Class News - Member Updates - Announcements

December, 2023

Erika Chavarria, Executive Director, Columbia Community Cares (CCC), inspired our Members as she shared CCC's story of evolution - from how and when CCC came to be, how it has grown, and what is on the horizon for this organization that is dedicated to connecting people, resources, and opportunities. Members contributed needed items for CCC, which collects and distributes items throughout the year. If you missed this gathering but still want to lend your support, please visit CCC's website for details!

Congratulations to the Leadership U Class of 2023. Graduates took the stage on December 6 to present their student-led service projects which tackled the following issues - drug misuse, transportation, healthcare appreciation, families impacted by poverty, the environment, underprivileged youth, and resources for college prep.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped support this year's program, especially our LU Mentors (pictured l-r) Ralph Massella, LP '02, Jim DeCarlo, Anne Santos, LP '17, Dawn Weglein, LP '14, Diane Freedman, Taylor Kimble, LU '08, and Alli Eastham. Not pictured - Jimmy DiPietro.

Interested in Leadership U 2024? Mark your calendar for the first Information Session scheduled for Tuesday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Details will be announced soon. Please contact Emily McCoy Bish, Program Coordinator for more information.

Leadership Essentials 2024 kicked off last week with Foundations, an in-person session designed for the cohort to get to know each other and explore concepts of leadership. This session was followed by a one-on-one virtual Coach Orientation for participants to meet with their leadership coach.

The program is excited to welcome the following 30 dynamic leaders: Sharniece Adams, Merriweather Arts & Culture Center; Grace Anastasiadis, Howard Community College; Nicole Anderson, TEKsystems; Tanika Ballista, Columbia Association; John Bodine, JHU Applied Physics Lab, Nicole Brooks, BGE; Mable Buchanan, Enterprise Community Loan Fund; John DiFato, Howard County Public School System; Lauren Dunnigan, COPT Defense Properties; Melissa Guercio, Humanim; Houston Harreld, M&T Bank; Nakesha Hill, Athelas Institute; Alexander Hosseini, Loyola University Maryland Sellinger School of Business; Jennifer Jones, CRISP Shared Services; Kali Jordan, Gbanwee; Michael Kelly, JHU Applied Physics Lab; Nicholas Knowlton, JHU Applied Physics Lab; Matthew Kurlanski, Enterprise Community Partners; Joanna Lake, Community Action Council of Howard County; Taneisha Laume, CRISP; Meaghan McClure, Howard County Chamber of Commerce; Alexandros Pappas, COPT Defense Properties; Latrice Price, Infinite Legacy; Jonathan Rojas, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center; Margery Sayers, COPT Defense Properties; Taylor Simon, KCI Technologies, Inc.; Robin Stimson, Columbia Association; Robert Walker, The Arc of Howard County; Michael Werling, Community Action Council of Howard County; April Willis, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.

___________________

Leadership Essentials is a six-month leadership development program that runs from December 2023 to June 2024. Instituted by Leadership Howard County, Leadership Essentials is managed by Loyola University Maryland’s ASPIRE Center for Continuing Education. Members of the 2024 cohort will participate in leadership skill-building sessions, one-on-one coaching, and a team Community Impact Project to support a local nonprofit. For more information, please contact Katherine Keefe.

Condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Knobel Family (Dara Knobel, LP '15), on the recent passing of Seth Knobel, LP '17.

__________________

Congratulations to the following grads on their recent career news:

Megan Eaves, LP '18, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at OneSource Restoration.

Maureen Harris, LP '15, has joined the United Way of Central Maryland as Vice President of Major Gifts.

Anne Johnson, LP '00, has been named Executive Director of the HCC Education Foundation.

Members of LP 2018 recently came out to assist the Community Action Council with their Adopt A Family project; (pictured l-r Steven Shane, Scott Armiger, David Koonce, Mary Jordan, Jackie Breeden, Lanlan Xu, Jess Feldmark, Tracy Locke Kitt, Hye Yeong Kwon, Sue Sollers, Tomiwa Aroyewun, and Scott Osborne).

Lunching with LP 2022; (pictured l-r Lance Johnson, Dan Flynn, Raul Delerme, and Stephen Luttrell).

LHC's next recruitment event for LP 2025 will take place on Friday, January 19 from 9 to 10 a.m. at The 3rd. Join LHC and Kimberly Prescott, LP '18, Board Member, and Principal, Prescott HR to learn more about the ever-changing world of human resources. Share this info with others as you connect over the holidays! Contact Tim Payne to learn more!

The Howard County Welcome Center's exhibit, "Santa Heim, Merryland", explores the history of Savage Mill's brief time as a Christmas village. Read more ...

Ohana HC is seeking an Executive Director to lead their unique mentorship program for young people in Howard County. Click here to learn more.

Save the Date for the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's Women's Leadership Conference - March 1, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early Bird pricing ends December 18 - click here for details!

UMBC's Choice Program is seeking a variety of internships during spring break (March 25 - April 1, 2024) from partners in the community, i.e. small businesses, companies, restaurants, and offices to support youth at risk of perpetuating the cycle of the "School to Prison Pipeline". Learn more ...

Save the date - Monday, January 15, 2024 for MLK's Day of Service. More details will be shared at the beginning of the new year about a variety of opportunities to do for others in conjunction with activities being planned by Howard County's Office of Human Rights & Equity.

May everyone enjoy a warm and wonderful holiday season!