Greenville’s businesses are growing faster than their leaders can keep up.
Companies across the Upstate need more than another workshop or another certificate. They need a partner who understands both the academic rigor of leadership development and the real pressures of running a business in one of the fastest growing areas of the country.
In 2022, Furman University launched the Center for Innovative Leadership (CIL) to meet their challenges. The CIL serves the educational needs of professionals and organizations across Greenville and the greater Upstate. The idea was simple: combine Furman’s academic expertise with leading business experts and coaches. Then, put that combination to work solving real problems for real organizations.
Today, that same idea shapes everything the CIL does. Programs are built around real organizational problems. Participants apply what they’re learning at work, in real time. Every course, coaching session and training stays grounded in actual application, not just concepts.
Now, with the launch of the Furman Innovation Lab, we want to continue establishing ourselves as the front porch of connection and community for the future. Together, we’ll also continue to work with graduate studies and the expertise of the Institutes to provide the best human-centered, innovative experiences for the individuals, organizations and communities that we work with. Furman has been rooted in the state for over 200 years and the CIL is one more expression of that commitment, another way Furman shows up as Greenville’s university
Our Local Partners
Our work is built through partnership. We collaborate with organizations across our region to understand their challenges, design experiences around their needs and help their people put new ideas into practice. The organizations featured here represent just some of the teams that have trusted CIL to support their leaders, people and continued growth.
A Human-Centered Focus
What sets the CIL apart isn’t a single course or credential. It’s the combination of Furman’s academic depth, partnerships and immersive, experiential learning approach. Every program carries a Furman credential and an innovation lens, grounded in the same institutes and community outreach that have shaped Furman’s presence for years. By focusing on engaged learning and real-life applicability, the CIL ensures that participants leave with practical tools, actionable insights and the confidence to create meaningful impact as soon as they get back to work.
The Center for Innovative Leadership is Furman’s go-to organization for the educational needs of professionals and organizations across Greenville, the Upstate and beyond. The CIL pairs Furman’s academic expertise with leading business experts and coaches to develop strategic leaders, creative problem-solvers and agile innovators who can navigate today’s complex challenges.
We partner with organizations across four areas
Leadership and Team Performance
Develop resilient, high-performing leaders at every level: from first-time managers to senior teams navigating complex change.
Innovation and Strategic Problem-Solving
Give your team a structured process to tackle defined organizational challenges and leave with a working prototype and implementation roadmap they built themselves.
AI &Workforce Readiness
Prepare your people to work confidently and effectively alongside AI. Using CIL’s AI Ready framework, we help organizations build practical AI fluency, strengthen human capabilities and turn emerging technology into meaningful improvements in how work gets done.
Culture & Organizational Development
Build the culture your organization needs to retain talent, drive engagement, and sustain performance over time.
Practical AI skills built for the way people actually work. Participants learn to use new tools with confidence for the challenges they currently face, without the hype or the jargon.
A way of thinking that turns problems into opportunities. The CIL helps professionals build the creative and strategic skills to move their organizations forward.
Leadership skills that hold up under real pressure, not just in theory. Participants build the confidence and tools to lead teams, projects and change at any level.
From insight to impact: What our partners are saying
Furman tapped into instructors who had real-world experience. These are people who’ve built businesses, and they can talk about their positive and, more importantly, their negative learnings. The entrepreneurs were able to really take those lessons and apply them to their own initiatives and immediately get feedback.
Brett Owen
Head of Incubation
North American Michelin Innovation Lab
Walking away, I felt like a builder. I could take what I’d learned and pour it into others. I wanted to give back what had been given to me. I was able to go help others, share the wealth, share the knowledge.
Dr. Edwina Perrin
Founder
Leadership Matters Academy
The camaraderie, the joy that we all receive from being in class together every month, we miss it. So, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.
