2023 Employer Summit Speakers

Keynote Speaker: W. Keller Kissam, President of Dominion Energy South Carolina

W. Keller Kissam is president–Dominion Energy South Carolina.

He oversees Dominion Energy’s regulated utility in South Carolina serving about 1.1 million electric and gas customer accounts.

Prior to the merger with Dominion Energy, Kissam joined SCANA in 1988 as a new utility professional and held numerous positions in both electric and gas operations. He was named vice president-Gas Operations in 1996, vice president-SCE&G Electric Operations in 2003 and President and Chief Operating Officer of SCE&G in 2017. Upon completion of the merger, he was named president-Electric Operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina in 2019 and he assumed his current position in January 2022.

Kissam serves as a board and executive committee member for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and is a board member for the South Carolina Manufacturer’s Alliance and the Southeastern Electric Exchange. He also is a member of the Palmetto Business Forum.

Kissam earned a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he served as Regimental Commander of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Business from The Citadel in 2015 and is a member of The Citadel’s Business Hall of Fame.

Panelist: Stacey Laurin, Sr. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Leader, Milliken & Company

Stacey Laurin is originally from Southern California and had the opportunity to attend Clemson University on a soccer scholarship, where she also pursued a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Upon graduation, she worked for Clemson University’s Career Services Center, as an HR Program Coordinator, before pursuing an opportunity at Milliken & Company in 2015.

Over the past 8 years with Milliken, she has held HR leadership roles at various manufacturing sites located throughout the Upstate, as well as led the HR integration for a greenfield plant in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico.

In addition to her manufacturing HR duties, Stacey began her professional DEI journey serving as a member of Milliken’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and was instrumental in the development of Milliken’s DEI strategy in 2018. As of 2021, her sole responsibility is leading Milliken’s Global DEI initiatives.

Her unique background has provided her the opportunity to meet and learn from a diverse group of people who vary in cultures, industries, educational backgrounds, and organizational levels which has grown her passion for people.

In her free time, Stacey enjoys staying active by playing recreational soccer, beach volleyball, and running, as well as spending time with her spouse, dog, two rabbits and her friends and family wherever there is a chance for communal dining.

Panelist: Vida Jennings, Director of Employee Relations, Diversity and Inclusion, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Vida is currently employed with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. She has been with the company since August 2002 and in the Human Resources Division since August 2005. In her role as Director of Employee Relations, Diversity and Inclusion she oversees employee relations operations, diversity initiatives, equal opportunity and affirmative action compliance. Vida also serves as an adjunct professor for the Southern New Hampshire University School of Business.

Vida currently serves on the board of the directors for The Free Medical Clinic of Columbia and Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands. She has received a number of awards and recognitions for her leadership service with Toastmasters International. Vida is a Leadership Columbia graduate and was recognized as a “20 Under 40” by the State Media Group in 2012.

Her professional affiliations include Society for Human Resource Management, Association of Talent Development, Charlotte Area Industry Liaison Group and South Carolina Industry Liaison Group. Vida is recognized by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and holds the Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional designation. She is also a Development Dimensions International Business Impact Certified Facilitator and Manager Ready Leadership Coach.

She holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development from Webster University, Ft. Jackson and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Calloway School of Business and Accountancy, Wake Forest University. A lifelong learner, Vida is enrolled at Wilmington University, where she is pursuing a doctorate in business administration. She is a native of Orangeburg, SC.

Panelist: J. Lewis Stephens, Corporate Intelligence & Security at Dominion Energy, Chair-elect for the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association

Lewis Stephens is originally from Woodruff, SC, in Spartanburg County.  Due to a diving accident in 1981, Lewis was left a C4-5 quadriplegic. After months of rehab at Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation and at home, Lewis never looked back.

After two years of college at Spartanburg Methodist College before his accident, and nearly two more years commuting to USC-Spartanburg, Lewis found out about a unique program at the University of South Carolina. The program housed eight students with severe disabilities and 24-7 care at Woodrow Dorm on the Horseshoe. 

While a student at USC, Lewis began honing his advocacy skills. In 1985, Lewis graduated with a Bachelor’s in Management Science and was soon hired at SCANA Corp., now Dominion Energy. During his nearly four-decade work career, Lewis has worked in Strategic Planning, Research Services and Corporate Security.

Over the past forty years, Lewis has been a champion and advocate for citizens with disabilities. He is currently chair-elect for the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association. He previously served as commissioner for the South Carolina Department Disabilities and Special Needs. Lewis also serves on the leadership team of the Dominion Energy DiverseAbility Employee Resource Group.

Lewis’s passion is to help for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. 

Session Speaker: Dr. Jessica Sharp, Founder & CEO of Sharp Brain Consulting

Dr. Jessica Sharp is a sought-after leadership development consultant and speaker. Dr. Sharp works to transform organizations through leadership excellence.

She has a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology from William James College and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. Jessica is living out her life’s purpose through her two businesses - Sharp Brain Consulting and Sharp Brain Productions. Through these ventures, Jessica works with organizational leaders who want to create stronger cultures as well as individuals who want to learn more about self-love, belonging, and building community.

Working to create what the late great John Lewis called good, necessary trouble, Jessica is committed to creating spaces for voices of those who have been historically and systematically marginalized.

She is a Board Member with the Association of Junior Leagues International and the Secretary of the Houston Urban League Young Professionals. Jessica can be found on Instagram & Twitter at @jessica.e.sharp.