The International Center of the Upstate : About Us

MISSION | ICU HISTORY | STAFF | AWARDS & RECOGNITION | SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The International Center of the Upstate (ICU) is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting cross-cultural understanding among local and international residents of Upstate South Carolina.

Our mission

To welcome people of all nations into this region to gain knowledge, establish friendships and share their culture and talents;
To provide information, programs and services to benefit and promote residents and international businesses in our region;
To foster cultural diversity and harmony in our growing community.

The ICU provides a wide range of programs and services that support and promote the image of the Upstate as an important hub for international investment and trade.

Our vision is to be the leading international organization in the Upstate for services, resources, and information for individuals and businesses with global interests and activities, and to be an advocate for international cultural diversity and harmony in our community.

History of the ICU

With more than 230 international companies operating in this area, Upstate South Carolina has the largest foreign investment per capita of any region in the U.S. Many of these companies bring international employees to this area to live and work for a few years. In 1998, a group of individuals realized that there were no services for these international employees and their families who needed help settling in to the area. With the City of Greenville, the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Michelin North America, this group created an organization of local business and community leaders to meet the needs of those new international residents, and to give local residents a chance to meet people from other cultures.

Today the ICU is the Upstate leader in innovative international programs and events and serves as an important community resource. We are an independent nonprofit organization that include participants from more than 70 countries. Our members are a diverse and fascinating mix of foreign residents, immigrants, and Americans with an interest in people from other cultures. Join us!

ICU Staff

The ICU is staffed by an executive director, a program assistant, a board of directors who represent various businesses and ethnic groups in the Upstate, and more than 80 volunteers. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the ICU and are involved in various ways: they organize programs and events, assist with the administration, participate in school programs, or act as ambassadors for the ICU in the community.

KINNEIL COLTMAN
Kinneil Coltman is the Director of Diversity and Language Services for Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. Prior to her appointment at GHS, she was the Manger of Diversity Training and Consulting at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Diversity from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Master of Arts in Cross Cultural Studies and Organizational Diversity at The University of Houston – Clear Lake. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of the International Center of the Upstate, she is also a member of the YWCA Board, the Communicare Advisory Council, and the South Carolina Hospital Association Diversity Council and participates in a variety of community activities related to diversity and inclusion.

WENDY B. ANTHONY
Wendy Anthony, Executive Director of the ICU, recently moved to Greenville from Atlanta, Georgia, where she produced prime-time newscasts for CNN en Español. During her time with CNN, she also worked on programs such as The Situation Room, Wolf Blitzer Reports, and Inside Africa. She holds a Master of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, International Studies, and Communication, all from St. Louis University in Missouri.

Ms. Anthony is married to Jorge de Luis, a native of Zaragoza, Spain. She is very aware of the challenges of moving into a new country and adjusting to different cultures. Ms. Anthony has traveled abroad extensively, and lived in Spain, France and Mexico during her education. She has been fortunate to work with internationals both domestically and abroad. She is passionate about international cultures and promoting cultural diversity.

Ms. Anthony is excited to work with the Upstate community and to continue to promote the mission of the International Center of the Upstate: "The ICU impresses me as an organization that has worked for over a decade to provide cultural outreach, business connections, and grassroots programs designed to support newcomers and serve as a liaison between internationals and local residents to create a more vibrant and inter-connected society. These same efforts have been the impetus in my personal and professional work, sharing the goal of reaching out to the global community and to promote cultural awareness."

Ms. Anthony succeeds Patricia Harrison, the ICU's first executive director, who recently relocated to the Washington, D.C. area.
Wendy Anthony spotlighted in Greenville News City People

Wendy was also selected as one of Greenville First's Best & Brightest Under 35 for 2009. Read more.

BETTINA WIENANDS
Bettina Wienands, Administrative Assistant at the ICU, is a certified travel agent and previously worked for over 14 years at travel agencies in different locations in Germany. Due to her work she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the USA, and parts of Asia and Africa. In the US, Bettina has worked as a volunteer for the ICU in various positions and has been a member of the Women’s Club Committee since 2007. She also enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools and is a store volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages.

"Nothing is more rewarding than working with people from different cultures and being able to form so many friendships. The ICU is the ideal place for all this."

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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Since its inception, the ICU has been recognized as a leading advocate for intercultural understanding and education in Upstate South Carolina. Below are some recent examples of that recognition:

2005 Upstate Diversity Leadership Award for Outstanding Achievement in Promoting International Diversity
On May 10, 2005, the International Center of the Upstate received a
Diversity Leadership Award for promoting international diversity. The award was granted by the Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Spartanburg Area and Anderson Area Chambers of Commerce. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in promoting international diversity in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Congratulations to our board of directors, our executive director, and the 80+ volunteers who work so hard to provide the community with many programs, events and services at the International Center of the Upstate!
Market Street Economic Development Report calls for the expansion and support of the ICU
In February 2006, Market Street Services released its Economic Development Strategy for Greenville. The report lauds the efforts of the International Center of the Upstate, citing the ICU as "an excellent starting point for strengthening networks of immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals." The report also calls for the establishment of a Center to house all international chambers and groups of the area, and recommends that Greenville "support the expansion of programs related to the existing International Center of the Upstate." For the full report, read pages 44-46 of the Market Street Economic Development Strategy for Greenville. If you would like to discuss the report’s recommendations, please contact ICU executive director Wendy Anthony.
Future International Center at center of Greenville’s Vision 2025
Greenville’s plan for the future of the community includes includes this goal under the category of Internationalism:

By 2025, Greenville has established an International Center noted for its exceptional architecture and which is home to various international cultural programs and exhibits and adjacent to a cluster of governmental and business related offices involved with international trade and investment. The International Center serves as a coordinating entity to promote international cultural programs in the area.
ICU Board Member Margo Pons honored for her outstanding volunteerism at the ICU
In February 2006, Margo Pons was one of the recipients of the Amy Kay Stubbs Dream Achievers Award granted by the YWCA of Greenville for outstanding contributions to the community. Margo's honor recognizes the 5+ years she has spent volunteering at the ICU to support the international community in Greenville, as well as her generous spirit and desire to help others. The ICU proudly applauds Margo for this well-deserved honor.
Former ICU Executive Director Honored as a "Woman of Distinction"
In April 2004, Soroptimist International of Greenville named Dr. Patricia Marby Harrison a "Woman of Distinction" for her achievements in promoting international goodwill and understanding. She subsequently received 1st place in the Southeast Region for her work with the international community of Upstate South Carolina.

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Supporting International Business

ICU creates partnerships with the Upstate business community:

Does your company have clients or customers from other cultures or other countries?In our increasingly global economy, it is crucial for Upstate businesses to be aware of their global interdependence and to establish effective intercultural relationships. The ICU educates locally-based businesses on cross-cultural issues in business and helps make connections with the international community in this region.

Does your company support diversity in the workplace and the community? Many businesses understand the importance of making sure that their employees can work with people from other cultures. These businesses also recognize that fostering a diverse community is valuable for economic growth.

Does your company expend resources to relocate international employees to the Upstate? Experts estimate that it costs at least $100,000 to $300,000 to move an employee from overseas. Yet these reassignments are not always successful, due largely to personal dissatisfaction of the employees and their families. Using contributions from our business sponsors and the expertise of our staff and caring volunteers, the ICU works to connect international employees and their families to their new community in positive ways.

Be part of the good work that the ICU does with the businesses of Upstate South Carolina and the world: become a sponsor of the International Center! Click here for details on ICU sponsorship.

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