Brittany Brackett
Executive Director and Founder
Outstanding Youth Awards Initiative
Articles and Research
Learning doesn’t stop when a program ends. Explore the CIL Knowledge Hub for practical articles, research-informed perspectives and emerging ideas on leadership, innovation, AI and organizational development—all designed to help individuals, teams and organizations continue growing.
Meet Our Advisory Council
Paul Sinanian
Paul Sinanian started his career in 1991 at Robert Bosch Corporation in Anderson, SC as a manufacturing and development engineer, and he has been with BMW Manufacturing for 28+ years in a variety of roles including vehicle analysis, vehicle functionality evaluation, and new vehicle launch validation. His most recent role as Department Manager of the Qualification, Apprentice, and Future Talent Programs for the BMW Manufacturing plant organization allows him to align his technical background with his passion for personnel development. Paul has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Clemson University, and a duel BA in Accounting/Management from Furman University. He is a strong supporter of continuing education, personnel development, innovation, and culture growth which aligns to his strategic position in talent development.
Gwen Hall
Gwen Hall is a Talent, Culture, and Organizational Development Executive with more than 30 years of experience in education, leadership, and organizational development. Known for her strategic and visionary approach, she specializes in transforming individuals, teams, and organizations through leadership development, coaching, and effective execution. Gwen is an executive, business, strengths, and life coach and holds several talent development and facilitation certifications. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, she brings an energetic, people-centered approach to her work and is passionate about helping others grow and thrive. Outside of her professional life, Gwen enjoys traveling with her family, cooking, singing, dancing, music, writing, and reading.
Linda Butler
Linda Butler is Senior Director of Talent for United Community Bank, where she leads talent acquisition, career development, performance management, succession planning, employee engagement, and other key talent initiatives. With 35 years of human resources experience, Linda has held leadership roles with organizations including BMW Manufacturing and Schneider Electric. She holds a Master of Human Resource Development from Clemson University, is a Riley Institute Diversity Fellow alumna, and is certified as a Life Purpose and Career Coach. Beyond her professional role, Linda serves on the board of Young CEOs and Leaders, supporting entrepreneurship, education, leadership, and community service for young people. Her leadership philosophy centers on compassion, mentorship, and creating meaningful connections that inspire growth, confidence, and joy.
Carrie Norell
Carrie Norell is Senior Manager, NPM Purchasing for ZF North America, where she brings more than 16 years of experience leading strategic procurement and operational initiatives, with expertise in sourcing strategy, supplier management, continuous improvement, and cross-functional leadership. She has also dedicated six years of service to the Roper Mountain Science Center Association, including three years on the Executive Team and one year as President, strengthening her experience in governance, strategic planning, fundraising, and community engagement. Carrie is passionate about supporting educational and community-focused initiatives and brings a practical, results-driven perspective centered on sustainable growth, organizational excellence, effective governance, and community impact.
Jarrod Covington
Jarrod Covington serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the YMCA of Greenville, where he leads efforts to advance organizational strategy, strengthen performance, and cultivate a strong, cause-driven culture. With more than 30 years of experience in the YMCA movement, Jarrod began his career as a summer camp counselor and has since held leadership roles across South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky, including Program Director, Operations Director, Executive Director, and Vice President. Throughout his career, he has led organizational operations, membership and program growth, fundraising, and board and staff development. His leadership is grounded in authentic relationships, service to others, professional excellence, and a deep commitment to the YMCA’s mission of strengthening communities and creating a place where everyone belongs.
Brett Owen
Brett Owen leads incubation efforts within Michelin’s North American Innovation Lab, helping teams move from early exploration to pilots and scalable commercial offers beyond tires. He also supports Michelin’s Open Innovation work, partnering with startups, universities, and industry networks to accelerate access to new ideas and emerging technologies.
Brett is passionate about building a culture where teams feel empowered to experiment, learn quickly, and translate curiosity into measurable performance.
Meet the Team
The Center for Innovative Leadership is powered by a passionate team committed to helping individuals, teams and organizations grow. Get to know the people behind our programs, the roles they play and a few fun facts that make our team uniquely CIL.
