We are proud that so many of our team members across The Johnson Group are actively involved in board service and non-profit volunteerism efforts outside of office hours.
Hear from team members across The Johnson Group about the organizations and causes that they choose to give their time to support:
Alex Powell (JDA), who serves on the Boards of the Northside Development Group and Urban Land Institute South Carolina, says, “In a place like Spartanburg, I feel like I can make a greater impact by lending my time to a variety of volunteer opportunities. There are so many great non-profit organizations in the area. As many people say, you truly get more out of volunteering than you give, and I find it very rewarding.”
Serving on the Board of Toastmasters, Devon Cohen (ACA) shares, “Toastmasters is helping me to find my voice in leadership and everyday communication. I serve as an Executive Officer, serving as an ambassador and developing organizational strategies to assist other members with their growth. What I love about volunteering is the ability to help and be helped. We can all be better at something and this organization is helping me grow in so many ways, while also helping those around me.”
Amanda Cluney (OTO), who recently completed her Masters in Business Analytics from USC Upstate, has found fulfillment through involvement with Spartanburg Young Professionals. “Spartanburg Young Professionals (SYP) educates and develops the next generation of Spartanburg leaders through social, leadership, and civic opportunities. I joined SYP shortly after graduating because I wanted to continue to meet new people and felt it was a great opportunity to build my network with other young professionals in my community. My favorite thing about volunteering as chair of the social committee is having the ability to plan and execute exciting events that connect young professionals in my community, especially in the past year when socializing and networking has been difficult but needed more than ever. I can’t wait to get back to in-person events to continue meeting new faces!”
Brooks Gaylord (JDA) is passionate about the Children’s Advocacy Center because of her earlier career experiences, sharing, “I have been on the CAC Board since 2019 and began serving as Secretary in October 2020. Earlier in my career I prosecuted domestic violence cases and saw firsthand the impact that the Children’s Advocacy Center has on children who are the victims of abuse. The Children’s Advocacy Center helps give voice to those children and connects them with services and treatments to help them heal from what they have experienced and seen. I believe in the CAC’s mission and am humbled to support the phenomenal work they do by serving on the Board.”
Likewise, Denise Beers-Kiepper (OTO) found ways to connect with her passions when she relocated from Michigan to Spartanburg. “I am passionate about education, especially youth education, and the arts so volunteering with United Way and Ballet Spartanburg were an obvious fit. I believe education is the true key to helping increase the shift out of poverty. I grew up watching my family volunteer in many ways and was exposed to volunteering at a very young age. For me, giving the gifts I’ve been given has always been a passion, not an obligation. I’ve met people in Spartanburg who share my passions and that’s where I’ve chosen to volunteer my time.”
Dana Gottman (ACA) chooses to give her time to an effort directly impacting our ability to attract and retain strong talent in Spartanburg, saying, “I volunteer with OneSpartanburg because as Spartanburg continues to grow and flourish that has a direct impact on our efforts to attract, develop, and retain talent at ACA. I love the opportunity to meet and partner with community, education, and business leaders to grow Spartanburg.”
There are many ways that our team members are making a huge impact in the communities in which we live. If you are interested in finding ways to volunteer, your local United Way website offers information about getting connected.