LEADERSHIP SPEAKER SERIES
MARCH 25, 2025 Thank You
ALUMNI BOARD
Tom Dunn Chair, Class of 2014
Ansley Goodman Vice Chair, Class of 2020
Andrew Davis Treasurer, Class of 2018
Katie Rudder Fender Communications, Class of 2016
Bryant Gordillo Events, Class of 2018
Blair Streitenberger Events, Class of 2020
Wil Saleeby Secretary, Class of 2016
Nicki Charles Class of 2016
Lynn King Class of 2014
Julie Smith Class of 2015
PROGRAM AGENDA
Welcome
Tom Dunn Chair, Alumni Association Board
Charlie Clark Vice President of Communications, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
Bryant Gordillo Event Coordinator, Alumni Association Board
Panel
Brandon Larson The Aerospace Corporation
Thomas Joyner My Business on Purpose
Carolyn Grant The Town of Hilton Head Island
Lee Holyoak Side Hustle Brewing Co.
BRANDON LARSON
Brandon Larson’s career embodies innovation and problem-solving leadership. Starting at NASA tasked with improving International Space Station reliability, followed by R&D (Phantom Works) at Boeing, his engineering foundation evolved into entrepreneurial success. At Red Bull’s elite performance lab, he led initiatives supporting over 900 athletes across 142 disciplines, contributing to Olympic, X-Games, and World Championship medals. His ventures include six consumer products brought to market, a product on the TV show Shark Tank, and over $7M raised in venture capital. Today, Brandon serves as a Senior Systems Engineer with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program @ KSC, leading a cohort of technical experts ensuring safe astronaut travel to the International Space Station and back to earth. Born in Alaska and raised in Louisiana, Brandon holds degrees in physics, mechanical engineering, and systems engineering, and believes all problems are solvable with the right lens.
THOMAS JOYNER
Thomas is the Director of Coaching at My Business on Purpose. He has been in organizational leadership for the past 15 years with the past 4 of those fully focused on small business coaching. He has a degree in Marketing from Clemson University and wakes up every morning excited to liberate business owners from chaos. His most recent expertise and focus has been centered on helping family owned businesses build the necessary systems and processes to create a succession plan for their kids.
Thomas is a regular contributor to the Business on Purpose Podcast, where he shares real life stories of transformation and encourages all listeners to work ON their business, not just IN. His client success stories span a wide variety of industries, but his niche is the contractor and trade spaces. He was recently featured as a Keynote Speaker at IBS in Las Vegas, NV where he spoke at the Customer Builder Central time on recruiting, hiring and onboarding key employees to help business owners chase after their vision. When not liberating business owners from chaos, he can be found wrestling his 3 kids, attempting to eat a meal in peace with his wife or navigating the open ocean on a boat or surfboard.
CAROLYN GRANT
Carolyn Grant’s upbringing on Hilton Head Island inspired her passion for writing. She studied literature and writing as an English major at Spelman College and journalism at Northwestern University. Throughout her career, Carolyn worked as a reporter and freelance writer for publications including the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, The Greenville News, The Island Packet, and Hilton Head Monthly. Her deep connection to Hilton Head Island and its rich Gullah culture fueled her extensive writings and co-authorship of Gullah Days. Beyond writing, Carolyn’s family shaped her professional path and Gullah preservation. They owned the former Abe’s Native Shrimp House, renowned for authentic Gullah cuisine and pioneering shrimp and grits as a staple dish. In her diverse career, Carolyn worked in healthcare marketing, public relations, and grant writing for Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital, and the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg. Her commitment to community service is evident through her involvement with over three dozen organizations as a board member and volunteer. She holds directorial positions with the Palmetto Electric Cooperative Board and the Ella C. White Memorial Scholarship Fund. Carolyn works in the Town of Hilton Head Island’s communications department and publishes a monthly newsletter for Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and the greater community.
LEE HOLYOAK
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Lee began home brewing as a casual hobby. He dedicated his spare time to experimenting with various brewing techniques, creating unique and exceptional flavors that soon gained recognition among the craft brewing community. In fact, he was awarded several regional and national medals, including the National Homebrew Competition for three consecutive years. Most recently, his popular South Island Pilsner received the silver medal in the New Zealand Pilsner category at the 2023 US Open Beer Championship.
With his talent for brewing and entrepreneurial spirit, Lee has turned his passion for craft brewing into a fullfledged business. The “Side Hustle” moniker was a nod to a relentless work ethic shared and appreciated by so many, balancing passion for brewing with a full-time career. Today, he continues to set Side Hustle Brewing Co. apart with his exceptional ability to blend traditional brewing techniques with bold and daring flavors.
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