Testimonials

"The opportunity to be part of the Leadership Maryland program was one of the best experiences of my career. The program provided the space in which to network with peers from all over the state, and share stories and opinions to create insight and guidance for Maryland’s future. As a lifelong resident, I completed the program feeling really awesome about Maryland as a place to live, work and play!"
Kelly R. Groff, CDME, '19
President and CEO | Visit Montgomery
“To visit and touch every region of the state, and expand my knowledge of the issues that most impact each region was a rare opportunity that I believe only Leadership Maryland provides. How can I contribute to the solutions? It is now our charge to be the change we want to see."
Allyson T. Black ‘09
States Affairs Manager, Governmental and External Affairs  |  Baltimore Gas & Electric
“Although I’ve lived in Maryland my entire life, through Leadership Maryland I learned so much that I did not know about the unique challenges facing our state. My exposure to new content, not generally a part of my professional work, has deepened my understanding of how seemingly disconnected areas truly do connect. Perhaps most importantly, I have developed strong and lasting relationships with amazing leaders from across the state.  Friends and mentors from the Class of 2018 as well as other classes continue to inspire me to reach deeper to use my skills and resources to make a difference. It is truly an honor to be part of the LMD family.”
Kelly A. Robinson-Slagle, '18
Director of Economic Development |Charles County Government
“Leadership Maryland has been a marvelous experience meeting and working with the best of the best that Maryland has to offer. It is truly thrilling to be part of a leadership organization that continues to grow and fulfill its mission year after year. We have, and will continue, to impact the state of Maryland.”
Howard B. Miller, Esq. '93
Partner | Saul Ewing LLP aka Leadership Maryland's Godfather
“For anyone committed to making a difference in Maryland, the Leadership Maryland program is an extraordinary primer that opens up myriad opportunities for engagement, both on a local and a statewide basis. On a personal note, the discussions that took place during my Leadership Maryland year greatly heightened my interest in economic development and contributed significantly to my accepting an appointment to the position of Secretary of Business and
Economic Development in 1995.”
James T. Brady, ’93 (LM)
Managing Director, Mid-Atlantic  |  Ballantrae International, Ltd., Frederick
“Leadership Maryland is something I would not have missed.  It is more than learning about the state and the important issues we face. It is more than the personal relationships you build with your classmates — It is an opportunity to expand your own personal horizons and challenge yourself in ways you might never have imagined.”
Hon. David R. Craig, ‘03
Executive Director, Maryland World War I Centennial Commission
State of Maryland
“When you contact a Leadership Maryland graduate and identify yourself as a member, other priorities are put aside, and time is found to listen and help. LMD members are incredibly open to assisting fellow graduates, especially new members.”
Sharon R. Pinder ‘98
President & CEO  |  Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council
“Leadership Maryland gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with State officials at the highest level, to observe innovative approaches to various issues, and to learn from my classmates, all of which has combined to significantly aid me in the representation of my clients. Plus, it was fun!”
Wm. "Sandy" McAllister, Jr., Esq., Class of '94
Principal |McAllister, DeTar, Showalter & Walker LLC, Cambridge
“Too few Marylanders have the opportunity to appreciate the whole of Maryland – our strengths and challenges, our differences and points of commonality.  What's special about Leadership Maryland is that leaders have the opportunity to grapple with the issues facing the state – from the Eastern Shore to Greater Baltimore, from Maryland's D.C. suburbs to Western Maryland. Most important, participants build lasting relationships. My fellow Leadership Maryland classmates and I will always be family. Leadership Maryland is a special community of people who dare to care and serve.”
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, '93 (LM)
President  |  University of Maryland, Baltimore County
“Leadership Maryland provided the vehicle for me to get a realistic view of each region and to gain a better understanding of the issues, specific to each region. This experience negated many stereotypes I had. My views of each region changed immensely."
Tina G. Brown, ‘06
Caroline County Public Schools (retired)
"There were so many amazing aspects of my experience in Leadership Maryland. I’m sincerely grateful for the time I spent with my remarkable, diverse classmates; the robust relationships we built; and, the wealth of knowledge I gained from the program overall. Leadership Maryland truly captures the most vital elements of the state by teaching us about the issues affecting each unique region, while spurring solution-driven dialogue. There’s also the LMD magic that happens that triggers lifelong friendships, which is priceless."
Tammi L. Thomas, MBA '18 (LM)
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer | Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO)
“As a state, Maryland is extremely diverse politically, geographically, demographically, and economically. The needs across regions often only differ in scale. If everyone who makes decisions on behalf of the entire state of Maryland had the opportunity to visit all the regions to view firsthand and listen with an open mind to the issues, imagine the possibilities for expanded perspectives and conscientious leadership. Without a doubt, my participation in Leadership Maryland has made me a more informed, connected, and empathetic leader in my community."
