Leadership Anne Arundel Announces 51 Member Flagship Class of 2027

 Leadership Anne Arundel has launched its 2026-2027 program year with 51 participants selected for its Flagship Class of 2027, bringing together professionals from nonprofit organizations, government, businesses and other sectors throughout Anne Arundel County.

The ten month Flagship program began with a two day opening retreat at Historic London Town & Gardens. Following the retreat, class members will participate in full day community knowledge sessions each month designed to deepen their understanding of Anne Arundel County while further developing their leadership skills and connections.

The program will explore Government, Economic Development, Cultural Arts, Education, Health & Human Services, Law & Public Safety, as well as Environment and Agriculture.

“The Flagship program is about building connections, fostering collaboration, and equipping leaders to create lasting impact across Anne Arundel County,” Leadership Anne Arundel President and CEO Kris Valerio Shock said. “We are thrilled to welcome such an impressive and diverse group of leaders into the Flagship Class of 2027. Each participant brings unique skills and perspectives that will strengthen not only their class experience but also the broader community.”

Leadership Anne Arundel described the new class as representing a cross-section of the county, with participants bringing a variety of professional backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

Among those selected is Report Annapolis News Publisher Timothy Boston, who recently completed Leadership Anne Arundel’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy as a member of the Class of 2026. Mr. Boston’s community involvement has included a particular connection to Annapolis’ Old Fourth Ward, while his work through Report Annapolis News has focused on communities and issues across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my journey with Leadership Anne Arundel as a member of the Flagship Class of 2027,” Mr. Boston said. “Completing the Neighborhood Leadership Academy Class of 2026 reinforced for me how much can be gained when people come together to listen, learn and better understand the communities around them.”

“My connection to the Old Fourth Ward will always be an important part of how I understand community, but service also requires us to look beyond the places most familiar to us,” Mr. Boston continued. “I look forward to learning from my classmates, building meaningful relationships and gaining an even deeper understanding of Anne Arundel County so that I can continue serving the community in thoughtful and meaningful ways.”

Participants in the Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship Class of 2027 include:

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

Kristina Alexander, Director of Operations, Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

Brittanny Aydelotte, Annual Giving Officer, Anne Arundel Community College Foundation

Tina Baker, Assistant Pastor, Kingdom Hope Ministry

Kaelynn Bedsworth, Development Outreach Director, Historic Annapolis, Inc.

Bridget Bloomer, Branch Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Library - Deale Library

Timothy Boston, Publisher, Report Annapolis News

Laura Buckley, Founder and CEO, Laura Buckley Coaching and Consulting, Inc.

Anisha Claggett, Health Communications and Outreach Strategist, Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Grace Cummings, Working with Congress, Retired

Nicole Dolan, Executive Director, Walk the Walk Foundation

Heather Ersts, Director of Destination Development, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

Gabby Fitzmaurice, Director, Donor Engagement & Events, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

D.J. Gile, U.S. Army (Retired), Independent Defense Consultant

Max Gross, Government Affairs Director, Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS®

Gillian Heckert-Mitchell, In-Kind Donation Officer, The Light House: A Homeless Prevention Support Center

Jen Hendrick, Principal Business Program Manager, Baltimore Gas and Electric

Maresa Henry, Director of Sales & Marketing, Ginger Cove

Adam Hertz, Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis, Chase Brexton Health Care

Chera Howey, Owner & Corporate Event Planner, Howey Event Consulting

Lea Jaspers, Community Schools Network Area Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Bethany Kerley, Donor Engagement, Grants and Events Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Library Foundation

Beth Kingston, Owner, Kingston Crafts

Kelly Koorey, Community Outreach Manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Mike Lardis, Senior Vice President, M&T Bank

Jan F. Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture & Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum

Ed Maccentelli, Director, Maryland Aviation Administration

Kelly Mackall, Director of Communications & Community Relations, Anne Arundel County Department of Aging & Disabilities

Kenneth McCants Pearsall, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Anne Arundel County

Vicki Meade, Professional Writer and Community Leader

Mark Molowa, Senior Director of Financial Planning, Wealth Insight Partners

Karen Nelson, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Maryland

Courtney Parfitt, CEO, Thrive Gym LLC

Xin Peng, Vice President of Finance, Live! Casino & Hotel

Kristine Pennington, Executive Director, The Y in Central Maryland / The Greater Annapolis Y in Arnold

Christy Prouty, Environmental Engineer, President, Community and Practice

Steve Puterski, Publisher, North County Pipeline

Gabby Reed, Director of Communications, Anne Arundel County Government, Office of the County Executive

Rebecca Schisler-Adams, Attorney, McKenna, Russo, Livingston, Burkett & Burgy, LLC

Sara Schriver, Police Major, Anne Arundel County Police Department

Richelle Simmons, Vice President, Program Technology & Business Solutions, AARP

Cody Skacan, Vice President of Strategy, Fello, Inc.

Rossio Smith, Hispanic Liaison, City of Annapolis

Erin Snell, Executive Director, Charting Careers, Inc.

Wes Stinchcomb, Director of Brand Activation, Contrast & Co.

Erin Valentine, Development and Communications Director, Scenic Rivers Land Trust

Amy Van Orden, Director of Operations, Partners in Care Maryland, Inc.

Matthew Wallace, Founder, Joy Grows

Nikki Weaver, Director of Community Services & Supports, Providence of Maryland

Shaina Wedington, Accounting Manager, Eagle Title

Victoria Zelefsky, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

Founded in 1993, Leadership Anne Arundel is a nonprofit leadership training and networking organization serving Anne Arundel County. Its mission is to provide people from diverse backgrounds with the education, resources and networks needed to become successful, proactive leaders.

Leadership Anne Arundel has nearly 2,000 graduates from its three core programs, with alumni serving in public, private and nonprofit leadership roles throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. For more information, visit: www.leadershipaa.org.