Read about the nominees below, then scroll to the bottom to cast your vote!
| Nominee | Nominee profile |
|---|---|
Avis Wright '95 | Avis Wright, a proud member of the GSSM Class of 1995, is not only a sales powerhouse but also a fierce advocate for equity, mentorship, and community service. Her career in the Chicago area speaks volumes about her exceptional ability to lead, inspire, and empower others. But what truly sets Avis apart is her deep-rooted commitment to service and her unwavering dedication to giving back to the very community that shaped her. A committed alumna, Avis has made significant contributions to GSSM through her work on the Alumni Board and, most notably, by organizing the Leann Watson and Edwina Edwards Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund. This enduring legacy not only honors her late classmates but also ensures the future success of GSSM students for generations to come, and is well on its way to meeting its fundraising goal, projected to reach more than half of its $150,000 financial target by the end of FY 2025. After earning a degree in Chemistry from Clemson University, Avis launched her career at GE as an Application Development Engineer. Following nearly a decade in technical sales roles, she transitioned into sales leadership where her strategic thinking and natural ability to develop and guide others led her teams to numerous top sales awards. In 2019, Avis made a bold move into the SaaS industry, where she quickly earned recognition as a top performer, including membership in the prestigious President’s Club. As an Account Executive at Salesforce, Avis continues to elevate her standard of excellence. Beyond her corporate success, Avis has dedicated herself to helping others reach their full potential. As a professional coach, she works with high-performing individuals to gain the clarity and confidence they need to achieve both personal and professional success. Avis’s commitment to inclusion and diversity is evident in her leadership roles at LinkedIn and SurveyMonkey, where she co-led Black employee resource groups, including BUILD (Blacks United in Leadership and Development). In these roles, she championed efforts for professional development, leadership training, and the retention of underrepresented employees—solidifying her place as a lifelong advocate for equity and mentorship. Avis’s impact extends well beyond the workplace. For many years she has volunteered with the Glass Slipper Project, providing prom attire to students in need, has mentored young women through She’s All That and offered leadership coaching for Debra’s Place of Chicago, an organization supporting women transitioning out of homelessness. Colleagues and friends describe Avis as a dynamic professional, but more importantly, as someone with an unwavering heart. Her authenticity, empathy, and unshakable belief in the potential of others have made her a trusted leader, mentor, and advocate for the advancement of women and Black professionals. For all that she has accomplished and continues to do, Avis Wright is a true embodiment of the spirit of leadership, service, and advocacy. |
Jun Xu '97 | Jun Xu, a member of the GSSM Class of 1997, is president of Brighton Best International, Inc., a global leader in fastener distribution with 31 locations across the globe. He is also a current member of the GSSM Foundation Board of Directors, having served for six years as an active advocate of past, present, and future student success. After graduating from the University of California - Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, Jun transferred his STEM education to his passion for more entrepreneurial endeavors at Arthur Andersen, KPMG, and Bank of America. Jun worked as a consultant at KPMG before attending Yale School of Management, where he graduated in 2007 with a Masters in Business Administration. After a stint in investment banking he was approached by his father-in-law to join Brighton-Best International, a wholesaler of industrial fasteners. He joined the team at BBI in 2008, and the company has since expanded in seven countries and distinguished itself under his direction, along with that of partner and Brighton Best COO, Peggy Hsieh as a leader across construction, electrical, industrial and OEM applications. Since graduating from GSSM, Jun has continued to contribute to current and future student success, both through his time spent serving on the Board of Directors of the GSSM Foundation and through financial support, most recently championing the construction of GSSM’s new hydroponics lab and in connecting alumni throughout southern California. Jun also volunteers in the greater LA area by serving on the board of the National History Museum of Los Angeles County. When asked about the impact GSSM has had on his personal and professional life, he says: “The school has been a transformative experience for many of us. Many of the friends we made are still some of the closest friends we have despite the passing of years. In my career, I have been fortunate enough to travel and see a big part of the world. However, no matter where I’ve been, a part of my heart always misses the simplicity and quiet beauty of South Carolina. The school has been incredibly fortunate with the generosity of the State and the families and friends that have supported our education over the years. This is an important part of why the school should continue to grow and expand its programming for the better of everyone in South Carolina, including our future alumni base. We have to remember our roots, and work to nurture those roots for future generations.” |
Neel Sus '95 | Neel Sus, Class of 1995, exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a Govie: an innovator, leader, and community builder. Neel is the founder and CEO of SusCo. In 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he founded this New-Orleans based technology firm that has grown into a company grounded in service, integrity, and human development. What began as a response to a crisis has evolved into a nationally recognized company dedicated to transformational impact through mobile application development, customized employee growth, and insurance claims software platforms. Under his leadership, SusCo has earned numerous accolades, including but not limited to:
And yet, Neel’s success goes far beyond metrics. His company is guided by a core purpose: "To build systems that unleash human potential." This purpose shows up every day through:
A graduate of Tulane University (Mechanical Engineering) and the University of Bristol (Economics), Neel is a highly engaged leader, widely respected for his business acumen, values-driven leadership, and servant mindset. He is deeply passionate about his work with Son of a Saint, where he contributes financially and has worked to introduce transformative practices to elevate the lives of participants and their families, including Transcendental Meditation (TM) for both the young men in the program and their mothers. Personally, Neel is focused on generational impact as is reflected in serving as a role model and supporting family members to break cycles of obesity, anxiety, and depression. He also credits GSSM as a turning point in his life. As the 2025 GSSM Commencement Speaker, Neel brought his journey full circle–in his own words: “GSSM played a pivotal role in my personal transformation. It challenged me in ways I didn’t expect—not just academically, but emotionally and socially. GSSM helped me see myself more clearly, and that set the foundation for everything I’ve built since.” |