Leadership Maryland Inc News Newswire

Leadership Maryland Announces Emerging Leader Program 3rd Class

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

32 rising stars and high-potential employees chosen to participate in Leadership Maryland’s six-month professional development program

MARYLAND (February 25, 2026) – Leadership Maryland, the statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and community leaders, announces today the 32 individuals selected to participate in the Emerging Leader Program 3rd Class.

The class consists of rising stars and high-potential employees from across the state who are poised for upward growth within their organizations and eager to hone their core leadership skills.

The Emerging Leader Program runs from June to November and consists of monthly day-long sessions that include interactive training led by a facilitator and panel discussions featuring leaders from across the state as guest speakers. The curriculum offers a holistic approach to leadership development, designed to increase self-awareness and equip participants with the behaviors, skills, and tools to become more adaptive, inclusive, strategic, and impactful leaders.

“We are excited to announce the new Emerging Leader 3rd Class and welcome these motivated and forward-thinking individuals to our program,” said David Fike ’16 (LM), president and CEO of Leadership Maryland.

“The class members demonstrate exceptional promise and a strong commitment to their communities,” said Meghan Blanchard, Director, Emerging Leader Program, Leadership Maryland. “Through our comprehensive curriculum, they will gain the strategic insights and self-awareness necessary to drive positive impact within their organizations and across the state.”

Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program is open to individuals advancing in their careers, actively involved in their communities, and seeking to become stronger leaders in both areas. Ideal members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, communities, and state. For more information, please visit leadershipmd.org, call 410-841-2101, or email info@leadershipmd.org.

Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program 3rd Class Participants:

Starr Baker, EL 3rd Class

Senior Strategic Planning Project Manager

United States Department of Commerce

Brian Bennett, EL 3rd Class

Street Maintenance Supervisor

City of Laurel

Kate Bleile, EL 3rd Class

Public Affairs Coordinator

Salisbury University

Mary Buffington, EL 3rd Class

Project Manager

Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative

John Caine, EL 3rd Class

Project Manager

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Alexander Choi, EL 3rd Class

Executive Director, Government, Program Development, Research & Policy

Maryland Technology Development Corp.

Leah Copper, EL 3rd Class

Billing & Collections Supervisor

Easton Utilities

Nora Corasaniti, EL 3rd Class

Deputy Director of State Legislative Affairs

Maryland Department of Transportation

Asa Council, EL 3rd Class

Sr. Mortgage Consultant

Mortgage Experts

Kathryn Dachille, EL 3rd Class

Associate Counsel – Global Intellectual Property & Brand Protection

McCormick & Company, Inc.

Sharon Distance-Hawkins, EL 3rd Class

Division Chief

Maryland State Highway Administration

Jessica El-Zeftawy, EL 3rd Class

Development Officer

Frederick County Public Libraries

Madan Gaddam, EL 3rd Class

Assistant Division Chief, Engineering Geology Division

Maryland State Highway Administration – Office of Materials Technology

Emad Gheibi, EL 3rd Class

Deputy Director for Planning and Programming

Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

Ashley Gibbs, EL 3rd Class

Digital Applications Specialist

City of Bowie, IT Department

Jessica Gross, EL 3rd Class

Local Care Team Coordinator

Charles County Government

T’Amani Hamlett, EL 3rd Class

Chief Building Official for the Office of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services

City of Laurel

Zachary Hands, EL 3rd Class

Executive Director

Maryland State Board of Education

Breanna Hill, EL 3rd Class

Director, Community Impact

APG Federal Credit Union

Ibrahim Jalloh, EL 3rd Class

DevOps Engineer

Open Systems Technologies Corporation

Jeri Lawson, EL 3rd Class

Vice President, Human Resources

Standard Solar, Inc.

Chijiaku “CJ” Maduka, EL 3rd Class

Director of Talent Development

Fello

Kitty McIlroy, EL 3rd Class

Project Manager III

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

Mira Morgan, EL 3rd Class

Project Manager, Community Development Administration

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Brent Murphy, EL 3rd Class

Environmental Operations Superintendent

Charles County Government

Joshua Papsan, EL 3rd Class

Manager Substation and Services

Baltimore Gas and Electric

Luke Pinton, EL 3rd Class

Associate

Funk & Bolton, P.A.

