Clemson Alumni Panel: Business, Policy, and Research Leaders Discuss Ethics

Three Clemson University alumni shared their perspectives on professional ethics during a panel discussion held on Oct. 28 in Hardin Hall. The event marked the ninth annual Ethics Day, a gathering organized by the Rutland Institute for Ethics to connect current students with former classmates now working in business, government, and research.

The panel featured Parker Tilley, class of 2019, Sallie McLeod, class of 2020, and Erin Glass, class of 2021 and master’s graduate of 2025. Each speaker spent 15 minutes describing their current roles before leading smaller breakout sessions. Ashley McCollum, a master’s student in counselor education and a graduate assistant in the Office of the President, moderated the session.

Tilley, who earned dual degrees in finance and accounting, now works as an investment banking associate with Truist Securities. He explained that his daily work involves balancing the needs of clients and shareholders. He noted that trust is the foundation of his field, stating that strong relationships and business growth rely on providing sound advice to constituents.

McLeod, a dual-degree graduate in communication and women’s leadership, currently serves as a lobbyist for the South Carolina Association of Counties. She discussed the tension between what is legally permissible and what is ethically right. She emphasized that her profession requires honesty, transparency, and professional boundaries to maintain credibility with colleagues and counterparts.

Glass, who holds degrees in microbiology and applied health research, works as a coordinator at Tribe Clinical Research in Greenville. She leads nine clinical trials focused on pediatric vaccine research. Her responsibilities include participant care, site operations, study oversight, regulatory compliance, and data management. She spoke specifically about the importance of informed consent in building trust between medical providers and patients.

Bill McCoy, Ph.D., director of the Rutland Institute for Ethics, opened the event by noting that Clemson is a land-grant institution dedicated to developing students who benefit the state and region. He said the university’s mission calls for good decision-making and ethical lifestyles, and the institute aims to bring those concepts into practice. Students from the Honors College and the CHANGE student organization attended the event alongside members of Rutland’s Advisory Board and the Faculty Advocating for the Commitment to Ethics committee.

Bryce Havens, a senior in the Honors College and a teaching assistant in chemical and biomolecular engineering, represented the student body. He is the policies and procedures chair for CHANGE. The institute will host its next major event, the TIDE Conference, on Feb. 22 and 23, 2027.