2026 Employer Summit Speakers

Kerianne Krause is the Founder of Beyond Distilling Company, an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful, competitive employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Kerianne has spent more than a decade designing innovative programs that promote independence, community inclusion, and equitable employment for individuals typically left out of the workforce. Recognizing the significant gap in services available after individuals age out of school-based supports, Kerianne co-founded Beyond Distilling Company with the vision of proving that inclusive hiring is not charity; it is good business. Under her leadership, the company has become a nationally recognized model for disability-inclusive employment, demonstrating how businesses can successfully recruit, train, and retain employees of all abilities through thoughtful workplace design, individualized supports, and high expectations. She continued that work by developing the Beyond Employment Protocol, a practical training framework that helps employers create sustainable, inclusive workplaces. She frequently speaks on disability employment, workplace inclusion, and management strategies, presenting to business leaders and industry organizations, including the American Craft Spirits Association. Her advocacy has earned national recognition, including the 2022 Disability Matters Small Business Award for Beyond Distilling Company's groundbreaking work in inclusive employment.

Olivia Scott joined AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in 2019. She currently holds the position of Human Resources Business Partner, where she’s responsible for serving as a trusted advisor and subject-matter expert to leaders & employees throughout the employee lifecycle while driving engagement and strategic alignment. Olivia is a product of the University of South Carolina. She began her career in the staffing industry, which evolved into her stepping directly into corporate human resources, where she has worked in various sectors, including manufacturing, energy & infrastructure, telecommunications, warehousing, and now financial services. Olivia has over twenty years of human resources experience that spans across talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, benefits administration, talent management, payroll, and driving culture.

Dennard Small is an associate in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office, working with the employment law practice group. While in law school, Dennard externed for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and clerked for the White Collar Prosecution team of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Committed to service and leadership, he served as Student Site Coordinator for VITA and Fundraising Chair for the Veterans in Law Society, and was a member of the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Journal, the Pro Bono Board, the Black Law Student Association, the Tax Law Society and the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. Before law school, Dennard worked as an Operations Manager and Business Analyst for a Southeastern distribution company and served in the South Carolina Army National Guard as an Air and Missile Defense Crewmember from 2011 to 2014.

William Floyd was appointed Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) in May 2023 and, through that leadership role, is a member of Governor McMaster’s cabinet, the Chairman of South Carolina’s Coordinating Council for Workforce Development (CCWD), and a member of the Coordinating Council for Economic Development. Executive Director Floyd leads a dedicated team that connects students and other jobseekers with employment opportunities throughout South Carolina. As part of those efforts, Floyd has implemented several unique and innovative strategies to increase awareness of employers and careers in the state. Some examples are part of his “SC@Work” series, such as the Explore SC@Work campaign spotlighting occupations in the state, SC@Work: Rural Connections enhancing opportunities for rural jobseekers, and SC@Work: Photo Contest for businesses. As Chairman of the CCWD, Floyd has directed the development and adoption of South Carolina’s Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development, including the identification of the state’s priority occupations and creation of FindYourFuture.sc.gov, a website that will eventually become a one-stop option for education and workforce resources. Floyd is a graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist and the former Chairman of the South Carolina Bar’s Labor and Employment Law Section. He spent his legal career as a Member of the Nexsen Pruet law firm and a partner at Ogletree Deakins.

Felicia W. Johnson is the Commissioner of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD). She began her career at SCVRD as a student intern and became a full-time exercise physiologist in 1998. Ms. Johnson advanced through various roles, including counselor, where she supported youth with disabilities transitioning to employment and individuals referred by the correctional system. She was promoted to area supervisor for the Camden Area Office in June 2008 and later managed the agency’s two largest offices, Richland and Lexington, simultaneously. In 2014, Commissioner Johnson became manager of statewide field operations at SCVRD’s state office. She was named interim commissioner in July 2017 and appointed commissioner in June 2018. Commissioner Johnson has served in various positions with the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), including three years as Treasurer, and is the immediate past president. Commissioner Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from South Carolina State University. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addiction Counselor.

As Vice President and Chief Community Integration Program Officer, Sandy Jordan cultivates the direction and development of innovative education, employment, and transportation programs to support and promote the full integration of people with disabilities. She enjoys building collaborative relationships between program areas and ensuring that the expectations of funders, partners, and other stakeholders are consistently met. Before working at Able SC, Sandy spent ten years providing career support and guidance to individuals with a variety of disabilities. Sandy is a consultant with the Disability Employment TA Center, which provides evidence-based training and technical assistance to the Administration on Disabilities grantees, including Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Through her work with the Disability Employment TA Center, she provides guidance and assistance to other CILs as they look to enhance and expand their youth and employment programs. Sandy received her bachelor’s in psychology from Lander University and holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Carolina. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a Global Career Development Facilitator, and a proud alumna of Leadership Greenville Class 50, which is the best class ever!

Built-In, Not Bolted-On: Using Assistive Technology as a Workforce Tool with Dr. Tina Randall, Clemson LIFE

Dr. Tina Randall is a Clinical Associate Professor at Clemson University and works specifically with ClemsonLIFE (Learning Is For Everyone), focusing on enhancing life outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her research explores factors influencing quality of life, interventions to increase independence and employment, and strategies to reduce health-related disparities among those with IDD. Dr. Randall collaborates with various institutions to implement assistive technologies aimed at increasing independence and maintaining employment for individuals with disabilities. She frequently presents at national and international conferences and contributes to scholarly publications on these topics.