Tosha Connors is a dynamic and forward-thinking nonprofit leader with two decades of experience of nonprofit experience. Tosha currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of My Sister’s House, a domestic violence agency serving the Tricounty. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Columbia College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia.

Bill O’Rourke spent the majority of his career at Alcoa, Inc. a global aluminum manufacturing company. After Bill retired from Alcoa, he continued to serve on the Board of the Alcoa Foundation and teach “values” at Alcoa’s Executive Leadership Program. He joined Alcoa as a Patent Attorney in 1975 and held a number of leadership positions including Corporate Patent Counsel, Vice President of Global Business Services (Financial Services, Human Resources Services, Aircraft Operations, etc.), Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Procurement, Corporate Auditor, and Assistant General Counsel. From 2005 to 2008 Bill was the President of Alcoa-Russia. Bill was the Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety and Sustainability three times under three CEOs at Alcoa. Prior to Alcoa, Bill was an Industrial Engineer for U.S. Steel Corporation and ran the global mining parts business for Joy Manufacturing Company.

Bill was also a Fellow of the Wheatley Institution in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University where he served on the Ethics Advisory Board and still teaches ethics to all their Business School students. He served on the Board of Directors of John Carroll University in Cleveland. He was on the Board of Directors (Past Chairman) of Sustainable Pittsburgh, on the Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on the local (Past Chairman) and international levels, and serves on a number of other civic, charitable and religious organizations. From 2011 to August, 2014 Bill was the Executive Director of the Beard Institute for Ethics at the School of Business at Duquesne University and currently chairs the Advisory Board at the Atkins Center for Ethics at Carlow University.

Bill lectures on Business Ethics, Corporate Compliance and Safety at a number of companies and hospitals around the World, at Rotary Clubs and at many universities including the University of Pittsburgh, Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona State, Florida, Illinois, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard Medical School, Northwestern, Chatham, San Jose, Viterbo, Benedictine, Marquette, Slippery Rock, Carlow, Notre Dame, Gonzaga, Virginia Tech, Loyola Marymount, the University of Dayton and Duquesne University. In August, 2016 Bill published the book “A Field Guide to Business Ethics,” with co-authors Dr. Brad Agle and Dr. Aaron Miller. The Field Guide is being used as a business ethics text at over 30 universities. In January of 2019, though not of the faith, Bill was tapped to be the interim Executive Director of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. He is currently assisting Value Capture to teach “safety” to hospital leaders nationwide, and with the Special Operations Forces of the US military to help reinforce character and integrity throughout the organization. Bill is a tour guide at Carrie Furnace a National Historic Landmark in Pittsburgh where he once worked as an Industrial Engineer.

Bill received his undergraduate degree (BS/BA) from John Carroll University and his law degree (JD) from Duquesne University. Bill served as an officer in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

Bill and his wife, Elena, have three children, six grandsons and live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE

BIOGRAPHY

Reginald L. “Reggie” Burgess, a native of North Charleston’s historical neighborhoods Union Heights and Liberty Hill, is a man of dedication and diverse achievements. His early love for sports led him to excel in track & field, baseball, football, and basketball during his youth, with football emerging as his true passion. Reggie’s prowess on the field earned him a full scholarship to Morgan State University, where he shone as a wide receiver for the Bears. His college career was marked by numerous accolades, including Sporting News Division 1-AA All-American honors, a spot on the Historical Black College Sports All-American 1st Team, and multiple All-MEAC selections. Despite his aspirations for the NFL, life had other plans, and Reggie returned to South Carolina, embarking on a distinguished law enforcement career.

Joining the North Charleston Police Department in 1989, Reggie’s commitment to justice and community service propelled him through the ranks. His roles ranged from Patrol Officer, DARE and GREAT Officer, to various investigative and supervisory positions, reflecting his versatility and leadership skills. By 2018, he reached the pinnacle of his police career as the Chief of Police for North Charleston, a testament to his dedication and expertise. His journey didn’t stop there, as on January 2, 2024, he was inaugurated as the Mayor of North Charleston, marking a new chapter in his service to the community.

Reggie’s educational pursuits complement his professional journey, holding a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Claflin University and completing advanced training at the Southern Police Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the US Secret Service Academy. These experiences reflect his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

Guided by his mother’s wisdom, “to thine own self be true,” Reggie balances his professional endeavors with a rich personal life. He cherishes his family, including his wife Tracy Riggins Burgess, his high school sweetheart, and their two children, Reggie II and Kristen. A lifelong member of Royal Missionary Baptist Church and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Reggie embodies a deep commitment to his faith and community. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to public service.