As the city manager of Columbia, South Carolina, Teresa Wilson (Liberty Fellow) is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations for a city of more than 133,000 people.
Over the course of the pandemic, Teresa led through pivot after pivot as regulation, protocols, and needs constantly evolved. Through it all, she worked to sustain: the jobs of the city’s 2,300 employees; local businesses by responding to their economic needs; and basic services to the city’s population – all while sustaining herself.
Watch episode three of #LeadershipLessons to hear more on the biggest challenges Teresa faced this past year, how she was able to balance the needs of her community, and her personal reflection on what helped her show up every day for the people of Columbia through this time of crisis.
Teresa Wilson is Columbia, South Carolina’s City Manager where she has implemented and overseen numerous initiatives focused on making the city more efficient and more effective for citizens and business owners. Teresa has built partnerships with other Midlands area governments, businesses, and educational institutions to streamline government and increase the opportunities for the people of Columbia South Carolina. Her leadership has been integral to the rebirth of downtown and other groundbreaking initiatives including transforming Columbia’s Community Development department into a nationally recognized model organization. Teresa is a 2018 Liberty Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Liberty Fellowship is an incubator for exemplary leadership in South Carolina. Members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Fellows make a lifelong commitment to use their creativity, network, and energy to move South Carolina forward.
Leadership Lessons – a Video Series from the Aspen Global Leadership Network
The impacts of COVID-19 continue to challenge our communities. However, through these challenges, there’s a lot to be learned. In “Leadership Lessons” hear from leaders who have stepped up in new ways and remained steadfast in their values through this crisis. How did they make the tough decisions? How have they changed as leaders? Tune in and gain top insights from values-driven leaders – Fellows in the Aspen Global Leadership Network – who are battling trade-offs, creating rapid responses to community needs, sharpening new skills, and more.
New episodes are released Tuesdays and Thursdays on the AGLN’s social media handles. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to watch in real-time.
