SCSAE 2025 Annual Conference
June 8-10, 2025  | Spartanburg, SC

We are so excited to announce that registration for the 2025 SCSAE Annual Conference is now open! The conference will be June 8-10 in downtown Spartanburg, SC at the Spartanburg Marriott. Don’t miss out - register today!

Click here to register. 

Conference is approved for 3 hours of CAE CE Credit!

Hotel Information

The Spartanburg Marriott is offering a special discounted room rate of $169 per night for all SCSAE Conference attendees. Click here to make your hotel reservation. The deadline to book is Monday, May 19, 2025.  

Conference Sponsorships

SCSAE has a variety of sponsorships available to fit your budget and needs. Get in front of industry leaders and become a sponsor today! Click here for the full list of sponsorships. 

Thank you to our Conference Hosts!

Spartanburg has a variety of afternoon networking activities planned. Check them out below and click here to register!

The ART of Relaxation Yoga (15 people max)

Join Alix Refshauge (RYT500) to unwind and recharge in this soothing, all-levels yoga class. Set amidst the inspiring Art of the Athlete exhibition at the Johnson Collection Gallery, prepare for an hour of deep rest and restoration. This session combines gentle movement with guided meditation to help release stress and refresh your body and mind. No experience needed—just come as you are and leave feeling calmer, clearer, and ready to take on your day. Dress comfortably, mats provided, BYO water.

Downtown Pub Crawl (24 people max)

Join us for a lively sip & stroll experience through Downtown Spartanburg! Savor specialty samples of locally brewed ciders, craft beers, and wines as we stop by some of the city's most beloved spots. Along the way, keep an eye out for surprise treats and hidden gems.

Itinerary:

1. Start: Spartanburg Marriott
2. Stop 1: The Local Hiker – unique refreshments in a cozy, adventurous setting
3. Stop 2: Delaney’s Irish Pub – (Tentative) traditional Irish charm and seasonal drafts
4. Stop 3: Bond Street Wines
5. Return: Spartanburg Marriott

Cheers to a great afternoon break in Spartanburg!

Pinnacle Partnership Event – Planner Preferred Activity (20 People Max)

3:00 - 4:00 pm:

• Build your own Cocktail/Mocktail
• Set in our gorgeous farm to table restaurant, Heirloom. Follow along with our General Manager and Master bartender as they take you on a journey from Spartanburg farm to your glass! Use locally sourced alcohol, South Carolina based ingredients, and house-made infusions to craft your perfect cocktail or mocktail. Or- make our perfected recipe with step-by-step instructions from the best! Takeaway gifts of your own personal simple syrup infusion- flavored with the local ingredients of your choosing to recreate your perfect cocktail at home.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: 

• Small bites and site tours
• After your mixology experience, join Chef Andy and our Director of Catering for small bites featuring South Carolina favorites and our specialties. Take a tour of our event spaces, including our brand new 3,500 square foot Oxford ballroom. 

“Burnout to Balance: Strategies for a Healthier Work Life Integration” with Dr. Charryse Johnson

In today's fast-paced world, the lines between work and personal life have blurred, leading many to experience burnout and stress. This engaging presentation, "Burnout to Balance," aims to equip participants with practical strategies to foster a healthier integration of work and life.  

Join us as we explore the root causes of burnout and its impact on overall well-being. Through interactive discussions and evidence-based techniques, attendees will learn how to identify early signs of burnout, establish boundaries, and prioritize self-care.  

We will cover effective time management practices, the importance of mindfulness, and the role of supportive workplace cultures in promoting balance. Participants will leave with actionable tools to create a sustainable work life integration, enhancing both productivity and personal fulfillment.  

Join us on the journey from burnout to balance, and take the first step toward a more harmonious and fulfilling professional and personal life.

About Dr. Charryse Johnson 

Dr. Charryse Johnson, LCMHC, NCC, RYT 500, is an author, keynote speaker, and expert mental health consultant committed to helping others step into a new field of vision. Her work focuses on the intersection of mental health, inclusivity, and neuroscience. She is the founder of Jade Integrative Counseling and Wellness and the author of the book Expired Mindsets, a guided journal titled Mindset Matters, Get Off the Scale and Heal (2023), and the ebook Embrace: 28 Days of Self-Love. As a clinician, she has worked with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan and is adept at helping individuals navigate challenging life transitions and identity development. 

