Leadership Howard County, which seeks to empower leaders to strengthen and transform the community, announced the graduation of its Leadership Premier class of 2023, which consists of 38 professionals from the county’s businesses and nonprofit organizations. Leadership Premier is an exploration of the Howard County community, during which participants meet with local businesses and leaders and learn about issues in the county.
The graduates of the class of 2023 are:
- Adam Ababiya, Sequoia Senior Care LLC
- Arifa Ahmed, community volunteer
- Ciera Barnes, National Security Agency
- David Beares, 39 Minute Workout
- Amah Binde, Howard County Department of Public Works
- Jennifer Blondo, Key Process Partners
- Lakey Boyd, Howard Community College
- Jasmine Brewer, MakingChange Inc.
- Heather Chapman, United Way of Central Maryland Inc.
- James Clark, State Farm Insurance
- Katie Dean, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
- Alicyn DelZoppo, Northrop Realty
- Theresa Forgét, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
- Rashida George, The Howard Hughes Corporation
- Shané Gooding, Imiivo Photo Studios LLC
- Michael Gough, APL (Applied Physics Lab) Federal Credit Union
- Kia Hodge, Enterprise Community Partners
- Andrew Masters, United Way of Central Maryland Inc.
- Claire Matheny, Kittamaqundi Community Church
- Cheryl Mattis, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services
- Christopher Miles, Shore United Bank
- Megan Myers, Howard Community College
- Elizabeth Ndungu, Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine
- Maria Cristina Oviedo, Dragon Digital Radio/Howard Community College
- Russell Pangburn, community volunteer
- Jimmy Patel, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Rakesh Pillai, W.R. Grace
- Tracy Pugh, community volunteer
- Ryan Rager, M&T Bank
- Deborah Rivkin, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Regina Sanderoff, Baltimore Gas & Electric
- Vera Simmons, Blossoms of Hope
- David Smith, LightGrid LLC
- Alexander Sutherland, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
- Marché Taylor Templeton, Baltimore Gas & Electric
- Robert Tirocchi, Harkins Builders Inc.
- Jennifer Van Kirk, Bright Minds Foundation
- Jason Whong, Whong Community Media LLC – The Business Monthly
“Each participant in the Leadership Premier class of 2023 has shared their special blend of curiosity and thoughtfulness with our program, consistently bringing bold ideas to the experience which add value to Leadership Howard County and the community as a whole,” said Tim Payne, president and CEO of Leadership Howard County. “In building bridges, literally and figuratively, they forged relationships that we believe will enable their own personal growth as they take their place in our county, and we are thrilled to work together to strengthen our community.”
The Leadership Premier program was launched in 1985 to develop capable, well-informed individuals committed to devoting their time and resources for community improvement. Since then, more than 1,485 individuals have graduated from the program that addresses countywide issues in monthly, daylong sessions where participants meet with leaders in business, government and community services.
Leadership Howard County provides innovative programs designed to empower and connect community leaders and keep them engaged in the critical issues facing Howard County and the region. Drawn from private businesses, nonprofits and the public sector, Leadership Howard County participants share a common interest in learning more about their community and a commitment to making a positive impact. (www.leadershiphc.org)
