sustainability Consulting, served as the SLI Program Director since its inception and said the program is fulfilling its purpose.
“The SLI program provides the platform and otherwise rare opportunity for sustainability leaders to get in the same room together on a regular basis,” Courtney Quinn said. “Their ability to collaborate across sectors through deep listening and honest conversation is a model for sustainability leadership both locally and globally. It’s encouraging to see so many great candidates show interest in the program.”
The inaugural class crafted a Fellows’ Statement of Purpose that embodies SLI’s vision and aspirations:
“We are visionaries and collaborators who find and implement transformative strategies at the intersection of commerce and conservation to facilitate systems change. We build trust through sharing ideas, solutions, and best practices while challenging each other and celebrating sustainability successes.”
