2024 Employer Summit Speakers

Keynote Speaker, Alex Jackson: Employing with Intention: A Focus on Multi-Marginalized Identities in the Workplace

Alex Jackson is a native of Charleston. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies Communication from the College of Charleston and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication also from the College of Charleston. Jackson is a Public Affairs Specialist at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic in Charleston, SC, and is the writer of a disability blog called Tuesday Talk With Alex where he shares his personal experiences of living with a spinal cord injury. Jackson is skilled in radio and television broadcasting, photography, and videography. With his love for media, Jackson enjoys promoting disability awareness and advocacy through various platforms. He serves on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association, the Disability Board of Charleston County, the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation, and the City of Charleston Mayor’s Commission for Disability Issues. Alex Jackson's motto is that he is living with a disability and a purpose! And he wants to show that anything is possible when living with a disability. 

Session Speaker, Jody Powell: Cultivating Mental Wellness at Work: Strategies for a Thriving Workplace

Jody Powell is the Director of Human Resources for a hospitality logistics company in Moore, SC and a seasoned professional with a rich background in marketing, human resources, and entrepreneurship. A 1996 graduate of USC Upstate with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Jody began his career in marketing within the life insurance industry before transitioning to a financial institution. He later co-founded a successful health and wellness studio with his wife, which they sold after two years. His career evolved to include leadership roles in Human Resources, overseeing teams in marketing, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations and employee engagement. A passionate public speaker, Jody advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking and has spoken at multiple conferences, companies and events.

 Panelist, Allison Fleahman, Workforce Coordinator at Bon Secours

Allison has a background as a Special Education Specialist for Greenville County Schools, where she supported diverse learners with disabilities and helped launch the Project SEARCH site in partnership with Bon Secours and SC Vocational Rehabilitation. Her passion for promoting successful post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities led her to her current role, where she now advocates for equity and inclusivity full-time. In addition to her work at Bon Secours, Allison is involved with the Barbara Stone Foundation, Greenville CAN Coalition, and the Greenville County Workforce Development Board, contributing to initiatives for disability awareness and employment. She played a key role in developing the SC High School Credential and holds degrees in Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University and Special Education from Clemson University.

Panelist, Matt Hall, DDE NA Mirror Product Manager at Michelin

Matt grew up moving across the United States with his parents and twin brother, who is disabled from birth and uses a wheelchair.  His high school years were spent in the mountains of southwest Virginia.  College was at Cornell University and Virginia Tech, studying mechanical engineering as part of the Navy ROTC, which led to active duty as an officer on a destroyer.  Michelin then hired him as an industrial engineer, which is where he got his manufacturing experience.  He managed a move into R&D at Michelin and has been there ever since, with one short assignment in the Marketing department.  32 years later he is planning retirement with his wife of 37 years.  They have 3 daughters who have all been diagnosed with autism, which led Matt to realize he, too, is on the spectrum.  This, along with his brother’s experience, is what fueled his desire to help others with a disability.  He currently leads the capABLE BRG at Michelin NA.

 Panelist, Keela Glover, Corporate Philanthropy, Dominion Energy of South Carolina.

Keela R. Glover is a senior communications specialist in the Corporate Philanthropy department of Dominion Energy. She has been with the company for more than 22 years, working in corporate communications where she was responsible for employee and executive communications. For the past two years, she has served as the communications lead for the DiverseAbility employee resource group.

She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Journalism -- Public Relations. Community service is her passion. She currently serves on the Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina Midlands board, is vice president of the Columbia Museum of Art’s Friends of African American Art & Culture board, and just completed two terms on the Richland Library Friends + Foundation board. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.