Dr. Tara L. Sargent ‘11
Executive Director  |  Leadership Washington County
"Leadership Maryland provided me with the opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of the industries and regions of our state and how they work together. Most importantly, we met the people who work to make our state a better place as well as those who benefit from their skills and efforts. The connections and lifelong friends made through Leadership Maryland are invaluable and I am grateful to the LMD Board, staff and alumni who have committed themselves to this wonderful organization."
Eli J. Modlin '19 (LM)
Chief of Staff and Vice President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives| Salisbury University
“If not for Leadership Maryland, Leadership Southern Maryland would not exist. Because of Leadership Maryland and the connections made both within our respective classes and the collaboration with alumni, Leadership Southern Maryland was born in 2007.”
Thomas H. Jarboe '06
President  |  Kieyos, Lexington Park
“Having had the opportunity through my job to work with every county in Maryland, I admit I was skeptical about what I would learn through Leadership Maryland. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. Leadership Maryland gave me the opportunity to take what I knew about Maryland and see it through new and fresh perspectives; to learn about topics that were outside my area of expertise; and to have a better view of how those issues and topics transcended regions and impacted communities across Maryland. Not to mention the incredible friendships and connections that were made through that process. Perhaps most important was the time this program afforded me to reflect and introspect, and through that process to grow both professionally and personally.”
Heather M. Gramm, CEcD '17
Senior Director, Strategic Industries & Entrepreneurship Maryland Department of Commerce    
“We had classmates from every walk of life and corner of Maryland, and the varied perspectives refreshed and renewed my sense that while we can’t walk in someone else’s shoes, we can at least try to see the world from where they stand in those shoes. As a result, I have actively worked to enhance my experience with the professional teams on which I serve, to open my mind and listen to perspectives different than my own. I now seek diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and as a result, those teams are stronger.”
Eric D. Brotman, CFP, ’09 (LM)
President & Managing Principal  |  Brotman Financial Group, Timonium
“The four words that best describe Leadership Maryland to me are 'professional development, personal growth.' When I first joined Leadership Maryland, I was not able to succinctly summarize or describe the program, or even my expectations of it. What it took, and what became reinforced over the year-long session, was the opportunity to experience enlightenment and witness change. In life, we never know who will sit down next to us, be it accident or grand design, but I learned I would never get to know my classmates, to understand their perspectives and the routes they took that allowed our paths to cross, unless I took the time to listen to them, learn from them, grow with them, and then, truly appreciate them for the time we had together.  Empathy and understanding became respected characteristics in our year together, and we all became better listeners.”
Ralph W. “Buddy” Emerson, ’03 (LM)
Senior Vice President  |  M&T Bank, Baltimore
“Leadership Maryland gave me an invaluable and unforgettable experience; I learned a great deal about the state of Maryland and was fortunate to work with an incredible and dynamic group of accomplished leaders.  Originally from Venezuela, I learned deeply – not just about social and economic issues – but also cultural and other idiosyncratic tendencies in American society that are represented in my new home, the state of Maryland. I felt a warm sense of belonging with my classmates and made several life-long connections. I am forever grateful.”
Gloria Aparicio Blackwell, ‘13
Director of Community Engagement  |  University of Maryland, College Park
“Leadership Maryland offered an opportunity to establish statewide working relationships. I have been able to recruit my Leadership Maryland classmates to support legislative initiatives that we talked about during my program year. ”  
Hon. Adelaide C. Eckardt, Class of ‘01
Senator, District 37  |  Maryland State Senate, Cambridge
“My most vivid memories will be of my classmates. They made me think. I witnessed their emotions and felt my own. I think the secret of Leadership Maryland is the integration of information and emotion. The sessions moved from statistics to stories, from observation to participation, from passive to active. With little notice and no opportunity to opt out, we were moved from demographics and data to interaction and reflection.  And we experienced these sudden shifts and emotional responses individually and collectively.  The times were challenging and often uncomfortable, but the challenges and discomfort have added meaning to the experience.”
Dr. Jack R. Smith, '11
Superintendent  |  Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville
"Leadership Maryland was everything I hoped it would be and so much more! The people are what makes it so special.  The staff that facilitated all of the programs were wonderful and my classmates are amazing! The training provided learning opportunities that expanded my knowledge of the state, certainly, but also pushed me to reflect on myself, my role in my company, and my role in the greater community. This experience opened my eyes to so many great leaders that exist in every county and the extraordinary work they are doing. I’m inspired to want to be more involved and to give my time to some great initiatives. I am looking forward to seeing all of the great things my classmates continue to do. I wish every aspiring leader could have this opportunity!"
Patricia "Patty" Carper '21
Division Vice President |The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
"Leadership Maryland surrounds you with amazing classmates and thought-provoking leaders in many different settings throughout the State. You are regularly confronted with difficult, multi-faceted issues and taken well outside your comfort zone to discuss (and ultimately pursue) solutions. The immersive experience of Leadership Maryland broadens and deepens you as a leader, but more importantly as a human being, and the relationships you build will last a lifetime."
John J. Horner, Jr., MBA '21
Senior Vice President & COO | Easton Utilities