Board & Staff

Maurie Lawrence

Chair

Hughes Development Corporation

Maurie Lawrence brings her legal knowledge and experience in influencing the built environment, as well as a long commitment to community boards and projects. She currently lectures at Clemson’s Master in Real Estate Development program and works at Hughes Development Corporation. Maurie is a graduate of Smith College and Georgetown University Law Center.

Stacey Mills

Vice Chair

USC Upstate, Mountain View Baptist Church

Stacey D. Mills is Executive Director of USC Upstate Greenville Campus. Stacey has also served as Senior Pastor to Mountain View Baptist Church in Downtown Greenville for the past 20 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (English and Secondary Education) from the University of South Carolina Upstate and completed coursework toward the Master of Education Degree in Teaching at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.

Stacey other community roles include the City of Greenville Comprehensive Development Plan Advisory Committee; Board Chairman, Urban League of the Upstate; Boy Scouts of America Blue Ridge Council Board of Directors; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and alumnus of Leadership Greenville Class 40, the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative, and Leadership Spartanburg.

Meredith Eicken

Secretary

Prisma Health, USC School of Medicine Greenville

Meredith Eicken MD, MPH is a primary care Internal Medcine-Pediatrics physician with Prisma Health and Clinical Assistant Professor at USC School of Medicine Greenville. Following residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital, she completed the Kraft Fellowship in Community Health Leadership during which time she earned her MPH in Health Policy from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. She has a particular interest in clinical-community partnerships to address the social determinants of health and healthcare for vulnerable populations.

Sabrina Preston

Treasurer

Dixon Hughes Goodman

Sabrina Preston is with Dixon Hughes Goodman and is a manager in the DHG Healthcare Greenville, South Carolina office and a member of the Firm’s notforprofit and healthcare team. She provides audit services for not-for-profit and healthcare clients, including a variety of governmental clients. Sabrina manages several engagements under the Uniform Guidance. She has completed consulting engagements to assist clients better their internal control processes. She has presented at various educational events for healthcare entities and not-for-profit organizations sponsored by trade associations and/or DHG.

Sabrina is currently assistant treasurer on a not-for-profit board in Greenville, South Carolina. She also participated in the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants Leadership Institute.

Alecia Brewster

Skilled in nonprofit management and committed to building trusting relationships and alignments that create impact, Alecia serves as Program Director for Sustaining Way and South Carolina Interfaith Power & Light. Alecia also co-leads the Greenville County Mentoring Collaborative, serves as a Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council Member, and is Past President of Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club. Alecia holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from College of Charleston and a Master of Public Administration from Clemson University.

Alecia’s work is rooted in faith and a vision for just and sustainable communities that care for all.

Kelly Byers

Kelly Byers, CFRE is the Director of Individual Giving at the Peace Center. Kelly also serves on the City Council of Travelers Rest and on the boards of Greenville First Steps, Foothills Family Resources, Travelers Rest Farmers Market, euphoria, and Association of Fundraising Professionals. In her spare time, Kelly can be found on stage performing with Alchemy Comedy Theater.

Ben Clauss

The Clauss Ellison Group, Merrill Lynch

Ben Clauss, CFA, is Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch. Ben joined Merrill Lynch almost 20 years ago and is now partner in The Clauss and Ellison Group. He became a CFA Charterholder in 2006 and earned his mechanical engineering degree from Clemson University. He is also a Community Foundation Board member.    

Andy Coburn

Wyche Law Firm

Andy Coburn is an attorney with the Wyche law firm where he has assisted clients with mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation and other corporate matters for 19 years. Before becoming an attorney, Andy spent almost four years as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter on Capitol Hill. He is currently a trustee of the Greenville Little Theatre Endowment and the Premier Foundation and has served as a trustee of the Meals on Wheels of Greenville endowment.

Martina Durham

Venice PRTF

Martina Durham is a Quality Assurance Assistant for Venice PRTF. She has a passion for children and their well-being as well as their overall success in life. She is an active volunteer for SAVeverydaysc.org, Upstate Circle of Friends, and a member of the International Free and Accepted Modern Mason, Inc and Order of the Eastern Star.

Michael Forman

GSP Airport District, Conduit Planning LLC

Michael Forman, AICP is a Project Specialist for the GSP Airport District Commercial Business Department where he is responsible for the planning, development, oversight, and implementation of department and program specific projects. Michael is also the President of Conduit Planning LLC, which provides consultation to communities seeking long range planning and zoning guidance. Michael currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Mauldin Planning Commission and is Co-Chair of the Ten at the Top Sustainable Growth Task Force. Michael holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Economics from the University of Florida. Michael has lived, worked, and played in the Upstate with his wife and two daughters since 2008.

Alex Garvey

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Alex Garvey, Ph.D. joined Bon Secours Francis in 2016 as Senior Vice President of Mission. Alex was born in Cork, Ireland, at a Bon Secours sister hospitals, and speaks Gaelic and English. He previously served as Vice President of Mission and Ethics for Bon Secours Hampton Roads as well as the Mission leader for Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Harbour View, Maryview Nursing Care Center, and Province Place of Maryview. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Practical Theology from Barry University and his Doctoral degree in Ethics from Duquesne University. Alex oversees the Spiritual Care team, Healthy Community Initiatives, Human Trafficking Initiatives, and leads the Ethics program. Alex enjoys spending family time with his wife and son, and meeting the friendly people of South Carolina.

Janet Kouten, CPA

Elliott Davis Decosimo, LLC

Janet Kouten, CPA is a tax manager in the personal financial services group at Elliott Davis. She serves high net worth individuals and family groups, working closely with the businesses connected to them.  She focuses on providing quality income tax planning and compliance services for estates, trusts, and investment partnerships.  She also advises clients on philanthropic planning, including assisting with the formation of and compliance for various nonprofit entities.  Janet is also a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council.

Michelle Mahle, CPA

Michelle Mahle, CPA is a tax shareholder for Elliott Davis. As the firm’s tax operations and innovation leader, she is responsible for developing and implementing both current and long-term strategies for the firm’s tax practice. Prior to taking on this role, Michelle provided tax compliance and consulting services to closely held businesses, business owners and individuals for more than 20 years. Her client facing experience has made her acutely aware of the direct needs of her customers and her internal, operational focus allows her to optimize service levels throughout the firm. Michelle is still fairly new to Greenville, but has prior Board experience with The Intergenerational School (TIS), Solon Stars USA Swim Club, and the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Society of CPAs in Northeast Ohio.

Rut Rivera

Prisma Health

Rut is Manager of the PASOs Program, providing access to care and other resources in Greenville for the Hispanic community. Rut came to the United States from Venezuela in 2000 with her family. After finishing college in 2008, Rut began working as a medical interpreter with Prisma Health (formerly Greenville Health System). In addition to her work with PASOs, Rut serves as a member of several Prisma Health Upstate committees, on the board of LiveWell Greenville, with the Hispanic Alliance, and on the EMERGE SC board of directors.

Robert Thomas

Alice Company, Inc.

Robert Thomas, CPA, has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Alice Company, Inc. since 2002. He is currently a trustee of the Fourth Presbyterian Church endowment and has previously served on the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance as well as a trustee of the Meals on Wheels of Greenville endowment. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, Accounting and Applied Mathematics.

Katy Smith

Executive Director

Katy Smith, MSW, has served as Executive Director of Piedmont Health Foundation since 2005. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in community planning and nonprofit strategy to the policy and systems focus of the foundation.  She also leads the Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy (greenvillephilanthropy.org).

Kate Lewis

Communications Fellow