Meet our 2026 Board of Directors!
Lowcountry Local First is proud to announce its 2026 Board of Directors. The Board includes talented and passionate business leaders from a wide variety of sectors and backgrounds.
2026 Board of Directors (* Indicates a new board member)
Executive Committee:
- Chair: Kate Schmieding, Obviouslee
- Past Chair: Edward Kronsberg, Addlestone International Corp.
- Vice Chair: Mimi Striplin, The Tiny Tassel
- Treasurer: Nancy Leon, South Carolina Community Loan Fund
- Secretary: Chris Brown, Holy City Brewing
Board Members:
- David Thompson, David Thompson Studio
- * James Romano, Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen
- * Jill Mathias, Chez Nous
- * Liz Rennie, The Charleston Mattress
- Margie Longshore, SMHa
- * Orian Rodriguez, South Atlantic Bank
- Rebecca Epstein, Epstein Law
- Ryan Stewart, Omnisend
- Sirena White-Singleton, The Aneris Collective
The organization’s staff and board work toward its mission through a three-pronged approach:
- Educate the general public on why it’s important to choose local and influence them to do so;
- Work with our elected officials, decision-makers and opinion leaders to foster a better environment for creating and sustaining local businesses;
- And deliver resources, programming, networking, mentorship and more to local businesses of all shapes and sizes.
The organization's staff look to the board of directors to provide strategic guidance and ensure adequate support for the mission-critical programs it operates, from public awareness campaigns to direct entrepreneur training and support.
“From communications experts to retail owners to hospitality leaders, to architects, and from all corners of the Lowcountry, our board members offer our team invaluable guidance, insight and passion that can only come from local, independent business leaders,” says Jacquie Berger, Executive Director for Lowcountry Local First. “They believe in this place and know this community can thrive from connections made through the Lowcountry Local First network.”