October 20-21, 2025
Spartanburg Marriott
About this Event
The Upstate Talent Forum is a dynamic, two-day event co-hosted by USC Upstate and our regional chamber partners, uniting leaders from industry, education, and government to collaboratively shape the future of the Upstate’s workforce. This joint initiative reflects a strong, shared commitment to advancing talent development, aligning workforce strategies, and promoting economic mobility across the region.
Now in its third year, the Forum features interactive sessions and thought-provoking panels that tackle South Carolina’s most pressing workforce challenges. Together, we explore innovative strategies, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and build a smarter, more resilient future for our students, communities, and employers.
Registration Now Open
Join regional and national leaders this October to bridge South Carolina’s talent gap—register now to save your spot and take advantage of early bird pricing.
Please consider being a sponsor of the Upstate Talent Forum. You will demonstrate your company’s commitment to closing the talent gap and creating career pathways for the next generation. Align your brand with the University and regional leaders who are building solutions together.
How to Sponsor the 2025 Upstate Talent Forum
Learn from Visionary Leaders
Hear from national and regional experts on workforce development and discover how their vision can help transform industries and the economy in the Upstate.
Engage in Interactive Sessions
Join collaborative breakouts and dynamic conversations designed to give you actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
Experience More Value Than Ever
Building on the success of the past two years, we’ve expanded networking, learning opportunities, and resources to maximize your conference experience.
Travel & Accommodations
The conference will be held at the downtown Spartanburg Marriott
299 North Church Street, Spartanburg
Greenville Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). Distance From Hotel: 19.1 Miles
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Monday
Day one of the Upstate Talent Forum is packed with sessions on workforce strategies, AI trends, education-to-workforce pathways, and talent development in manufacturing.
- 8:45 am Special Guest: SC Lieutenant Governor Pamela Sue Evette
- 9:30 am Presentation and Fireside Chat – Louis Stewart, NVIDIA
- 11:00 am Breakout Sessions
1. Successful Strategies for Economic Development – Talent Demographics
2. Successful Talent Development Strategies for the Manufacturing Sector
3. Successful Talent Development Strategies for the Hospitality Sector - 1:00 pm Presentation: Rising Storm- Ron Hetrick, Lightcast
- 2:00 pm Breakout Sessions
4. AI for Workforce Development
5. Successful Talent Development Strategies for the Healthcare Sector
6. National Strategy on Talent – Transportation Sector - 3:15 pm Presentation: Talent is the Currency of the Economic Development
- 4:15 pm Closing Remarks: Michelle Seaver, United Community Bank
Tuesday
Day two of the Upstate Talent Forum continues with sessions on local and state workforce strategies and the vital role higher education plays in talent development.
- 9:00 am Presentation: Recruitment & Retention Of Upstate Businesses
- 9:30 am Presentation: Talent Gap Analysis – Upstate SC
- 10:30 am Introduction of Talent Working Groups
- Talent Working Groups Discussion
- Corporate Culture Presentation
- Talent Working Groups Wrap-Up
- 12:45 pm Panel: Statewide Talent Strategy and Policy
- 1:30 pm Panel: Higher Education’s Continuing Relevance
- 2:30 pm Closing Keynote: Power of Partnerships
- 3:15pm: Closing Remarks: Chancellor Bennie Harris, USC Upstate
Upstate Talent Forum
For the complete schedule and speaker/panelist Information
Wondering where to eat during your stay
Discover our curated list of Spartanburg restaurants offering a true taste of the city — perfect for lunch or dinner, whether you’re dining downtown or exploring the county.
> Restaurants
2025 Partners
Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D.
Chancellor
USC Upstate
Allen Smith
President & CEO
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Carlos Phillips
President & CEO
Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Katie Collins
President & CEO
Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce
2025 Special Guest
Pamela Evette | Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
Pamela Evette is the 93rd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and the first female Republican lieutenant governor.
An entrepreneur and businesswoman, Evette has received numerous accolades including the ATHENA Leadership Award®, Enterprising Woman of the Year Award, the Joseph H. Rainey Empowered Leadership Award, and was named a She Leads Woman of Distinction by She Leads America.
As. Lt. Governor, Evette has used her professional background to highlight S.C.’s thriving small business ecosystem, attract new business to the state, and promote innovative public-private partnerships. She has also worked to support public safety, early childhood education, school choice, youth employment, workforce development, and non-profits.
