The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) graduated its fifth class last month at the Jameson-Harrison American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville, Md.
The 30-member Southern Maryland cohort completed a 6-month community leadership development program featuring monthly, full-day hands-on learning experiences that challenged participants to grow as communicators, collaborators, and community leaders. The group explored personal mastery, mentoring, coaching, networking, navigating change, interpersonal communication, and servant leadership. Their work culminated in a capstone service project with Christmas in April Calvert County.
The graduation ceremony featured a memorable speech by Class of 2026 member Kellie Smith, elected by the cohort to represent them.
In their closing session, participants considered key insights gained from their Emerging Leaders Program experience. Reflecting on her time in the class, Julie Smith, Events Manager at Melwood, Inc. shared, “There are not enough words that can express how valuable, instrumental, and life-changing this program and organization are.”
Graduates of the LSM Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2026 are:
From Calvert County –
- Renee Arnold, Sponsored Programs Coordinator, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
- Zanna Clayton, Settlement Officer, Eagle Title
- Emma Donaldson, Director of Waterfront and Parks, Town of North Beach
- Alan Hemming, Executive Director, Chesapeake Church
- Stesha Meade, Risk Management Audit and BSA Supervisor, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
- Kaci Ranly, Registered Nurse Clinical Supervisor, Hospice of the Chesapeake
- Kellie Smith, Director of Outpatient Rehab, CalvertHealth Medical Center
From Charles County –
- Kenjeray Bennett, In House Counsel, Blue Jay Property Management
- Brandon Caywood, Program Protection Security Manager, Chief Technology and Strategic Operations (CTSO) Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
- Billy Hennessy, Technical Account Executive, inDirectIT
- Anthony Johnson, Emergency Medical Technician, Charles County Department of Emergency Services
- Charles Miles IV, Civil Engineer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)
- Ndegwa Sanford, Contact Center Manager, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
- Cassandra Stillwell, Branch Manager AVP, Shore United Bank
From St. Mary’s County –
- Rebecca Burgess, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, CalvertHealth Medical Center
- Kenneth Carter, Assistant IT Manager, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
- David “Ryan” Gallagher, Project Manager, J.F. Taylor Inc.
- Heidi Hayes, Administrator, Camp Wigwam for Boys
- Ashley Hicks, Project Manager, KBR
- Ericka Hill, Jr. Financial Analyst, KBR
- Heidi Lybarger, HR Business Partner, Associate, The MIL Corporation
- Ashlee Pawlowski, Project Finance Supervisor, Precise Systems
- Richard “Bo” Plagge, Program Analyst, Eagle Systems, Inc.
- Emese Raschka , Office Manager & Financial Support Specialist, Patuxent Presbyterian Church
- Darah Schillinger, Community-Engaged Learning Coordinator, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Richard Jake Tarr, Program Manager, Transportation, Naval Systems, Inc.
- Natalie Wolfe, Mechanical and Project Engineer, The MIL Corporation
- From Anne Arundel County –
- Julie Smith, Events Manager, Melwood, Inc.
- CoraJo Tozzolo, Executive Assistant and Business Operations Specialist, Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort
- From Prince George’s County –
- Bruna Breen, Outreach Coordinator, Riversdale Historic Site & Museum, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is an independent community leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the Southern Maryland region.
LSM’s flagship Executive Program is an interactive and life-enriching nine-month, tuition-based “behind-the-scenes” experience designed to enhance the collaborative abilities of our region’s top senior professionals. LSM welcomes mid- to senior-level executives representing diverse geographic locations, industries, professions, and other backgrounds who are committed to addressing the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties
Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent community leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the Southern Maryland region.
Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN#26-2989381). Contributions are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.
For more information, please contact Sybol Anderson, Executive Director Leadership Southern Maryland, 301-862-SOMD, via email [email protected] or visit www.leadershipsomd.org.
