Leadership Southern Maryland Graduates 5th Class in 2013
Photo by Alex Clarke
Leadership Southern Maryland’s regional nine-month leadership program is building a network of informed leaders and continues to grow, this year graduating its fifth class of leaders.
Graduates honored this year are: Douglas Alves, Martina Arnold, Dawn Barrett, Carmen Belen, Amie Bothwell, Leland Bradshaw, Robin Burt, Rebekah Carmichael, Tania Dawson, John Felicitas, Anne Forrest, Glenn Frank, Rhiana Haney, Louis Hari, Charles Jackson, Gladys Jones, Holly Kellogg, Kristina Moore, Donna Nestor, Gregory Olson, Edward Otten, Christopher Oursler, Kory Raftery, Timothy Renz, Robert Schaller, Stephanie Simm, Jonathan Sola, Jacqueline Vaughn, Kenneth Waldrop, Lori Werrell, and Cheryl Wyatt.
“For the fifth year, the Leadership Southern Maryland program has brought together a group of individuals from various educational and professional backgrounds and created a strong, connected network of leaders who will apply the leadership skills they’ve gained in dynamic ways that will benefit both their respective communities and the region as a whole,” said LSM’s Executive Director Karen Holcomb.
The Class of 2013 engaged with a wide range of regional issues including energy and the environment, agriculture, housing and human services, public safety, economic and workforce development, education, technology and defense industry, community health and diversity.
Through workshops and behind-the-scenes visits to facilities in the region, the group gained a greater understanding of their community and learned of the need for leadership development and collaboration in a multitude of areas.
“I continue to be impressed by the great participants we find year after year,” said Matt Scassero, a Leadership Maryland graduate, founding board member, past president and member of LSM’s Leadership Council.
The ceremony featured guest speaker Eliot Pfanstiehl, CEO of The Strathmore and long-time facilitator of Leadership Maryland’s core program, who has become an integral part of the Leadership Southern Maryland program as well.
Mr. Scassero described Mr. Pfanstiehl as an engaging speaker and “a man with a wealth of knowledge about the state of Maryland.”
Mr. Pfanstiehl is there at the beginning of the program to talk to class members about how to get the most out of their experience and is there at commencement to ask them ‘What now?’ encouraging them to apply their leadership skills in their communities in a tangible way.
Bert Johnston, current president of LSM, said, “Eliot is just a remarkable fellow and a natural leader, able to get into your head in the most wonderful way.”
“I have been enlightened, educated and, at times, entertained. Now that I have experienced so much during this journey, I am forced out of my ‘bubble’ and compelled to do more within my community,” said Martina Arnold, Development Director at the College of Southern Maryland.
CPA and partner with Askey, Askey & Associates Glenn Frank stated, “The program opened my eyes to the prevailing cooperative spirit that strives to bring balance and reinforcement to our community’s values.”
“I am always amazed to find out how much I still don’t know about this region that has been my professional and personal home for over 17 years,” said Director of Health Connections at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Lori Werrell. “I learned something in every session that I can use in my work and gained a network of colleagues I hope to continue to be in contact with long after this experience is over.”
“LSM has equipped me with an abundance of knowledge, long lasting friendships, and a long list of things that I want to do to give back to the community,” stated Kristina Moore, Director of Human Resources for The Arc of Southern Maryland. “I will truly be thankful for all the laughs, all the tears, all the experiences, and the footprints made on my heart,” she added.
Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent, educational leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of mid to senior level public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the region. Leadership Southern Maryland is a not-for-profit organization.
