PROGRAM

Join SMPS Palmetto for this exciting panel discussion as we celebrate and gain inspiration from the women leaders in our industry! We will learn how these women have discovered their leadership styles as well as:

•    What it takes to be strong leaders within your firm
•    Challenges facing women in A/E/C leadership positions
•    Ways to successfully drive change within your organization
•    How to gain fulfillment outside of the workplace
•    Inspiration for the next generation of women (and men!) leaders

This luncheon's goal is for you to feel empowered to chart your own leadership path, as well as be equipped with tools for success in the A/E/C community. 

Lunch will be served. Tickets are highly limited and walk-ups will not be able to be accommodated. Early registration is encouraged!

Join us as a Program Sponsor for this event!

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Makenna Tschetter | Director of Marketing, OneSpartanburg, Inc.

Makenna serves as Director of Marketing at OneSpartanburg, Inc., where she leads strategic initiatives that position Spartanburg as a vibrant place to live, work, play and invest. With over two years at OneSpartanburg, Inc., she brings a strong, on-the-ground understanding of the community and a deep appreciation for what makes Spartanburg unique. She oversees both destination marketing and talent attraction efforts, developing data-driven campaigns that foster community pride, attract new residents, support workforce development, and drive tourism.

Through her work, Makenna is passionate about elevating Spartanburg's story and supporting the region's long-term economic growth. She is a proud graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing with a minor in Psychology (Go Tigers!).

Dr. Julie Fowler | Superintendent, Spartanburg School District 3

Dr. Julie Fowler is the former deputy state superintendent at the S.C. State Department of Education and currently serves as the superintendent of Spartanburg School District Three. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary and special education, followed by a Master of Education from Winthrop University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Clemson University.

Dr. Fowler has served on a variety of local, state, regional, and national boards throughout her career. She is currently serving locally on the Mary Black Foundation Board where she serves as chair of the audit committee, OneSpartanburg’s Talent Council, board of United Way of the Piedmont, Spartanburg Community College Board of Commissioners, Spartanburg Promise executive committee, and chair of the Eastside Leadership Group.

Dr. Fowler invests in the county by speaking and supporting the work foundational to Movement 2030. She has been the keynote for BMW Rising Scholars, the Harvard Fellows, and is featured in the National Strive Together video for Movement 2030. She is active at the state level in many capacities to include The South Carolina Association for School Administrators where she has served as chair of many divisions. She served for eight years on the Winthrop University Board of Trustees in leadership roles including chair of the presidential search.

Dr. Fowler has been named District Administrator of the Year for SC, and she is currently a nominee for SC Superintendent of the Year. Spartanburg School District Three was named a National District of Distinction Finalist in 2024.

Jessica Greer, AIA, NCARB | Senior Associate, Project Manager + Architect, McMillan Pazdan Smith

Jessica brings 17 years of experience spanning both the design and management aspects of architecture. With a strong focus on community-centered projects, she recognizes the power of architecture to create meaningful, lasting places. Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that there is nothing more rewarding than contributing—at any scale—to projects that serve communities and expand opportunities for those around them.

In recent years, Jessica has successfully managed several of the Spartanburg studio’s most notable projects, including the new Spartanburgers Baseball Stadium. Her leadership and contributions have been recognized internally through her promotion to Senior Associate, as well as her completion of two internal leadership programs. She is also an active member of MPS Mosaic, an internal initiative dedicated to empowering team members through resources and shared knowledge to enrich the experience of our collective creative community. Outside of MPS, she is involved with AIA Spartanburg and serves on the Board for PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. (formerly Partners for Active Living), a local nonprofit aimed at improving the health and wellness throughout Spartanburg County, the Saluda Grade Advisory Committee, and Saluda Conservancy Board.

OUR MODERATOR
Leah Blanton | Business Development, Find Great People

As a member of FGP’s Business Development Team, Leah works to generate new business relationships while maintaining partnerships with already established clients. Leah is based out of FGP’s Greenville office but primarily focuses her efforts on clients throughout Spartanburg and the Upstate region of South Carolina. For each client, Leah evaluates specific situations to identify organizational needs and match those needs with talent solutions that will best help clients achieve their business goals.

Prior to joining the FGP team, Leah worked as a Home Health Liaison for Interim of the Upstate coordinating skilled nursing and therapy services for patients in their homes. Leah is a graduate of Furman University.

PROGRAM SPONSORS
Would your firm like to sponsor this program? Through the generous donations of our sponsors, our chapter is able to continue to provide high quality programs in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. Additional program sponsorship opportunities for this program are available. If you would like to become a program sponsor, please contact our Sponsorship Directors.  Program sponsorships are $500.

REGISTRATION DETAILS & CANCELLATION POLICY FOR ALL SMPS PROGRAMS
The ticket price for members and non-members includes lunch. Online registration is required. Refunds will only be granted if cancellation is made within 48 hours of the start time and will only be provided in the form of a credit to another program. No refunds will be made for no-shows. Email [email protected] for substitution or refund requests. 

SMPS Palmetto reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by SMPS, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.