Dr. Sharon Gibbs Cooper, DHA Graduates from Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program
By PRESS OFFICER
Leadership Maryland
Easton, Md. (Dec. 2, 2025)—Leadership Maryland announced today that Dr. Sharon Gibbs Cooper, Senior Faculty Specialist at the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service and Research, has completed the Emerging Leader Program, the new professional development program targeting the rising stars within our state’s public, private, government, education and nonprofit sectors. Leadership Maryland honored Dr. Cooper, a resident of Laurel, and the entire Emerging Leader 2nd Class at its 32nd graduation ceremony held December 2 at the Westin Annapolis. Dr. Cooper is now a member of Leadership Maryland’s powerful alumni network, consisting of more than 1,600 esteemed leaders from all over the state.
Dr. Cooper was one of 37 individuals selected to complete the six-month hands-on learning program, consisting of monthly day-long sessions that included both interactive training led by a facilitator and panel discussions featuring leaders from across the state as guest speakers. The program’s curriculum offered a holistic approach to leadership development, designed to help each applicant increase their self-awareness and gain behaviors, skills, and tools to become more adaptive, inclusive, strategic, and impactful leaders.
“On behalf of our staff, board, and membership, I congratulate the Executive Program Class of 2025 and Emerging Leader 2nd Class on their incredible achievement,” said David Fike ’16 (LM), president and CEO, Leadership Maryland. “The graduates of both programs have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, and I am confident they will continue to drive meaningful change in their communities and across Maryland as part of our alumni network.”
The Emerging Leader Program is open to individuals who are advancing in their careers, are actively involved in their communities, and desire to become stronger leaders in both areas. 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 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 www.leadershipmd.org
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Leadership Maryland Announces 2026 Officers and Directors
By PRESS OFFICER
Leadership Maryland
MARYLAND (Dec. 10, 2025)—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 Unit, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Leah Gregg EL 1st 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 1st 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.
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 www.leadershipmd.org
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