The Great Conversation
Connecting young professionals with influential community leaders and United Way advocates.
The Great Conversation connects young professionals with influential community leaders and United Way advocates. Through these conversations, we hope to create an intimate space to hear from local leaders on the importance of philanthropy and civic engagement — and how giving back to our community can positively influence your career.
The Great Conversation
Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 4:30–8 p.m.
The L, Larkin's Catering & Events
211 E Broad St Suite B, Greenville, SC 29601
$75 ticket includes a three-course meal and beverages
Meet your Table Hosts
Cleveland Christophe
Cleveland Christophe has led an illustrious career spanning over five decades with positions across several industries.
From 1967–1987, Christophe held numerous senior positions with Citibank, including Country Head for Colombia; President of Banco Internacional de Colombia, Citibank’s subsidiary; Country Head for Jamaica; Head of the High Technology Corporate Banking Team; Country Operations Head for France; Securities Analyst Team Head; and Venture Capital Officer.
He then served as Partner with TLC Group, L.P., where he played a lead role in the $1 billion acquisition of the Beatrice International Food Company in 1988. From 1990–2004, Christophe served as Founder and Managing Partner of TSG Capital Group, a leveraged buyout private equity firm with $750 million in capital. And most recently, he was President and Chief Financial Officer at US&S, Inc., here in Greenville, where he retired.
Christophe has served on boards of directors of numerous public and private companies and non-profit institutions, including Thornblade Country Club (Greenville, SC); Medical University of South Carolina Foundation (Charleston, SC); and Stamford Hospital System (Stamford, CT). He currently serves on the boards of The Peace Center for the Performing Arts (Greenville, SC); Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE); Southern Poverty Legal Center (Montgomery, AL); Greenville County Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM); and Grain Management (private equity funds).
Christophe holds a BA from Howard University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Jessica Donan
Stephen Edgerton
Rohit Kale
Rohit Kale currently serves as the Global Category Manager (Benefits) with Michelin North America in charge of global strategic sourcing of the benefits services for employees, families, and retirees. Previously, Rohit worked as a Purchasing Manager for Michelin USA, China & India. His career spans across 3 major economies (India, China, and USA).
Rohit has an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Management, Graduate Diploma in Materials Management, and a Master of Management Sciences (MBA-Supply Chain). In addition, he has participated in various management programs through management associations and professional consultants and was part of Propel Greenville.
Rohit is the Founding Board Member & Secretary of GlobalNagari Foundation, New Jersey, a 501(c)(3) organization working for betterment of the education in India. He is also an executive committee member of Indian Association, Greenville which works towards bringing people of Indian origin together and assimilation with the local community, and is a member of Lion’s International, Shirdi, India, Greenville Maharashtra Mandal, and Barbara Stone Foundation’s Greenville CAN (transportation committee).
Rohit was born and educated in India and has been married for 25 years to Greeta Kale who is a Yoga instructor and a student at Greenville Tech. His son, Ishaan, just completed his undergraduate degree in Public Health and is planning to pursue a master’s degree. His son, Om, is a sophomore at Greenville Tech.
Beth Paul
With more than 20 years of progressive experience, Beth Paul has generated tremendous results in the field of arena and venue management.
Paul began her career as Accounting Manager for Bon Secours Wellness Arena in 1999 before returning to the Arena in 2005 as Director of Finance. In 2013, Paul was promoted to Assistant General Manager to provide leadership and supervision to all Arena departments while maintaining financial and accounting responsibilities. Since 2015, she has served as General Manager of the Arena and is responsible for developing its vision and overseeing the execution of strategies leading to successful operational and financial performance.
Under Paul’s leadership, the Arena has consistently increased operating revenues and profitsas well as its number of annual events. Paul and her team have secured notable acts such as Zach Bryan, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Dave Matthews Band, Greta Van Fleet, Reba McEntire, Carri Underwood, Elton John, Luke Combs, Pearl Jam and many more. Paul has also elevated the diversity of annual programming including securing the return of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, a multi-year contract to host the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Arena’s first UFC Fight Night and most recently, the Arena’s selection as one of two regional sites for the 2023 NCAA Women’s Regional Basketball Tournament.
Paul simultaneously manages the Greenville Arena District’s 30-year Capital Improvement Plan and long-term financial obligations. Her leadership continues to focus on improving the Arena’s guest experience, from enhancements to technology, safety, and security to theaddition of resources for people with special needs. Paul’s leadership extends beyond the Arena’s walls through her dedication to the venue’s community outreach program, which is designed to bridge the power of live entertainment with the critical needs of Upstate South Carolina.
Prior to her 2005 return to Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Paul served as Director of Finance for the Connecticut-based Arena at Harbor Yard, now Total Mortgage Arena.
Paul has been recognized with numerous industry awards and local accolades over the course of her career including VenuesNow Women of Influence (2019), Greenville Business Magazine50 Most Influential (2017-2024), South Carolina Business Magazine: Best in Business’s Silver Award for Best General Manager (2023) and Greenville Business Magazine Women in Business (2020). Paul was also nominated for IEBA’s prestigious Arena Executive of the Year award in 2018. Additionally Beth is Chairwoman of the Board of directors for VisitGreenvilleSC.
Katie Schuba
Katie Schuba serves as the Market Director for UBS in South Carolina and is responsible for leading the Greenville Wealth Management business. She has a passion for helping our teams grow their practices and deliver the resources of the firm to our clients. Prior to relocating to South Carolina, Katie held a variety of different roles in leadership and business development including Divisional Digital Specialist and Assistant Market Head for the Midwest Private Wealth Market. She currently serves on United Way of Greenville County’s Board of Directors.
A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Katie graduated magna cum laude from DePaul University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Accounting. Katie is happiest spending time with her husband, Matthew, and baby boy, Charlie. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, modern dance and rock climbing.
Ben Urueta
Growing up in a family of builders, Ben Urueta always knew that he wanted to be an architect. He found a natural appreciation for building structure and design from an early age and attributes that to the great admiration and influence of his grandfather.
Following his childhood dreams, Ben achieved degrees from Universidad de las Americas, Puebla in Mexico, and Clemson University, after which immediately started his career with DP3 Architects. 20 years later, Ben is Principal and Chief Design Officer at DP3, touching most all projects that involve design integration. He finds satisfaction in creating new structures with people in mind, collaborating closely with his team to offer professional insight and guidance throughout the design process.
Ben is a big proponent of diversity in the architectural profession and participates in committees that focus their efforts on creating a climate of equity and inclusion.
Mike Williams
Since February 2022, Mike Williams has served as Director of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity for Hubbell Incorporated, which encompasses $4.2B in sales and over 17,000 employees worldwide.
Prior to joining Hubbell, Williams worked at Michelin North America for 23 years in a variety of positions encompassing diversity, equity and inclusion; talent acquisition; facility personnel management; leadership development; supply chain and engineering.
A native of Jackson, MS and a 1990 graduate of Callaway High School, Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played on the Army football team. Williams served as a logistics officer in the U.S. Army with tours in Camp Hovey, South Korea and Fort Lee, VA.
Williams is a graduate of the McKinsey Black Executive Leadership Program and the Furman University Riley Institute’s award-winning Diversity Leadership Initiative. He is also a United Way Palmetto Society Leader’s Circle member and an active supporter of March of Dimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, National Urban League, and several other nonprofit organizations. He has served on several boards throughout South Carolina that focus on manufacturing; workforce development; education; economic growth; and diversity, equity and inclusion.
THE GREAT CONVERSATION IS SPONSORED BY:
