The Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook is powered by member-led Board of Directors and Committees. 

The Board of Directors provides leadership and oversight to ensure the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook stays focused on its mission and delivers measurable impact in our community. Working closely with club committees and volunteers, the Board helps guide strategic priorities, supports responsible stewardship of funds, and strengthens partnerships that advance our four areas of service—Child Abuse Prevention, Americanism, Community Service, and Youth Programs. Together, they help ensure the Club remains a trusted, volunteer-driven organization that turns local support into meaningful results for Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.

Committees are where ideas become action—planning projects, evaluating grants, organizing events, supporting our meetings, and expanding our impact in the Johns and Wadmalaw communities. Most members participate on at least one committee. It’s the best way to meet people, contribute your skills, and make a tangible difference in the community.

How We’re Organized

Club Leadership (Board and Officers)

Club Leadership provides overall direction and ensures the club runs smoothly—governance, goal-setting, finances, meeting leadership, and alignment with bylaws. 

President, Chris Stephenson – Provides leadership to the Board and membership, presides at meetings, and drives plans and goals for club success. 

President-Elect, Lisa McDonald – Assists the President and recruits next-year committee chairs and leadership. 

Past President, Thad Peterson – Supports the President, chairs the Foundation Board, and emcees Grants Night and the Angel Oak Award Banquet. 

Treasurer, Ed Heskamp – Oversees club and Foundation accounts, records, and reporting; manages operational and fundraising accounts; prepares grant distributions; and supports required filings/registrations. 

Secretary, Phyllis Barber – Records and maintains minutes for club dinner meetings and Board/Foundation meetings. 

Foundation Leadership

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that receives tax-deductible contributions to supplement fundraising from club activities for charitable giving. Donations may be unrestricted (allowing the club to direct funds) or restricted (donor-designated). The Foundation also sponsors and oversees the Angel Oak Award Banquet and Grants Award Night. 

Foundation Chair, Thad Peterson
Foundation Vice Chair, Bob Leggett
Foundation Board Member, Phyllis Barber
Foundation Board Member, Ed Heskamp
Foundation Board Member, Lisa McDonald
Foundation Board Member, Charlie Septer
Foundation Board Member, Chris Stephenson

Service Committees (Our Four Programs of Service)

These committees drive our mission work and grant-making, aligned to our four pillars. 

Youth and Education
Ed Leary, Committee Chair

Improves educational quality and opportunities for students on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands through grants, student recognition, and scholarships that help students continue their education. 

Community Outreach – Health and Housing
Bob Schick, Committee Chair

Evaluates and allocates funds to health and housing organizations serving disadvantaged residents. The committee reviews the purpose of requests and considers financial stewardship, including the balance of administration/fundraising versus program delivery. 

Community Outreach – Hunger and Mentoring
Marlisa Bannister, Committee Chair

Supports neighbors in need through organizations distributing food and providing essential support, including help for families with temporary needs and seniors/disabled neighbors with ongoing needs. This committee supports over a dozen organizations reaching over 3,000 people each year. 

Child Abuse Prevention
Charlie Septer, Committee Chair

Supports and works with current and potential grantees to assess how they can best serve Johns and Wadmalaw Islands in childhood abuse prevention. 

Americanism
Jack Wilson, Committee Chair

Promotes pride in our country, appreciation for freedoms, and gratitude to those who serve or have served. The committee oversees honoring South Carolina Fallen Heroes at meetings and supports the display of over 120 U.S. flags on holidays across Seabrook, Kiawah, and Johns Islands. 

Operational, Administrative, and Fundraising Committees

These teams keep the club strong—fundraising, member engagement, communications, events, meeting logistics, and the tools that help everything run smoothly. 

Handbook & Advertising Sales
Rich Gwyn, Committee Chair

Recruits and trains members to sell and renew ads, sets ad rates, and leads the club’s largest fundraising effort. 

Membership
Jack Wilson, Committee Chair

Builds and nurtures an engaged membership through recruitment materials, onboarding, follow-up with guests/prospects, roster management, and meeting sign-ins. 

Communications
Lisa McDonald, Committee Chair

Informs members, prospective members, and the public about club activities via newsletters and outreach to local media and social channels. 

Speakers
Rick McDonald, Committee Chair

Secures and schedules dinner speakers, manages logistics and audio/visual needs, and welcomes and introduces speakers. 

Activities
Marjorie Stephenson, Committee Chair

Plans special activities and recruits volunteers for events such as the Holiday Party, Bohicket Run, Members’ Social Golf Outing, Veterans Day Charitable Golf Tournament, and the Angel Oak Award Banquet. 

Dinners and Surveys
Bill Nelson, Committee Chair

Coordinates dinner meetings (scheduling, invitations, support, attendance counts) and manages post-dinner feedback surveys; provides meeting-night support for A/V and speaker materials. 

Website and Member Engagement
Bryan Bolling, Committee Chair

Improves tools and communications that increase participation and enhance the member experience—meeting sign-ups, onboarding, website content, and consistent email templates for committee communications. 

National Holiday Flag Displays

Facilitates set-up and take-down of American flag displays on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day—an extension of Americanism. 

Get Involved

If you’re a member and want to plug in, we’ll help you find a committee that matches your interests—whether you like hands-on service, planning events, supporting students, honoring Fallen Heroes, fundraising, or improving the member experience.