David Cutler is among 21 leaders to serve as a 2018 Fellow

David Cutler, Distinguished Associate Professor of Music Entrepreneurship, has been chosen as one of 21 South Carolina leaders to serve as a 2018 Liberty Fellow. Liberty Fellows pursue creative solutions to the state's greatest challenges and are dynamic, grass-roots leaders who are driven to make a difference in South Carolina.

Liberty Fellowship is a leadership initiative founded by Anna Kate and Hayne Hipp, Wofford College and The Aspen Institute to inspire outstanding leadership, expose rising leaders to diverse perspectives, and enhance intellectual and personal development, thereby empowering leaders to realize their full potential.

Pushing to do more and to be more, the 21 Fellows announced in December 2016 for the Class of 2018 have made a conspicuous mark on their communities, jobs and individual networks. The Liberty Fellowship seminar experience will challenge them to broaden that impact through dialogue, listening and learning to work with those of divergent perspectives for the good of South Carolina.

“The Fellows in this class have a deep understanding of the challenges South Carolina faces and are not afraid to take the hard path to do the right thing,” said Hayne Hipp. “As a class and part of the broader framework of Liberty Fellowship, they will be catalysts for change in South Carolina.”

Since moving to Columbia five years ago, Cutler has made the case to anyone within ear’s reach that the arts can and should play a central role in propelling economic and community development across our state. “I am truly excited for the opportunity to dialogue, debate, bond and grow alongside such a diverse group of distinguished leaders.”

Liberty Fellowship recruits diverse leaders and immerses them in five seminars over 18 months. Through Socratic, round-table discussions, Fellows reflect on what makes a just society, thereby deepening knowledge, broadening perspectives and enhancing their ability to tackle issues. A highlight of the program, the Globalization Seminar, has Liberty Fellows interacting with Fellows from the Aspen Global Leadership Network in locations such as Jordan, India and China. Other key components for each Fellow are being paired with a mentor and undertaking a leadership project aimed at enriching South Carolina.

“These Fellows represent a broad cross-section of the state and will bring an international component to the discussions, as many of them have worked, studied or volunteered abroad,” added Luanne Runge, Liberty Fellowship President and CEO. “Their personal stories are compelling and drive the desire each one has to take a larger leadership role in South Carolina.”

Liberty Fellows for the Class of 2018:

Matt Alexander, Co-founder & CEO – OneWorld Health; Charleston
Kippie Brown, Senior Pastor/Teacher – Springfield Baptist Church; Greenville
Molly Hughes Cherry, Member – Nexsen Pruet; Charleston
Cara Cornelius, Vice President of Customer Service – Michelin North America; Greer
David Cutler, Distinguished Associate Professor of Music Entrepreneurship – USC; Columbia
Tyler Easterling, President & COO – The Brandon Agency; Myrtle Beach
Kacey Eichelberger, Assistant Professor – Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Greenville Health System/USC School of Medicine; Greenville
Kerri Forrest, Director of the Lowcountry Program – Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Charleston
Shawan Gillians, Associate General Counsel – Santee Cooper; Moncks Corner
Darrin Goss, Sr., President & CEO – Coastal Community Foundation; Charleston
Cheryl Grant, Corporate Counsel – SYNNEX Corporation; Greenville
Rob Howell, Senior Vice President – Avison Young; Greenville
Catherine LaCour, Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing – Blackbaud; Charleston
Spann Laffitte, Vice President of Sales & Account Management – Delta Dental of South Carolina; Columbia
Michelle Logan-Owens, COO – Palmetto Health Tuomey; Sumter
John Martin, Partner – Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP; Columbia
Thomas McElveen, Attorney/Partner – Bryan Law Firm of SC, L.L.P.; Member, South Carolina Senate; Sumter
Matt Moore, Chairman – South Carolina Republican Party; Columbia
Ansel Sanders, President & CEO – Public Education Partners; Greenville
J. Strom Thurmond, Solicitor – Second Judicial Circuit of South Carolina; Aiken
Teresa Wilson, City Manager – City of Columbia; Columbia
 
Liberty Fellowship website