Meghan Hickman
Executive Director
Meghan Hickman serves as EngenuitySC’s Executive Director, leading the organization’s efforts to make Columbia and the Midlands more economically competitive and prosperous.
Prior to joining EngenuitySC in 2012, Meghan spent nearly six years working for a United States Senator. During that time she sharpened her skills in campaign finance, event management and served two years as a press secretary on Capitol Hill. Following that, she entered the private sector with Stratacomm, a Fleishman-Hillard Company, and managed full-service, national public relations campaigns for clients ranging from federal government agencies to large coalitions and associations.
Meghan, a self-proclaimed news junkie, is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College (a proud Gamecock!), and she enjoys visiting her five nephews and niece in Charleston every chance she gets.
Lauren Liles
Senior Project Manager
Prior to joining EngenuitySC in 2014, Lauren spent 5 years working at the University of South Carolina in the Office of Economic Engagement, Innovista and President’s office where she managed economic development outreach initiatives, communication strategies and served as a liaison to corporate business partners connecting them to the many resources of the university. Before USC, Lauren worked for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington, DC, on the Senator’s personal staff for 4 years.
Lauren graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina Honors College earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the Darla Moore School of Business. She received her M.B.A from the Darla Moore School of Business in 2013. In her free time, Lauren enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends, especially at USC athletic events where she passionately supports the Gamecocks.
Selia Straus
Senior Project Manager
Selia Straus came to EngenuitySC in 2016 with over 4 years of background working in IT doing account development, recently working at Modis, a technical recruiting firm and prior to that working at Softdocs, a software company specializing in document management solutions for K-12 and higher educational institutions.
Prior to moving to Columbia, she worked for an events-based marketing company that managed a nonprofit educational program with a focus on teaching children entrepreneurial skills/business. She served as Director of the program, called Lemonade Day, and the nonprofit itself. She was also part of the project management team working on a variety of projects, including the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics, the NCAA Final Four Fan Zone, the San Antonio and Austin Rock and Roll Marathons, as well as the NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education) Conference held in Tampa, Florida. Selia graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology.
Kristin Hamilton
Project Manager
Kristin Hamilton graduated from the University of Florida Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Advertising and also holds a Master of Advertising degree from UF. Prior to joining EngenuitySC in 2013, Kristin was part of the in-house marketing team at one of the largest commercial real estate firms in South Carolina, NAI Earle Furman, in Greenville, where her scope of work included public relations, advertising design and placement, event planning, market research, designing and executing marketing plans for properties and general branding and marketing for the firm. Before NAIEF, Kristin worked in account management at advertising agency Erwin Penland, also in Greenville, where she worked on accounts in the financial, healthcare and real estate industries. Between undergrad and graduate school, Kristin worked at public relations agency Edelman in Chicago.
Whitney Williams
Project Manager
Whitney Williams is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. The Lincolnton, North Carolina native joined EngenuitySC with experience in fundraising, volunteer management and marketing & communications. Before joining EngenuitySC in 2013, Whitney spent two years at the University of South Carolina Press, as a marketing coordinator, and one year at IT-oLogy, handling all social media and developing the volunteer program. In her free time she enjoys reading and crafting. Whitney is always striving to find time for yoga and is a lover of all sports.
Will Schenk
Project Manager
wschenk@engenuitysc.com
Will Schenk graduated cum laude in 2015 from Clemson University’s College of Business and Behavioral Science with a B.S. in Economics and College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Science with a B.S. in Environmental and Natural Resources, with a focus on Natural Resource and Economic Policy. He has a strong research background encompassing a wide variety of fields, including research in the efficiency of professional sports drafts, historical resource economics in the Chesapeake Bay, voting and demographic patterns in the South Carolina senatorial election, and aquaponic system development. The native of New Windsor, MD provides expertise in research and data analysis, strategic thinking, and opportunity identification.
Laura Ros
Project Manager
lros@engenuitysc.com
Laura graduated from the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a B.S. in Advertising and minor in Theatre Arts.
Prior to joining EngenuitySC, Laura worked in the media industry for six years, and enjoyed cultivating relationships and building campaigns for local businesses.
Laura is on the volunteer committee for the Children’s Trust of South Carolina annual gala, and loves fostering dogs for local shelters. She believes that good music, tasty food, and the great outdoors are the ingredients to a perfect weekend.