At our next Thrive Luncheon on October 27, we will be joined by human resource specialists and industry leaders to discuss strategies to recruit, retain and reengage professional women in the workplace. It is imperative that employers understand the value that women bring to the workforce and find ways to ensure their success. Register Now
Moderator: Liz Ashley, Senior Consultant, Liz Ashley Coaching
Beverly Cowart, Sr. Vice President, Talent Solutions, SC Ports Authority
As Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions at SCPA, Mrs. Cowart is responsible for talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, labor, employee relations, leadership training, development programs, and internal communications. Prior to assuming the helm of the Talent Solutions Department in July of 2019, she served as SCPA’s Human Resources Director for two years prior. Mrs. Cowart earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University, and worked as an engineer for a decade at companies that include the Charleston Naval Shipyard and Robert Bosch Corp. She also has more than two decades of experience in Human Resources, and earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in human resources from Charleston Southern University while working in HR. Additional companies where she worked include MWV/Ingevity where she spent six years as manager of global learning and organizational development before joining the Port.
Sarah Castle, Director, Amazon Technical Academy
Sarah is an executive at Amazon where she’s worked for 14 years. Her background includes a variety of roles including mergers & acquisitions, digital devices, Amazon Alexa voice technology, digital and print books, and human resources. She’s a builder and thrives in early-stage environments focused on new products/technology. She has a knack for transforming teams into high-performing organizations and growing them to scale. She gets energy from developing leaders and strong succession plans. Prior to Amazon, Sarah worked for General Electric. She has a Master’s from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s from Syracuse University.
Frances Yarbrough, Team Leader, Civil Engineering Team Leader, Seamon Whiteside
Frances has been a Civil Engineer with Seamon Whiteside (SW+) since her graduation from Clemson University in 2013. After several years in the Mount Pleasant, SC office, Frances was chosen to be part of a strategic team to open an SW+ office in Charlotte, NC. In addition to being a Civil Engineering Team Leader, her role includes Charlotte Office Operations, People Support, and Sustainable Office Growth. She has worked on a variety of projects, including mixed-use developments, roadway and utilities infrastructure, retail expansions and improvements, single and multi-family residential, and luxury private homes.
