The Program
Each year, 52 accomplished and diverse leaders from around the state are selected by a group of their peers to participate in a stimulating and thought-provoking eight-month educational program. The program is intense; the results are rich and rewarding. Class members converge monthly, April through November, in five different regions of the state for a series of two-day sessions. One day is focused on successful and replicable programs and meaningful places in the region while the other is focused on Maryland’s most current and vital issues, including education; economic development; health and human services; criminal justice; the environment; agriculture; and, multi-culturalism and diversity. At its core, Leadership Maryland is about the importance of leadership, differing opinions and perspectives, and relationships. For upcoming session dates, click here.

Orientation Retreat
The goal of the two-day orientation session is to foster interpersonal relationships among the members of the class; to begin to build a team that can work together and draw on each other’s talents and resources when confronted with community problems; and, to provide a framework within which to understand the complexities of leadership.
The goal of the two-day orientation session is to foster interpersonal relationships among the members of the class; to begin to build a team that can work together and draw on each other’s talents and resources when confronted with community problems; and, to provide a framework within which to understand the complexities of leadership.

Education
If we accept that education is the basis for a sound economy, what should students study and how do we know we are successful in teaching them? In this session, we travel to Southern Maryland and hear directly from educational leaders on the state of education today and how multi-disciplinary committees are working to move it forward. Class members also get to try their hand at the latest, innovative technology being taught in schools.
If we accept that education is the basis for a sound economy, what should students study and how do we know we are successful in teaching them? In this session, we travel to Southern Maryland and hear directly from educational leaders on the state of education today and how multi-disciplinary committees are working to move it forward. Class members also get to try their hand at the latest, innovative technology being taught in schools.

Health & Human Services
Addressing the needs of our most underserved communities has been called “one of the state’s greatest challenges.” In the Baltimore-based health and human services session, the class explores the impact of budget cuts, welfare reform, urban blight, and other socioeconomic issues, and the nonprofits that are helping combat these issues, such as the Center for Urban Families. We also explore the latest community health issues, and tour the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at University of Maryland Medicine.
Addressing the needs of our most underserved communities has been called “one of the state’s greatest challenges.” In the Baltimore-based health and human services session, the class explores the impact of budget cuts, welfare reform, urban blight, and other socioeconomic issues, and the nonprofits that are helping combat these issues, such as the Center for Urban Families. We also explore the latest community health issues, and tour the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at University of Maryland Medicine.

Criminal Justice
In one of the most intellectually and emotionally-challenging sessions, the class visits a correctional facility. Maryland has been on the cutting edge of criminal justice measures, implementing new and courageous solutions. The session includes an overview of the correctional system and facility, as well as leadership models and best practices from the warden and leaders from MDPSCS. Class members also have a chance to tour prison vocational programs, speak with people who are incarcerated, and explore issues related to the correction and prevention of criminal behavior.
In one of the most intellectually and emotionally-challenging sessions, the class visits a correctional facility. Maryland has been on the cutting edge of criminal justice measures, implementing new and courageous solutions. The session includes an overview of the correctional system and facility, as well as leadership models and best practices from the warden and leaders from MDPSCS. Class members also have a chance to tour prison vocational programs, speak with people who are incarcerated, and explore issues related to the correction and prevention of criminal behavior.

Environment
Maryland’s unique quality of life is in part due to the Chesapeake Bay, the mountains in Western Maryland, and other natural resources in our state. There must be a way to respond to the dilemma that requires us to choose between the economy and the environment. We spend this session cruising the waterways of the Eastern Shore with environmental experts. We learn about the poultry industry through visits to a chicken grower’s farm and a processing facility. Leadership models and the perspectives of scientists, business owners, developers, bureaucrats, farmers, and watermen are considered as we address the challenges of balancing business and the environment.
Maryland’s unique quality of life is in part due to the Chesapeake Bay, the mountains in Western Maryland, and other natural resources in our state. There must be a way to respond to the dilemma that requires us to choose between the economy and the environment. We spend this session cruising the waterways of the Eastern Shore with environmental experts. We learn about the poultry industry through visits to a chicken grower’s farm and a processing facility. Leadership models and the perspectives of scientists, business owners, developers, bureaucrats, farmers, and watermen are considered as we address the challenges of balancing business and the environment.

Multi-Culturalism & Diversity
In this session, class members participate in a series of self-selected sessions designed to meet the challenge of creating common vision in a diverse community, discovering ways to mobilize people of different cultures and languages, and coming to consensus in an increasingly multi-cultural nation. The class also hears first-hand accounts of living in a diverse Maryland from past Leadership Maryland graduates, tours museums and other culturally significant institutions, and attends a moving musical performance.
In this session, class members participate in a series of self-selected sessions designed to meet the challenge of creating common vision in a diverse community, discovering ways to mobilize people of different cultures and languages, and coming to consensus in an increasingly multi-cultural nation. The class also hears first-hand accounts of living in a diverse Maryland from past Leadership Maryland graduates, tours museums and other culturally significant institutions, and attends a moving musical performance.

Closing Retreat
In this one-day retreat, the class revisits program lessons and brainstorms future leadership initiatives they could launch. Leadership Maryland alumni reviews the many avenues of involvement available within the organization that are open to graduates and some of the innovative ways former classes have stayed in touch after graduation.
In this one-day retreat, the class revisits program lessons and brainstorms future leadership initiatives they could launch. Leadership Maryland alumni reviews the many avenues of involvement available within the organization that are open to graduates and some of the innovative ways former classes have stayed in touch after graduation.
Value & Benefits
Network
Leadership Maryland members enjoy personal access to more than 1,200 top level leaders in Maryland's public, private, education, government, and nonprofit sectors. No other membership includes such a diverse, statewide group of talented leaders. When a member calls another for help or guidance, time is put aside to talk, listen, offer advice, open doors, extend your network, collaborate on projects and business, make introductions. All members in good standing receive a directory of members annually, and have access to the searchable database in the members-only section of this website. |
Member Events
Annual member events include the Federal Reserve Update on the Economy; A Day in Annapolis: The Dynamics of Leadership; and, the December Celebration of Leadership, otherwise known as the annual graduation. There are also regional events, special series, and class reunions happening throughout the year. Members are encouraged to identify and propose events, including facility tours, panel discussions or speakers. If a proposed event includes an educational component, Leadership Maryland provides a subsidy to help defray the cost. |
“In the end, it’s the element of trust that Leadership Maryland offers… as a gift: to allow us to learn more about ourselves, and to realize the connectedness of all things. Leadership Maryland gave us the experiences, the role models and a circle of friends to trust as we go about the essential work of leaders, which is, helping others.”
Lisa Hillman ‘06
Upcoming Events |
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