We made it to May. Together. As I pause for just a moment, looking back on the month of April in these strange, surreal times, I am overwhelmed with admiration and gratitude for the community leaders rising to meet the challenges of each day.

Shifting between the global picture and our local response, one thing is clear: We are the leaders we've been waiting for. Never has it been more important to start where you are, use what you have and do what you can. Each and every day we are called to show up, connect and serve.

Last month, I shared just a few examples of LAA alumni rising to meet the the early challenges. As I attempted to do the same this month, it was dizzying. LAA leaders are simply everywhere in the COVID-19 response: healthcare, food distribution, emergency management, education, economic development and finance... to name a few would inadvertently leave out so many.

Just a glance at the LAA Board roster or current Flagship and NLA class lists and you will see leaders at every level, leading our key institutions and developing grassroots initiatives on the fly. They are at the frontlines of healthcare, education and food delivery and helping small businesses get PPP funds, and they are getting chrome books and art supplies in the hands of kids who otherwise wouldn't have access.

Great News: We are currently accepting nominations for the Distinguished Graduate Award! The purpose of this award is to recognize exceptional Leadership Anne Arundel graduates. Recipients are individuals who have adopted “the heart of community trusteeship” and have made significant and notable contributions for the betterment of our community. Click here to learn more and submit a nomination today.

LAA is proud to serve these leaders in this unique moment, providing visibility, resources and connections for immediate relief initiatives. We will also be there in the months to come. Celebrating the 2020 graduating classes and welcoming a new Flagship class in September. In between, we will offer valuable training and connections to help local leaders access all of the resources available to see our community through these challenging times.

For instance, last month we welcomed Captain Rick Rubel for the first ever Conversations on Leadership with Griff Hall program. Rick led an interactive and highly valuable three hour virtual conference on Ethical Leadership. We dove into challenging conversations around morals and character. The top take away seemed to be the concept of intentional moral fitness: "Be mindful and ready when ethics issues arise as they come quickly. Unless you are thinking about them and aware, the wrong decision may be made."

This month's Leadership Speaker Series - You're IT: Leading Through Coronavirus and Beyond, scheduled for Thursday May 21st - offers an insightful and practical talk on leading in times of crisis with Harvard-affiliated Author, Speaker and Educator, Eric McNulty.

And in these swiftly changing times, we've refocused the monthly LAA101 meetings to focus on our community's evolving initiatives and needs. We invite leaders to hop on and share volunteer opportunities and the community at large to join in to learn how to get involved. 

Finally, this month we'll be coming down the home stretch accepting applications for the Flagship Class of 2021. The deadline to apply is May 31st.

We can't predict exactly what the limitations may be in terms of social distancing in the fall, but we know for certain that leadership doesn't stop. We have proven with current Flagship and NLA classes that we can and will continue to deliver our mission virtually when needed, and we are currently drafting parallel program plans for in-person and virtual sessions to provide interactive, immersive, behind the scenes experiences for the 2021 class. We also know the Class of 2021 will have a most unique year, building relationships and sharing a deep dive into our community opportunities and challenges in these unprecedented times. We hope you will consider investing in the Flagship 2021 class by applying to participate in the class, sponsoring a Flagship session or donating to the Flagship scholarship fund.

After all, we are the leaders we've been waiting for.

I had the good fortune to study under Maravene Leoschke as an undergrad student in the Theater Department at Towson University. I learned a great deal about the theater and acting from Maravene; but I learned more about leadership. And even more about being a female leader. So much of what I learned from Maravene in those days took me years to fully realize.

As luck would have it, I had the opportunity to introduce Maravene at a Signature Breakfast with the BWI Business Partnership after she had returned to Towson as President of the University (pictured at right). It was one of the single greatest honors of my professional career, to introduce my good friend and mentor to a ballroom full of business leaders.

Sadly, shortly after that event, Maravene became ill and passed away very early in her tenure as President. The above quote was shared by the University in tribute to her following her passing. Even several years after her death, I can hear her voice in this quote and I find it deeply inspiring. 

I pondered over this quote as I was in the interview process for my current role with Leadership Anne Arundel and as I read it again today, I feel strongly that it speaks to the heart of the present opportunity with LAA.

How are you going to make positive change in your professions, your families, your communities, the state, the country and the world?

