Learn about the DOERS
Changing the World… from Greenville, South Carolina
Matt Gevaert
CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF KIYATEC, INC.
Since immigrating to the United States 25 years ago, Canadian native Matt Gevaert has accomplished a lot. A master’s degree from Clemson University’s internationally renowned bioengineering program turned into a Ph.D, and grondbreaking cancer research. Then, in 2005, he founded KIYATEC and the growth that has resulted has been astounding.
Gevaert says it’s a privilege to have Greenville as part of his story, and the support of the community has helped make KIAYTEC’s success possible.
Nicole Johnson
CO-OWNER, BOYD CYCLING
Nicole Johnson and her husband Boyd moved to Greenville because the weather and terrain were an ideal mix for professional cyclists. They stayed because they built a great life and found the resources to grow a successful business with a young daughter along for the ride.
Passion, grit, and determination helped the couple excel, first in cycling and now in business. Paired with their unflinching optimism and a lot of local support, Boyd Cycling is expanding and thriving in Greenville.
RYAN JOHNSTON AND RYAN HEAFY
CO-FOUNDERS OF 6AMCITY
There’s no doubt the guys behind one of the fastest growing local media companies in the nation love Greenville. Suffice it to say “the Ryans” are dialed in. They are visible. They are involved. Even as their daily eblast, GVL Today, expanded into a nationwide enterprise, they kept the connection to their home base. They say the city has a cheerleading mentality and supports entrepreneurs who are moving HERE from somewhere else.
Dr. Nika White
WHITE CONSULTING
A Forbes Books featured author, podcaster, speaker, and consultant, Dr. Nika White works to maximize the effectiveness, potential, and capacity of people’s and organizations’ through organizational development, focusing specifically strategic and intentional efforts fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
DAVID STEFANICH
CO-FOUNDER OF RYMEDI
Co-founder of health care tech company Rymedi, David Stefanich is running in six countries worldwide. But he always comes back to Greenville. Stefanich talks about why Greenville is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
ERIN MEHAGAN
FOUNDER, LIVILULANE
Erin Mehagan is a mom of three and founder of Livi Lu Lane. Her bra line has been featured on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. Erin’s launch to success came through the #StartupGVL ecosystem, which supported her in empowering women to create the shape they want.
Lashonn Edmunds
Founder, CAIRS Shoes
LaShonn Edmunds is using her problem-solving skills to take her life back from an incurable condition that stopped her in her tracks. The founder of CAIRS Shoes is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and an advocate. Edmunds has been a champion of founders in her community, and she has cultivated a network of people ready and willing to help her overcome any obstacle. A global pandemic, supply chain issues, and production problems may have slowed her down, but nothing is going to stop LaShonn from bringing her product to market. She’s on a mission to give women who suffer from chronically swollen feet a little bit of their “sass” back. Watch how she’s changing the world FROM HERE.