In 2026, Community Foundation of Greenville proudly welcomes three new community leaders to our Board of Directors. Their experience and perspective will strengthen our work, and we are thankful for their dedication to improving the lives of Greenville County residents through strategic philanthropy, community investment, and collaborative leadership.
Shaniece Criss
Dr. Shaniece Criss is a civic leader, public health scholar, and strategic optimist. At Furman University, she is the director of the Advocacy and Social Policy master’s program and an associate professor in the Health Sciences Department. She hosts Civically Grown, a podcast where changemakers share the roots and impact of their leadership. Shaniece serves on the Travelers Rest City Council, where she founded the Youth Council Academy, a civic leadership program for local students. She is also a member of the Prisma Health Board. She previously hosted a television show in Guyana during her Peace Corps service and has held roles at the CDC, ICF International, and CNN. Shaniece earned a doctorate from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, a MPH from Emory University, and a BA from Oglethorpe University. She has been married for more than 20 years and is a proud mom to a compassionate middle schooler.
Laird Green
Laird Green is one of six shareholders of Abacus Planning Group, a holistic financial advisory firm with offices in Greenville and Columbia. As head of the firm’s Financial Planning Team, Laird coordinates the creation, research, and implementation of strategies and processes that enhance the overall wealth and success of Abacus’s clients, over 250-plus families with shared assets. Laird began her career as a financial planner in 1998 and earned the CFP® designation in 2002. Prior to working at Abacus, Laird worked with Cary Beckwith at Beckwith Financial Advisors. She has served in various roles with local PTSA organizations and at Christ Church. A Greenville native, Laird holds a Master of Arts in Public History and a Master of Library and Information Science, both from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Furman University. Laird is married to Scott and has a daughter, Sarah. Weekends often find Laird walking in the neighborhood, reading a book, volunteering, or spending time with her family.
Kimberly Witherspoon
A native of New Zion, SC, Kimberly holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from Furman University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. Previously a successful public finance attorney, Kimberly was named a South Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star four consecutive years and was named as one of The Bond Buyer’s Rising Stars. A collaborator and change agent in Greenville, Kimberly was recognized as the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional of the Year and for her work as the first African American President of the Junior League of Greenville and past board member for the United Way of Greenville County. Kimberly is a Fellow of the 15th class of the Liberty Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Kimberly currently serves on the Board of the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, the USC School of Medicine Greenville Dean’s Council and the Truist Community Advisory Board. She is Assistant General Counsel at Goodwill Industries International, where her work supports the Goodwill network through legal operations and compliance.
Click here to see a complete list of our Board of Directors!