21 South Carolina leaders selected for Liberty Fellowship Class of 2027

During his time in public service, Brook helped lead some of the state’s most significant law enforcement matters, including cases involving public corruption, civil rights, human trafficking, violent crime, and fraud. He has long given back to his community through his commitment to shaping the next generation of South Carolina attorneys. As an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, he’s trained students in the art of courtroom advocacy since 2018.

Brook also serves his community as an elder at Downtown Church and as a board member of Transitions Homeless Center. He lives in Columbia with his wife Kim and their three children.

She currently serves as president of International Women’s Forum Carolinas and is on the board of directors for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, working to strengthen the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. Her strategic vision has earned her widespread recognition for improving lives across the state.

Josh now leads Beemok Education, a portfolio of three education organizations – Meeting Street Schools, Meeting Street Scholarship Fund and the Excellence in Teaching Awards – that provide educational opportunities for under-resourced students. At the heart of his work is a long-term vision of helping create generational change in the state’s educational landscape.

For nearly a decade, Katherine has managed a diversified USDA -certified organic farm producing vegetables, flowers, and herbs for a 450 member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), farmers markets, and wholesale. Through her leadership, she represents the vital role of rural farmers in South Carolina’s economy and has a passion for sustainable agriculture and long -term environmental stewardship.

Her candidacy for Congress, her time as Executive Director of Charleston Legal Access, and her current service as a full-time law professor at the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law showcases her tenacity for serving her community. She serves on both the Civil Rights Section and the Diversity Committee of the South Carolina Bar.

Katelyn fights for members of the LGBTQ+ community and is a frequent speaker on inclusive leadership. Rooted in empathy and efficiency, she helps people in her community unlock their full potential within existing institutions.

His career has been marked by the belief that his purpose is to help others reach their full potential. In his work as an attorney and a public servant, he desires for people to know themselves well, discover what they’re passionate about and chase after that goal.

After graduating from Clemson University, she made her way to Columbia, South Carolina where she serves on the board of The Nickelodeon, a non-profit arthouse theater that brings movies and arts experiences to Columbia’s Main Street. She also gives back to her alma mater through her service on the Board of Visitors for the University.

Chikhliker is no stranger to personal adversity, recently surviving an advanced stage blood cancer diagnosis. Despite challenges like this, with the support of his family and countless others, he has pushed himself towards success even in the face of hardship. Last year, he was named to The Best Lawyers in America list.

Through her public service, Shaniece founded the Youth Council Academy, a program designed to help students better understand and engage with local government. She brings her knowledge and energy to several boards in the Upstate, including Prisma Health and the Community Foundation of Greenville, and previously held board roles with South Carolina Hospital Association, Public Education Partners, and Greenville Women Giving. Shaniece works to help communities grow stronger and more connected through research, civic engagement, and collaborative partnerships.

Her leadership has bolstered the state’s economic standing and industrial innovation all while South Carolina is at the forefront of population growth and industry shifts.

With over two decades of experience in real estate development and law, Allison specializes in navigating the complex systems that make affordable housing a reality. Her leadership extends civically as the founding president of the South Carolina Women’s Affordable Housing Network and as a member of the steering committee for the South Carolina Housing – Affordable Housing Summit. Through her extensive community involvement and as a founding board member of Rocky’s House, she focuses on creating sustainable, large-scale impact for residents throughout the region.

Based in Summerville, South Carolina, Steve leads initiatives focused on protecting children and vulnerable communities while advancing IJM’s mission to bring rescue, restoration, and lasting justice.

After spending seven years with Verizon, Ashley’s journey brought her to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where she has now spent more than a decade serving at the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation. Through her work in philanthropy, she helps lead efforts focused on improving the lives of Georgetown County residents and strengthening the long-term future of the community.

Ashley’s commitment to civic leadership extends far beyond her professional role. She actively volunteers with organizations and schools throughout Georgetown County and serves on the HGTC Foundation Board as well as the Coastal Carolina University Spadoni College Board of Visitors. Whether she is supporting education initiatives, investing in youth leadership, or helping convene conversations around community impact, Ashley is passionate about bringing people together to create lasting change.

A graduate of The Citadel, Michael brings discipline and a pragmatic approach to everything he does. He is passionate about strengthening communities through equitable economic development, investment, technical assistance, and financial literacy.

His research and expertise have helped students and community members better understand history and how it continues to shape the lives of South Carolinians. In October 2025, Otis published a book with USC Press about the role that theology and ecclesiology played in shaping interracial interaction both within the nineteenth century Presbyterian Church and southern society broadly.

Otis is attempting to try and elevate the lives of every South Carolinian by bringing history to events across the state in places like Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Aiken, Florence and everywhere in-between that will have him. His “history on the road” initiatives are reaching South Carolinians through his service at Clemson and also through his service on the board of the South Carolina Humanities Council. He is also part of a group at Clemson attempting to create a higher education in prison initiative so that all South Carolinians have the dignity and opportunity to receive continuing education no matter their status.

As President and CEO of the Palmetto Project, Aaron focuses on catalytic public-private partnerships — working across both the business sector, in his role as CEO, and government, in his position as a city council member in Charleston. 

Through his leadership, Aaron addresses systemic challenges and works to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.

Derrick has worked in more than 35 states supporting campaigns, organizations, and communities through strategic planning, coalition building, and civic engagement. He is also the Founder and Principal Consultant of NextWave Consulting Group, a public policy and strategy consulting firm focused on community-centered solutions. Derrick currently serves as a mentor with the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Thomas E. Kerns Elementary School and previously served as a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.

With degrees from the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Saria applies her expertise not only in her role, but also in her service to boards such as the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians and the United Way of Greenville County.

Rion is an avid outdoors person and he sold his ownership shares of Outdoor Sports Marketing, in April of 2025, after purchasing the company in 1999 and running it successfully for 25 years.

Rion has served locally on the Friends of the Reedy River and Triune Mercy Center boards. He is currently the board chair of Prisma Health Upstate Foundation and serve in a support and advisory position with the Parish House Community Development Corporation.

Rion enjoys riding bikes, running, hiking, swimming, traveling for perspective, enjoying time with family.