Dr. Johnson holds a B.A. in both Vocal Music and Human Development and Family Studies, an M.A. in Professional Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in crisis and trauma. As an executive wellness consultant, she supports non-profits, educational institutions, and corporations looking to develop strategic initiatives that center on leadership, inclusivity, and mental health. Dr. Johnson is a frequent advocate and advisor for national radio shows and news stations in Charlotte, NC, and the surrounding areas. In addition, she was selected and featured by MSN as one of the "Top 10 Entrepreneurs Shaping the Future of of Business in 2024". You can find her knowledge and insights featured in publications such as BRAINZ Magazine, CNBC Online News, Prevention, Romper, Healthline, Bustle, and the Atlassian.   

When not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. In the future, she hopes to play a more significant role in the convergence of health equity, mental health, and improved representation in clinical trials.

Maximizing Partnership Engagement & Impact with Monique McDaniels

This session will showcase successful partnerships and its impact on the workforce. The presenter will discuss challenges faced and how they overcame them to create win-win in an effort to open doors for jobseekers and others in the community.

About Monique McDaniels

Monique McDaniels is a passionate thought-leader, creative engineer, and consensus builder. Her personal brand statement is to live a principle-centered life, committed to continuous intellectual, spiritual, and physical development, with a devotion to creating value in each role she fills—family member, friend, community leader and trendsetter. She strives to embrace learning opportunities, approach life experiences with a spirit of enthusiasm and passion, and create a lasting, positive impact in all aspects of her life.

Monique has worked in the creative and engagement spaces for nearly 20 years in various roles representing brands like Chick-fi-A, Institutions of Higher Education, Federal, State and Local Governments and now as the VP of Community and Workforce Development for Goodwill Industries of SC.

She is a graduate of both Francis Marion and Clemson Universities as well as a graduate of Leadership Columbia, Project Management Institute, Columbia College’s LeaderSHIFT program for women executives and a Riley Institute Fellow.

Monique’s favorite quote and life’s motto is by Maya Angelo--“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

Monique believes every day is filled with rainbows and unicorns!

Motivational Speaker Dr. Ashlye V. Wilkerson

Dr. Ashlye V. Wilkerson is an inspiring speaker, leadership expert, and motivator who exemplifies excellence in every facet of her life. As a dedicated community leader and advocate, she is passionate about empowering individuals and uplifting communities.

At just 29, Dr. Ashlye made history as the youngest appointed to the Board of Trustees for Winthrop University by the South Carolina General Assembly. She’s only the second woman of color to serve on the Board and has over a decade of experience in this capacity.

As a sought-after speaker and leadership developer, Dr. Ashlye inspires audiences to achieve their fullest potential. Her expertise spans service excellence, personal and professional performance, success mindset, and leadership development. She delivers impactful messages at conferences, churches, corporate training events, staff retreats, team-building sessions, and educational institutions from K-12 to higher education.

Dr. Ashlye is also a celebrated author, with four children’s books in her Tori series: Tori Finds Shapes All Around, Tori Finds Colors All Around, Tori Visits the Farm: Counting 1–10, and Tori Explores South Carolina. Her works have received numerous accolades, including a feature in a read-aloud event with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, statewide recognition from former Governor Nikki Haley, and resolutions from both the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives. Her book Tori Explores South Carolina has been a cornerstone of educational initiatives, including the City of Columbia’s Together We Can Read program. In honor of her contributions, the City of Columbia and the state of South Carolina have both declared “Ashlye V. & Tori” Days in her honor.

Dr. Ashlye holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in early childhood education and entrepreneurship from Winthrop University, a master’s degree in teaching from Hampton University, and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning from the University of South Carolina. She also earned executive leadership and servant leadership certifications from Cornell University.

Dr. Ashlye is a devoted wife to L. Kobie Wilkerson, III, and proud mother to Alana (10) and Ariah (8). Dr. Ashlye honors the legacy of her late father, Anthony “Tony” Geddis, who courageously battled stage IV colon cancer. Her heartfelt story about her father’s encounter with State Trooper Officer Doty, which gained over 7 million views on LinkedIn, continues to inspire millions worldwide and has been featured on CNN, FOX News, and other major platforms as a testament to compassion and humanity. Dr. Ashlye is a dedicated member of organizations including the Gamma Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; the Columbia Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; the Columbia Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated; the Columbia Branch of the National Association of University Women; and the Junior League of Columbia. She is a charter member of the Main Street Rotary Club and founder of The Magic of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit she established in 2006 to promote education and literacy. She also serves on the South Carolina Humanities Board and the South Carolina Girl Scouts Mountains to Midlands Board.

Dr. Ashlye’s life is a testament to her unwavering commitment to leadership, education, and service, leaving an enduring impact on those she serves.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Ashlye.