Yixin Qiu, EL 3rd Class

Product Manager

Qlarant

Naeemuddin Qureshi, EL 3rd Class

Assistant Division Chief

Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

Beth Rehbehn, EL 3rd Class

VP of Financial Wellness

AFS 401(k) Retirement Services, A HUB International Company

Joseph Toolan, EL 3rd Class

Justicia Y Equidad Fund Director

GreenLatinos

Abraham Yoffe, EL 3rd Class

Vice President

HDC Inc

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and community leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s Executive Program selects as many as 53 diverse and accomplished senior-level leaders from Maryland’s public and private sectors each year to participate in an eight-month learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic, and environmental issues. In 2024, Leadership Maryland launched the Emerging Leader Program to bring together 30–40 of the state’s rising stars and provide them with the skills and tools needed to advance in their careers. With an alumni network comprised of leaders from all industries and regions of the state, Leadership Maryland has established thousands of Marylanders on their career leadership path, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change.

# # #

Leadership Maryland Announces 2026 Executive Class

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

53 business and community leaders chosen to complete the eight-month professional development program

MARYLAND (February 12, 2026) – Leadership Maryland officially announces the Executive Program’s Class of 2026, consisting of 53 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland.

The Class of 2026, the Executive Program’s 33rd class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, and gender. The program will run from April to December, and include five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multiculturalism/diversity across the state. More than 100 experts representing Maryland’s business, government, education, and nonprofit communities will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

“Welcoming a new cohort to our flagship Executive Program is always a highlight of our year, and the Class of 2026 is truly exceptional," said David Fike ’16 (LM), president and CEO of Leadership Maryland. "Selection for this program is incredibly competitive, and these leaders stood out not just for what they’ve already achieved, but for their genuine commitment to shaping a better future for Maryland. We can’t wait to see how they challenge each other and grow together to drive meaningful change across our state.”

Leadership Maryland’s flagship Executive Program is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit leadershipmd.org, call 410-841-2101, or email info@leadershipmd.org.

Leadership Maryland Class of 2026 participants:

Leigh Adams ‘26

Executive Director

Ausherman Family Foundation

Dr. Paula Anderson ‘26

President/CEO

PACE Consulting

Marsha D. Anderson ‘26

Executive Director, Strategic Accounts

Kaiser Permanente

Ross Benincasa ‘26

Senior Vice President of Community Development

Fello

Anthony Betterson ‘26

Managing Director – Chief of Staff

The Harbor Bank of Maryland

Michael A. Bowers ‘26

Executive Director of Human Capital

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Shane Breakie ‘26

Vice President – Sustainability and Organic Growth

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Yvonne Briley-Wilson ‘26

Maryland Correctional Ombudsman

State of Maryland – Office of the Correctional Ombudsman (OCO)

Matthew Calhoun ‘26

Executive Vice President – Retail Banking

M&T Bank

Nicholas Clark ‘26

SVP – Commercial Banking Executive Maryland

Fulton Bank

Torine B. Creppy ‘26

President

Safe Kids Worldwide

and Vice-President

Children's National Hospital

Dr. Percy E. Dangerfield ‘26

Chief Administrative Officer

Maryland Transportation Authority

Renee R. Dash ‘26

Chief Operating Officer

The League for People with Disabilities

Courtney Davis ‘26

Deputy Director

State of Maryland, Office of Social Equity (OSE)

Candace Dodson-Reed ‘26

Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President

MEDCO

Beth Anne Dorman ’26

President & CEO

For All Seasons, Inc.

Christopher Eccleston ‘26

President/Owner

Delmarva Veteran Builders

Janssen Evelyn ‘26

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Anne Arundel County Government

Mary Pat Fannon ‘26

Executive Director

Public School State Superintendents’ Association of Maryland

James Fraser ‘26

Vice President

H&H Rock Companies

Claudia Glover ‘26

Chief Investment Officer, Financial Advisor

BFG Financial Advisors

Geyssel Gonzalez ‘26

Deputy CFO

Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO)

Sara Goodman-Stickler ‘26

President & CEO

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Scott Gottbreht ‘26

Assistant Secretary of Policy

Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development

Amir Hammad ‘26

Plant Manager – Hydro

Constellation

Sara Johnson ‘26

Co-Founder & COO

CASH Campaign of Maryland

Matt Laurent ‘26

Dean of the College of Health and Human Services

Salisbury University

Christine Leister ‘26

CFO

Qlarant

Amy Liebman ‘26

Chief Program Officer

Migrant Clinicians Network

Thomas Luginbill ‘26

Executive Director, PIC MC

Montgomery College

Carrie Manuel ‘26

Vice President, Finance

Easton Utilities

Francesco Marra ‘26

President & CEO

Marra Forni

Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm ‘26

President

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Robert Moore ‘26

Senior Vice President

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Bryan Mulford ‘26

Vice President, Commercial Markets

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Scott A. Nicewarner ‘26

City Administrator

City of Hagerstown, MD

Moyah Panda ‘26

Executive Director, Office of Police Accountability

Anne Arundel County Government

Christopher “Scott” Pomento ‘26

Chief Financial Officer

Maryland State Highway Administration

Deborah Ricker, Ph.D. ‘26

President

Hood College

Gayon Sampson ‘26

Chief of Staff to the Mayor

The City of Frederick

Larissa Severn ‘26

Director of Client Engagement

Orases

Steven Skerritt-Davis ‘26

Executive Director

Maryland State Arts Council

Louise D. Slezak ‘26

Assistant Vice President, Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Community College of Baltimore County