Leadership Anne Arundel is not a program. Or a class. While LAA Alumni have been through a LAA program and are members of a particular class, the real opportunity far exceeds a specific experience. Leadership Anne Arundel is a powerful network that holds within it the connections, pathways and thought leadership to make real, positive change in our community. 

This uncertain world needs you, your leadership, your passion, your vision and your commitment.

These days, we are all pulled in a million directions. Capacity is a challenge. But our uncertain world needs good leadership more than ever. The LAA opportunity is not about a date on your calendar, it's about contributing your leadership, passion, vision and commitment to benefit your local community, as you are able, on any given day.

Our job as an organization is to make it easier for you to engage at the speed of life; to enable you to have the impact you want to have.

LAA sits at the intersection of professional, personal and community development. The new online community expedites connecting with 1400+ alumni, sharing your thought leadership and joining the conversation. LAA is an increasingly nimble organization focused on delivering value to our members, alumni and the community at large.  We're here to help you make the positive impact you want to make. And then to share it and celebrate it.

Ask yourself how the world will be better because of you.  Then tell us how we can help.

LAA | 2020 Vision

A New Year

A New Decade

A New Generation of Leadership

A year ago, I was inspired to apply for this role because I see vast, untapped potential in the LAA Community. I believe we have barely scratched the surface of what we can create together by harnessing the collective thought leadership, insight and experience of individuals who choose to live and work in Anne Arundel County. 

Last June we celebrated our 25^th Anniversary as an organization. There is much to be proud of in our first 25 years, representing nearly a generation of local leaders. There is even more opportunity in the next 25 years as leadership challenges grow more complex with the advancement of technology and the always accelerating pace of life.

So, here’s my take on the Why, Who, What and How of LAA 2020:

The WHY

Good leaders don’t just happen.

Good leadership (not to mention great leadership) requires inspiring, nurturing, developing, mentoring, supporting, reflecting, connecting and engaging.

That’s what we do.

Together we ask:

What is needed?

What makes leading today different from leading 10 or 20 years ago?

What remains constant? In general – and for you personally?

What are incremental changes that need to be made to advance our community?

How can we get there, together?

The WHO

LAA – the COMMUNITY 

LAA is at the intersection of personal, professional and community leadership.
LAA is a community of dedicated leaders at all phases of development.
LAA is the Alumni, Board of Directors, Committee Members and Membership at large.

With more than 1400 alumni over more than 25 years of programming, participation among the community will naturally ebb and flow. I like to think of this as “Seasons of Engagement.” The challenge is to stay connected across the ebb and flow of capacity; to toggle up and down as time permits; to roll with change; to revisit; to reinvent. To reach back to the most successful and influential leaders among us and draw from their experience to benefit the community overall.

·      If you are seeking support to get to that next place in your development, it is here.

·      If you have come to a place in your journey where you have something to give back – give here.

·      If you are somewhere in between, join us. Engage. Share your perspective, your challenges and your vision of leadership.

In the LAA Community, the rising tide truly lifts all boats. This is your community. It’s always the right time to reengage – whatever your season of engagement and to whatever degree your capacity permits.

THE WHAT

LAA – the ORGANIZATION

As an ORGANIZATION, our job is to make it easy for you to engage.

To facilitate.
To respect your capacity.
To provide the structure and the tools. 

In the eight months since I came onboard in this role, with the support of the LAA Board, we have worked to implement a community platform to provide the structure and tools needed to facilitate member engagement. Lots of tools are already setup and ready to roll and much more can be developed based on member interest and engagement.

THE HOW

·      Invest in Membership – Membership sustains the structure

·      Contribute Content – Update your profile, Join Discussion Forums, Post in the Community, Join Interest Groups (Tip – download the mobile app. Click here to learn more.)

·      Volunteer – Join a Program Committee, the Alumni Forum or the Women’s Executive Forum. Together we are developing relevant programs that tackle ongoing leadership challenges.

·      Show Up – Join us for upcoming events (bring a friend)

As we embark on a new decade, let’s build the central hub for leadership inspiration, development and connection in Anne Arundel County TOGETHER.

Looking forward,

Kris

Kris Valerio Shock
President & CEO
Leadership Anne Arundel
Flagship ‘06