Class of 2026 Leadership Retreat
Opening Night: Dinner at The Commons
We kicked off the weekend by breaking bread at The Commons. This is Greenville’s lively, family‑friendly food hall just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail and Unity Park. It's not your average dinner venue; it’s a curated mix of local eateries, coffee, beer, and green space built to bring people together. We shared food, conversation, stories…small details that deepened our connections before the retreat even officially began. It was the perfect start: open, relaxed, intentional.
Friday: Lessons in Growth and Leadership
The morning began with breakfast followed by a panel on Greenville’s revitalization, growth, and trajectory. Panelists Sam Konduros (City of Greenville Economic Development Corporation), Jeff Brown (Greenville Drive), and Heath Dillard (VisitGreenvilleSC) spelled out how vision, public–private partnerships, and sustained investment transformed Greenville’s downtown into an energetic, vibrant community.
Then came the Fanning Institute’s STAR Power simulation with facilitator David Meyers. In the same spirit as our Insights Discovery session with Katie Wynn during orientation, it pushed us to step outside our own perspective. The simulation revealed how resource distribution, competition, and systemic imbalance play out in communities, and how awareness can become a tool for trusted, empathetic leadership.
After a delicious lunch, the second panel tackled Greenville’s challenges and solutions. Cheryl Garrison (Greenville Chamber Foundation), Dr. Larry Miller (Greenville Technical College), and Dorothy Dowe (Greenville City Council) discussed workforce development, talent pipelines, and civic collaboration, illustrating that progress isn’t automatic, and leadership is proven in how challenges are met.
The day wrapped with a debrief, followed by dinner, fellowship, and the annual class talent show. The performances were phenomenal and creatively rich, but all we can say here is that this {best} class {ever} is driven by unicorn dust and turtle power.
Saturday: Bonding in Action
On Saturday we capped off the retreat at Group Therapy Pub and Playground. Mini golf, axe throwing, and plenty of laughs brought the weekend to a close. It was a lighthearted finish that reinforced the cohesion already defining this class.
From Day One to the Retreat: A Continuous Thread
From orientation’s lesson on “lowering the bridge” to the retreat in Greenville, a clear thread has emerged. Thirty-six leaders from across industries and backgrounds came together not just to learn, but to listen and build. We return to Augusta unified, grounded, and committed to lowering the bridges for one another and for our community. The work ahead will define us.