Leadership Grand Strand

Leadership Grand Strand LGS is a 10-month leadership development program sponsored by Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Leadership Grand Strand's curriculum provides broad-based leadership perspectives to familiarize participants with the Grand Strand's needs, opportunities and resources. The course, which traditionally begins with a retreat in September and culminates with graduation in May, explores topics such as historical aspects of the Grand Strand, tourism and economic development, education and law enforcem

ent, human services, government and politics, and the arts. During the full-day sessions scheduled each month, participants work together with local leaders to expand their network of contacts and resources, to increases their breadth of knowledge about the community, and to develop leadership skills. The curriculum also includes community assignments that are related to each month's topic, challenging the participants to explore current issues first-hand. Leadership Grand Strand Objectives

1.Develop informed, trained and committed leaders who understand the issues and needs or our community.

2.Create the opportunity for leaders to meet, establish rapport, and maintain ongoing professional relationships.

3.Ensure that participants involve themselves in greater roles in our community through volunteerism in service and civic organizations, serving on appointed boards and running for local elected offices.

4.Create the opportunity for future leaders to continue to identify and study local issues.

5.Enhance the skills necessary to become effective leaders of the community.

Leadership Grand Strand believes that strong leaders should have opportunities to grow, connect and lead.Scholarship opp...
05/27/2026

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 a...
05/08/2026

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! T...
05/06/2026

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 t...
05/05/2026

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 momen...
04/30/2026

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
04/30/2026

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 lear...
04/29/2026

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!

Have you ever considered applying for Leadership Grand Strand, or are you simply curious about what the program has to o...
04/21/2026

Have you ever considered applying for Leadership Grand Strand, or are you simply curious about what the program has to offer?

Join us Friday, April 24 at 9 a.m. for an exclusive session with Executive Director Shannon Furtick, who will walk you through all the details from class sessions and leadership training to impactful community service projects.

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Shannon Furtick, on receiving the Momentum Excellence in Leadership Award.Tho...
04/20/2026

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Shannon Furtick, on receiving the Momentum Excellence in Leadership Award.

Those who have been through Leadership Grand Strand know the level of commitment and care Shannon brings to developing leaders across our community.

This recognition reflects the example she sets and the impact she continues to have on current participants and alumni alike.

Hop2it Consulting

Congratulations to our 2026 Ann DeBock Award Finalists!Juliet Casper, Class XXII, Partner at Roy & Casper, LLCCecilia Ev...
12/17/2025

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 ###VI, 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.

Address

1200 N Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC
29577

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18439167222

Website

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