Children’s Trust of South Carolina elected three new officers to lead its board of directors for the next year.
Beverly Hamilton will follow Tiffany Santagati as chairperson. Hamilton, who is retired as the associate vice president of government contracts at Molina Healthcare of South Carolina, previously served as vice chair. Philip Vann was elected vice chairperson, and Shawan Gillians was chosen as secretary-treasurer.
Beverly Hamilton was recently elected chairperson; Philip Vann was elected vice chairperson; and Shawan Gillians was chosen as secretary-treasurer.
Children’s Trust’s seventeen-member board of directors, who are appointed by the governor, has been essential to the organization since it was set up by the state legislature. Founded in 1984, Children’s Trust mission has been to award grants to nonprofit organizations and state agencies to implement a wide range of innovative child abuse and neglect prevention programs in order to meet the critical needs of South Carolina’s children. Seven board members represent the Congressional districts and 10 members serve at-large.
Hamilton has been an engaged vice chair on the board, particularly with helping guide the organization’s policy work at the state level. She has also used her management experience to help Children’s Trust build a more successful governance model and promote a vibrant governance structure.
She sees Children’s Trust as a dynamic organization, which makes it easy to celebrate the accomplishments and continue to focus on growth to the benefit of South Carolina families.
“We as an organization must continue this work to ensure South Carolina residents have access to services that they need and deserve,” Hamilton said. “We must continue to raise awareness among state leaders and legislators on the importance of prevention so that investments are expanded.”
Santagati expressed confidence that Hamilton’s leadership will continue to be instrumental in achieving the organization’s mission through leading the agenda, strengthening the network, and changing the narrative: “Beverly is a bright spot for the organization, and with her at the helm, it is certain that we will continue to help children, families, and communities.”
Santagati served on the board for seven years, representing the 4th Congressional District. For her active involvement, she received the prestigious Yezbak Award in 2020 and has helped Children’s Trust expand in many areas.
“Tiffany was intentional about shepherding the board to address personal biases so that cultural needs were acknowledged with regard to all decision-making,” Hamilton said. “Her passion and courage to address the needs of a growing and changing organization were demonstrated constantly.”
Philip Vann is a director for Cushman & Wakefield in Columbia with a specialty in tenant representation, lease and sales contracts, site selection and financial analysis. He joined the board as an at-large member in 2018.
Shawan Gillians is the director of sustainability at Santee Cooper, where she serves to enhance the utility’s efforts in sustainability through the development of a comprehensive corporate strategy and support structure. Gillians is active across the state, serving on the Nominating Committee for the South Carolina Bar Association, chairing the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education, and serving on several other boards of directors across the state.
