we've launched a podcast!

To put it mildly, 2020 hasn’t gone as we planned. In just a few short months, the pandemic has forced us all to reschedule, rearrange, and rethink almost every aspect of our lives and ways of doing business. However, with all the challenges this crisis has created, there have also been a few simple, yet pleasant surprises – including the gift of found time to explore new interests and projects.

For Leadership Maryland, our greatest challenge has been postponing our Class of 2020 until 2021. But, not having a class this year has also gifted us with time to really dig into our organization’s strategic plan and explore new ways to promote our driving strategies – two of which are “alumni engagement” and “thought leadership.” This week we are merging these two notions with the premiere of Engaging Leaders: A Leadership Maryland podcast, brought to you by BEACON at Salisbury University and BFG Financial Advisors.

Brought to fruition by lifetime members and past board chairs Eric Brotman ‘09 and Memo Diriker ‘12, this new podcast will highlight the incredibly talented members of our Leadership Maryland community as they converse with our hosts on their professional experiences and approaches to leadership in times of turmoil. Available online or on your preferred podcast streaming platform, a new episode of Engaging Leaders will release on the third Thursday of each month.

“My goal for this podcast is to reach an audience of decision-makers and general movers-and-shakers in Maryland and to highlight the diverse talents and backgrounds of our membership,” says series host Eric Brotman. “I hope listeners will come away with lessons shared by engaged leaders across the state which will be actionable, and as a result more connections will be made to enhance our communities, businesses, and non-profits.”

The first two episodes of Engaging Leaders are available now and feature candid conversations with lifetime members Freeman Hrabowski III ’93 and Jim Brady ’93.
“I can’t think of a better way to start a new podcast than by interviewing these two giants of the region,” says Eric. “Freeman Hrabowski is one of the most respected leaders in the country and has a unique perspective on both historical and current affairs. Jim Brady has experienced leadership challenges in turbulent times like few others and has worn many hats in the region – making an enormous difference in each organization he’s touched.”

Co-host Memo Diriker agrees. “These two giants have provided leadership in an incredible variety of fields. The breadth and depth of their thought leadership in Maryland makes them the ideal guests as we start our podcast journey.”
As our host, Eric is looking forward to lively and fun conversations that will be both informative and entertaining for listeners.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to interview some of the most influential and interesting people in Maryland, and I know that I’ll learn from each one of them,” he says. “I’m looking forward to challenging our guests to stretch out of their comfort zones much like members of the Leadership Maryland class do each year.”

You can listen to the first episodes of Engaging Leaders HERE. And check back on the third Thursday of each month for new episodes!

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