Columbia Chamber to Honor Sharon Bryant at 122nd Annual Gala
The Columbia Chamber will honor Sharon W. Bryant with the Ambassador of the Year Award at Uncorked, the Chamber’s 122nd Annual Gala, on October 2. The award, sponsored by Colonial Life, recognizes a community leader who exemplifies outstanding business ethics and promotes the growth and vitality of the Midlands.
“The Annual Gala is our chance to celebrate the people and businesses who make the Midlands such a vibrant place to live and work,” said Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO. “The Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes someone whose integrity, leadership, and commitment to our community shine through in everything they do. Sharon Bryant truly embodies that spirit.”
Bryant is the South Carolina Regional Executive Vice President for First Citizens Bank, where she oversees retail, business, and commercial banking across South Carolina, Northeast Georgia, Augusta, and Savannah. A Columbia native, she began her career with First Citizens in 1999 and has held multiple senior leadership roles before assuming her current position in 2014.
With more than 35 years of experience in banking, fiduciary, and investment services, Bryant is also a licensed securities representative and principal. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry Award, the Athena Award, the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award, the Order of the Palmetto, and the Junior League of the Midlands Lifetime Achievement Award.
Deeply engaged in the community, Bryant serves on several boards, including the Palmetto Business Forum, SC State Museum Commission, and MUSC Health CMC. She is also a founding member of Women in Philanthropy.
“Sharon’s extraordinary dedication to community service and philanthropic leadership over the past three decades has made a profound and lasting impact on the Midlands,” said Tim Arnold, President and CEO of Colonial Life. “Her tireless work with United Way of the Midlands, Women in Philanthropy, and numerous civic organizations reflects the values we champion at Colonial Life — strengthening our communities, expanding opportunity, and investing in long-term solutions.”
In addition to Bryant’s recognition, the Gala will also present awards for Young Professional of the Year, Partner of the Year, Joe Taylor Public Servant of the Year, Military Advocate of the Year, and Diplomat of the Year.
For more information about Uncorked, the Columbia Chamber’s 122nd Annual Gala, contact Hilary Bell at 803-733-1115 or visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com