Leadership Anne Arundel Hosts 2026 New Leaders Celebration Breakfast in Annapolis

Leadership Anne Arundel recently hosted the 2026 New Leaders Celebration Breakfast at Carrol’s Creek Café in Annapolis, bringing together leaders from business, nonprofit, arts, education, health, and government sectors to recognize individuals who have recently stepped into impactful leadership roles across Anne Arundel County.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Monica Rausa, Board Chair of Leadership Anne Arundel, followed by recognition of sustaining sponsors. A ceremonial tie-cutting was then held honoring Carrol’s Creek Café and owner Jeff Jacobs, led by Leadership Anne Arundel President & CEO Kris Valerio Shock.

The event continued with the introduction of the 2026 New Leader Honorees and remarks from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Annapolis Mayor Jared Littmann.

The celebration concluded with congratulations extended to all honorees, along with an invitation to the upcoming June 22 Tribute to Community Leadership & Graduation. Organizers also expressed appreciation to event sponsors, including Host Sponsor Carrol’s Creek Café and Event Sponsors MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services and Annapolis City Marina, for their support in making the celebration a success.

To view more photos from the event, click here. 

The 2026 Leadership Anne Arundel New Leader Honorees included:

Lindsay Alemi, Director of Community Programs and Outreach, Anne Arundel County Food Bank

Janice Elaine Allsup-Johnson, Alderwoman, Annapolis Ward 4

David Alt, Executive Director, The Light House, Inc.

Amy Berry (FLG25), President & CEO, Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce

Erica Bondarev Rapach, Executive Director, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Diesha Contee (NLA23), Alderwoman, Annapolis City Council

Kristin DeMarco, Executive Director, Historic London Town and Gardens

Neilye Garrity (FLG25), Chief of Staff, City of Annapolis

Shannon Gilligan, President, Archbishop Spalding High School

Shannetta Griffin, P.E., Executive Director & CEO, Maryland Aviation Administration

Kelsea Guckin, Director of Development, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts

John Hackworth, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, U.S. Naval Academy

Chikondi Kulemeka, Chief Operating Officer, TCP Youth Empowerment

Michelle Lee, Chief Financial Officer, Luminis Health

Jared Littmann, Mayor, City of Annapolis

Catherine Maloney, President & Chief Operating Officer, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

Kenneth McCants-Pearsall, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

Vollie Melson (FLG16), Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Anne Arundel Community College

Amy Miguez, Acting Police Chief, Annapolis Police Department

Tiyana Parker (NLA21), Ombudsman and Constituent Services Officer, City of Annapolis Government

Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates

John Rodenhausen, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County

Cody Skacan, Vice President of Strategy, Fello

Keanuú Smith-Brown, Alderman, Annapolis Ward 3

Frank Thorp, Alderman, Annapolis Ward 8

Christine Wilson (FLG07), Executive Director, Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation

For more information about Leadership Anne Arundel, visit www.leadershipaa.org.

About Leadership Anne Arundel:

Founded in 1993, Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and the premier leadership training and networking institute in Anne Arundel County. LAA’s mission is to provide people of diverse backgrounds with the education, resources, and networks necessary to become successful, proactive leaders. LAA has more than 1,800 graduates from its three core programs, serving in leadership roles across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors throughout the Baltimore, Washington metropolitan area.