Teaera Strum ‘26

CEO

Strum Contracting Company

Bridgette Stumpf ‘26

CEO & Co-Founder

Volare

Meghan Sweigart ‘26

Executive Director

TechFrederick

Mark Thompson ‘26

Chief of Commercial Development

Charles County Economic Development Department

Colleen E. Vacelet ‘26

Founder/President of Intreegue Design, Inc.

Owner/President of Order Green Supply

Partner at MHG Engineering

Lori Valentine ‘26

Senior Consultant

Candace F. Vanderwater ‘26

President & CEO

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas

Matthew J. Wessel ‘26

Senior Director, External Engagement

Rodgers Consulting, Inc.

Lynn Wilkinson ‘26

Chief Financial and Compliance Officer

The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region

Walter Woods ‘26

Coordinator for Outreach and Strategic Initiatives

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and community leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s Executive Program selects as many as 53 diverse and accomplished senior-level leaders from Maryland’s public and private sectors each year to come together as a class for an eight-month learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. And new in 2024, Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program brings together a class of 30-40 of the state’s rising stars and gives them the skills and tools they need to advance in their careers. With an alumni network comprised of leaders from all industries and regions of the state, Leadership Maryland has established thousands of Marylanders on their career leadership path, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change. To learn more, please visit leadershipmd.org.

# # #

Leadership Maryland Announces 2026 Officers and Directors

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:13:04 GMT

MARYLAND, December 10, 2026– Leadership Maryland, the professional development program
dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and
community leaders, announces the election of its officers and board of directors for the coming
year. These individuals will each begin a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026.

Newly elected officials:

Chair: Eli Modlin ’19 (LM), chief of staff and vice president of public affairs & strategic initiatives, Salisbury University
Vice Chair: Diane Devaney ’16 (LM), president & founder, Devaney & Associates, Inc.
Secretary: Blair Brennan Slaughter, PhD ’19 (LM), CEO & founder, Delve Consulting and DelveHR
Treasurer: Chris Borgal CSM ’16 (LM), vice president of asset management, The Peterson Companies/National Harbor

Newly elected directors:

Steve Blair ’24 (LM), president, Lyceum Insurance Services, LLC
Elaine Chang ’22 (LM), former director, Department of Partnerships, Montgomery County Public Schools
Leah Gregg EL 1 st Class (SM), vice president and director, Deposit Services, First United Bank and Trust
Jackie Lopez ’24 (LM), president, Premier Enterprise Solutions, LLC
Vonica Molock ’23 (LM), director, IT Strategy & Planning, Perdue Farms Inc.
Michael J. White EL 1 st Class (SM), assistant fire chief, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department
Jeremy Goldman ’22 (LM), executive director of business development, Choptank Electric Cooperative
Kirkland Murray ’22 (LM), president & CEO, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation

Leadership Maryland also extends its gratitude to former board members Mindy Lehman ’14
(LM), chief government relations & policy officer, Maryland Technology Development Corp.
(TEDCO); Rhea Harris, MBA, J.D. ’13, deputy chief – legislative affairs, Office of The Attorney
General; Dr. Patricia W. Simpson ‘19, former superintendent, Queen Anne’s County Public
Schools; Reggie Turner ’21, president, Turner Wealth Management; and Charles Gayle ’22
(LM), assistant United States attorney, United States Attorney’s Offices.

For more information about Leadership Maryland or program application information, please
visit www.leadershipmd.org or call 410-841-2101.

About Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland is a statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs
dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and
community leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s Executive Program selects as
many as 53 diverse and accomplished senior-level leaders from Maryland’s public and private
sectors each year to come together as a class for an eight-month learning program focused on
the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. And new in 2024, Leadership
Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program brings together a class of 30-40 of the state’s rising stars
and gives them the skills and tools they need to advance in their careers. With an alumni
network comprised of leaders from all industries and regions of the state, Leadership Maryland
has established thousands of Marylanders on their career leadership path, equipped with the
knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change. To learn more, please
visit leadershipmd.org.