Leadership Anne Arundel to Celebrate Community Changemakers at 2026 Tribute and Graduation Ceremony

For one evening each year, a room fills with many of the people helping shape the future of Anne Arundel County nonprofit executives, business leaders, public officials, educators, community advocates, and changemakers connected by a shared commitment to leadership and service.

That gathering returns on Monday, June 22, 2026, when Leadership Anne Arundel hosts its annual Tribute to Community Leadership and Graduation from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel. Advanced registration is required and organizers note that registration will not be available at the door. Registration closes June 15.

For details on how to register and other event information, click here. 

The signature event celebrates the collaboration, innovation, and community impact of nearly 2,000 Leadership Anne Arundel graduates who have completed the organization’s leadership development programs since its founding in 1993. Organizers describe the annual gathering as a unifying event where personal, professional, and community leadership intersect, bringing together leaders from the business, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors.

A centerpiece of the evening will be the graduation of the current Flagship Leadership Program and Neighborhood Leadership Academy classes, welcoming a new group of community leaders into Leadership Anne Arundel’s growing alumni network.

The event will also recognize recipients of two of the organization’s highest honors, the Excellence in Leadership Award and the Distinguished Graduate Award, celebrating individuals whose leadership, vision, and commitment have made a meaningful difference throughout Anne Arundel County.

Beyond the awards and graduation ceremony, the gathering provides an opportunity for alumni and community partners to reconnect with classmates, forge new relationships, and strengthen collaborations that continue to drive positive change across the county.

Leadership Anne Arundel’s mission is to provide individuals from diverse backgrounds with the education, resources, and networks needed to become effective and proactive leaders. Through leadership training, community engagement, networking opportunities, and educational programming, the nonprofit seeks to inspire residents to become active participants in shaping the future of their communities.

"Leadership is often measured by titles, but this program has shown that some of the most influential leaders in Anne Arundel County are the people quietly building stronger neighborhoods, advocating for the disenfranchised, supporting local organizations, and helping to create meaningful opportunities for others," said Timothy Boston, Founder of Report Annapolis News and a member of the 2026 Neighborhood Leadership Academy graduating class. "I look forward to celebrating with the nearly 2,000 Leadership Anne Arundel alumni whose commitment to service continues to strengthen our county."

As Anne Arundel County continues to grow and evolve, the annual tribute serves as both a celebration of achievement and a reminder that impactful leadership is built through relationships, collaboration, and a commitment to serving others, qualities that have defined Leadership Anne Arundel and its graduates for more than three decades.