�It is a great honor to be receiving this award, says Dunleavy. �I am passionate about Spartanburg and finding ways to improve the quality of life for all our citizens.� The Neville Holcombe Distinguished Citizenship Award is the highest honor given by the Spartanburg Chamber, the award plaque states: �Be it known that this recipient has dedicated his/her life to the betterment of the Spartanburg area. In doing so, he/she has exemplified the highest quality of leadership and has won the immeasurable respect of his/her colleagues and friends.�

Katherine Dunleavy arrived in Spartanburg in 1986 where she began her career with First Federal Bank. She rose quickly through the ranks of the local banking industry where she was given the opportunity to get very involved with the community; serving on various boards and commissions. After a short period working alongside former Spartanburg Mayor Bill Barnet, Dunleavy realized the critical issues facing the community and was inspired to enter the non-profit arena serving as Executive Director of the Walker Foundation at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.

In 2003, Dunleavy was named CEO of the United Way of the Piedmont. In the near eight years she was with the United Way, the organization grew its campaign to just shy of $5 Million, established the Volunteer Income Tax Initiative, created Volunteer Connections (a program to engage community volunteers), and most notably opened the doors to one of the most impactful resources in the Upstate�the Gifts in Kind Center. The Gifts in Kind Center has provided over $35 Million of products to charitable agencies in the Spartanburg community through a partnership with Walmart and the Excel Return Center. Dunleavy�s ability to foster community partnerships was key in the success of the Spartanburg Community Indicators Project, a partnership between the Spartanburg County Foundation, United Way of the Piedmont, USC Upstate and Spartanburg County Government, that has received national acclaim.

�This is a very special community with a vibrancy that tells me we are at the tipping point of becoming great,� says Dunleavy. �I look forward to doing all I can to stay involved and help move the needle.�

Katherine Dunleavy�s current community activities include serving on the Spartanburg Regional Health System Board, the Mary Black Foundation Board, the Carolina Country Club Board, the BB&T Advisory Board, the BMW Tournament Club Board and the Converse College Board of Visitors. Dunleavy was recognized as an SC Woman of Accomplishment (2009), received the Al Willis Award for the Spartanburg Development Association (2010), received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award from Converse College (2011), was recognized as the Humanitarian of the Year by the Urban League of the Upstate (2011), and was presented with the Order of the Palmetto by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in 2011.

About the 94th Annual Meeting of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce
A cocktail reception will be held from 5:00-6:15pm in the Azalea Ballroom of the Spartanburg Marriott. The dinner meeting and awards reception will begin at 6:30pm in the Heritage Ballroom. The evening�s keynote speaker is Karen Parkin, Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain Management for the adidas group. Tickets are $75 per person, with reserved tables of 10 available for $750. For more information on the 94th Annual Meeting, including a list of all award honorees, visit our website at www.spartanburgchamber.com.

To register, contact Chris Shealy at (864)594-5014 or at [email protected] or visit the event calendar at www.spartanburgchamber.com.

About the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce
The Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit organization supported through membership investment and strategic partnerships. Our mission is to enhance the economic vitality and lifestyle environment of Spartanburg County. The Chamber accomplishes its mission through: Public Policy initiatives and political involvement, Economic Development strategies and implementation, Leadership development programs, Advancing college completion initiatives, Building business networks, Growing the visitor economy Collaborative activities throughout the Community, Excellent communication vehicles, Business skills enhancement, Air service improvements and CEO networks. For more information, visit www.spartanburgchamber.com.

(Image provided by Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce.)

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