PanelistS hIGHLIGHT
Amanda Bryson
Amanda “Mandy” Bryson serves as the Continuing Education Program and Data Manager for the South Carolina Technical College System within the ReadySC division. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University and an Associate’s degree in Business Management from Tri-County Technical College. Mandy leads statewide continuing education data collection and reporting for all 16 technical colleges, transforming complex information into actionable insights that support informed decision-making. With three years of experience working directly at a technical college, she brings a practical understanding of learner needs and program performance, and is driven by a belief that everyone deserves access to opportunity—helping ensure continuing education programs across South Carolina are accessible, effective, and impactful..
South Carolina Technical College System
Janelle Willis
Janelle Willis is an experienced healthcare operations leader with over 16 years in supply chain and project management. As Director of Logistics and Distribution, she leads enterprise-wide initiatives to ensure clinicians have reliable, timely access to critical resources that support high-quality patient care.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Healthcare Administration) from Winthrop University and dual Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University. Janelle is recognized for her strategic leadership, operational focus, and commitment to community impact, including honors such as 2026 Charlotte Business Journal Woman of Business and North Carolina’s 2025 Women to Know.
Advocate Health
Jerry Houston
Advocate Health
Jerry is a dedicated U.S. Navy veteran with over 25 years of supply chain experience; he has been an invaluable member of the Advocate Health team for the past 16 years. His journey here has been marked by exceptional expertise and commitment across various supply chain leadership roles.
Jerry holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and is a solution-focused professional with extensive experience in inventory, distribution, procurement, supply chain, and supplier management, and hospital facility supply chain operations. He excels in formulating strategies that support organizational goals to drive success. Jerry leads all hospital facility-based supply chain management operations activities in Charlotte and surrounding counties.
Steven Walesch
Medical University of South Carolina
Steven Walesch is an accomplished healthcare talent executive with over three decades of experience leading enterprise talent acquisition, workforce strategy, and recruitment marketing initiatives. In his role as Enterprise Executive Director of Talent Acquisition at the Medical University of South Carolina, he drives operational excellence, workforce transformation, and shared services initiatives while supporting complex, high-volume hiring environments. His leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in team performance, employer branding, and talent pipeline development, positioning organizations for sustained growth.
Dr. Tim Rees
DEW