2025 Keynote Speakers
Louis Stewart | NVIDIA
Louis Stewart is Head of National Ecosystem Strategy at NVIDIA, where he leads initiatives aligning government, academia, and industry to advance AI adoption, innovation, and economic growth. Previously, he served as Sacramento’s first Chief Innovation Officer and as California’s Deputy Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Stewart also brings nearly two decades of private-sector leadership in sales, marketing, and IT.
Ron Hetrick | Lightcast
Ron Hetrick is Senior Labor Economist and Vice President of Staffing Product at Lightcast, with nearly 30 years of experience analyzing the U.S. labor market. He previously served as a senior economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics and as chief economist for the largest staffing company in the U.S. A frequent commentator for outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC, Hetrick is the lead author of The Demographic Drought and co-lead author of Who is Going to Do the Work?. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on workforce and labor market trends.
2025 Speakers
Larry Miller, Ph.D.
President
Greenville Technical College
Sadie Battle
Vice President of Human Resources
South Carolina Ports Authority
Katie Collins
President & CEO
Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce
Sam Konduros
President and CEO
Greenville City EDC
Michelle Seaver
President
United Community Bank
Allen Smith
President and CEO
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Dr. Ottilia Dill,Ed.D.
Senior Director of Talent Management
Milliken
Michael Carroll
Strategic Advisor and Research Fellow
Trek.AI
Tiffany Tate
Talent & Strategic Projects Manager
Upstate SC Alliance
Sudeep Kesh
Managing Director of Innovation and Disruptive Technology
S&P Global Ratings
Ryan Faught
Senior Vice President of People
Milo’s Tea Company
Monigo Saygbay-Hallie, Ph.D.
EVP & Chief People Officer
Denny’s
Billy Dunlap
Chief Tourism Development Officer
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Leah Blanton
Business Client Representative
Find Great People
Katherine O’Neill
Chief Economic Development Officer
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Don Bent
Executive in Residence and Distinguished Professor of Practice
USC Upstate
Michelle Pearson
Director of Customer Experience
JAS Forwarding USA
Dean Hybl
Executive Director
Ten at the Top
Hunter Hill
Senior Research Analyst
Lightcast
Laura Cox
Director of Regional Workforce Advisors
SC Dept. of Employment / Workforce
Kara Bloomberg
President
Landrum, Inc.
Kelly Dawsey
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
GSP International Airport
Jody Powell
Professional Speaker
JodyPowellSpeaks.com
Phil Feisal
President
Spartanburg Medical
Center, SHRS
Dr. Octavia Amaechi
Chief Medical Officer
ReGenesis Health Care
Tim Jarrett
Managing Partner
BNG Hospitality
Lilla Mandsager
Executive Director for Continuous Improvement
SC Department of Education
Carlos Phillips
President and CEO
Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Chad Cousins
CEO and Principal
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Past Speakers
John Uprichard
CEO
Find Great People
Christina Gardner-McCune, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Florida
Matt Sigelman
President
Burning Glass Institute
Katherine O’Neill – Moderator
Chief Economic Development Officer
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Dr. Jeff Perez
President and Executive Director
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Don Bent
Former COO, Oshkosh Defense, and Executive in Residence
USC Upstate
Jack McBride
Founder and CEO
Contec, Inc.
Sam Konduros
President and CEO
Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC)
Art Seaver
CEO
Southern First Bank
Thomas Payne
Country Head Automotive and Industrial Logistics Solutions
Siemens
Parkes Coggin
Vice President
Heart, Vascular and Oncology Services
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Paul Sinanian
Department Manager, Qualification, Apprentice & Future Talent Programs
BMW Mfg. Co., LLC
2025 Forum Facilitators
Christopher Taylor
Vice Chancellor
External Affairs
USC Upstate
Taylor Dement
Vice President of Talent Strategy
OneSpartanburg, Inc.
2025 Sponsors
Convening Sponsors
Lead Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Talent Pledge Framework
USC Upstate contracted Lightcast to assist in developing the Upstate Talent Pledge. Through breakout sessions, the first event resulted in findings available here in the Talent Pledge Framework. The framework also includes collective actions for employers and the university.
