Charleston Leaders

Charleston Leaders is a Leadership Development Organization in Charleston, SC. The organization's mission is to foster and develop leaders within the community through programming focused on leadership development. It serves professionals in the Charleston metro area, aiming to create business, community, and individual success by developing opportunities that complement learning for leaders of all ages. The group engages with local business, community members, and children who are viewed as future leaders. A central offering is the Leader Academy, a program designed for high school sophomores to discover their leadership potential. This academy matches students with community needs, resources, and opportunities, providing monthly interactions with community leaders and partners to examine issues facing the region.

The organization operates as a collective group of business leaders in the Charleston Region who engage with one another to foster future leaders. They develop relationships, support youth leaders, and harness shared knowledge to better the community. Annual opportunities are created to engage, inform, and develop leaders, alongside volunteer, committee, and leadership roles. Ruthann Kelly Hipps is the Founder and Executive Director, bringing over 25 years of experience in sales and relationship management. Her background includes 15 years as a Sales Manager in the advertising department of The Post and Courier and a tenure as Senior Director of Sponsorship Sales for The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The board includes Tim Rogers, Board President and Managing Director of Charleston Stage, who has two decades of experience in business growth and sales strategy. Trischia Khouri, CEO and Founder of KhouriGroup, contributes expertise in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Kent Floyd brings over two decades of experience in the HVAC industry, while Michael Renault offers more than 21 years of experience as a commercial banker.

The office is located at 176 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29403. It sits on Lockwood Drive, about a tenth of a mile from the SCFOP Lodge #5 Police Memorial and the Charleston Department of Traffic & Transportation. Brittlebank Park and Gadsden Creek are also within a tenth of a mile, as is John H. White Boulevard.

Charleston Leaders stands out in the Charleston, SC leadership development sector by directly connecting experienced regional professionals with high school students. This structure allows the organization to bridge the gap between established business expertise and the next generation of community leaders.

Services:

• Leader Academy
• Leader Networking Events