The Leadership Institute at USC Salkehatchie is proud to announce the members of the Leadership Salkehatchie Class of 2026. This year’s cohort represents a dynamic group of professionals committed to advancing the economic and civic landscape of the Salkehatchie region.

The program officially launched on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with an Orientation at the Atrium on the Allendale campus. The session, titled ‘Leading with Purpose,’ set the stage for a six-month journey of regional exploration and professional growth.

"We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of individuals into the Leadership Salkehatchie family," Shelby Broomfield, Director of the Leadership Institute, said. "Our mission is to cultivate a network of informed, connected, and motivated leaders who are prepared to drive positive change. By examining the unique challenges and opportunities within our six-county region, these participants will develop the collaborative skills necessary to strengthen our communities and ensure a prosperous future for the Salkehatchie area."

The following individuals have been selected for this year’s program:

Name	Employer	County/Counties Served
Adam Altman	Adam's Nursery and Landscaping, LLC	Barnwell
Leeanna Biery	Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC	Beaufort
Logan Colburn	City of Hardeeville	Jasper
Molly Crosby	Hampton County	Hampton
Katrina Douse	Barnwell County Government	Barnwell
Anthony Flowers	Williston-Elko High School	Barnwell
Stephone Glover	Glover Moving Company, LLC	Bamberg
Patricia Hall	Allendale County First Steps	Allendale
Thomas Higgs	Colleton County	Colleton
Leslie Johnson	SC Dept. of Employment & Workforce	Colleton, Jasper, Hampton
Erin Long	Hampton County School District	Hampton
Kendall Malphrus	Jasper County Chaber of Commerce	Jasper
Sarah Miller	USC Salkehatchie	Allendale, Colleton
Racheal Neece	SRP Federal Credit Union	Barnwell
Leigh Ann Osborne	Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School	Bamberg
Brianna Parker	Palmetto Rural Telephone Company	Colleton, Hampton
Kywana Ritter	Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber	Allendale, Barnwell

 

The Psychology of Leadership

The afternoon featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Linda Salane, CEO of Why Not Now Consulting & Executive Coaching. In her intensive session, "Your Brain Rules: Thinking and Acting Like a Leader," Dr. Salane provided participants with a deep dive into the neuroscience of leadership.

Dr. Salane focused her presentation on the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), a neuroscience-based  “Whole Brain” model that maps cognitive preferences—analytical, structural, interpersonal, and strategic—to strengthen communication, teamwork, decision‑making, and performance. Participants worked in teams with similar thinking styles and then with teams of different styles to learn how to better collaborate and communicate across cognitive differences.

Empowering the Region

Leadership Salkehatchie is a premier development program designed to empower residents of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Over the next six months, this class will engage with subject matter experts on critical regional issues, including economic development, education, and healthcare, while completing a community service project designed to leave a tangible impact on the Lowcountry.