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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Friday, April 28, 2023
Updated: Friday, April 28, 2023
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By Kris Valerio Shock, President & CEO, Leadership Anne Arundel
 It's happening - the seeds we've planted over the last couple of years are bursting forth with exciting new offerings. LAA Alumni are creating new events to benefit our more than 1600 graduates.
This is the way it's supposed to work. Rising leaders go through one or both of our programs and then bring their leadership and ideas to the table to benefit the broader leadership community. The rising tide raises all boats. (See what I did there?)
LAA Alumni are an endless resource of ideas and thought leadership to move our community forward. The LAA structure provides the support needed to make Alumni ideas a reality.
Over the next month, you have the opportunity to participate in three entirely different events: All Member-Driven, created by and for LAA Alumni and available to the broader leadership community. Skill building, coffee connecting or grappling with our community's toughest issues - over the next month LAA Alumni events offer something for everyone.
FLG21 Ellen Shiery's Golf Clinic (for women who don't golf) is the very model of an ideal alumni driven event. Ellen found herself in a conundrum. She needed a few players to round out a charity golf foursome and all of the female colleagues she reached out to were reluctant because they didn't feel confident in the game. This inspired Ellen to round up a golf pro and a formula for a golf clinic event to provide women leaders an opportunity to get the foundation they need to say YES to the charity golf events (and all of the connections that take place on the greens). Ellen brought the idea, the connection to the golf pro and the sponsorship (thanks Merrill!) to the party and LAA provided the logistical support to make it happen. The first date was sold out in 24 hours - so a second date is scheduled for May 10th! Click here for details.
FLG20/LAA Board Member Kristi Krankowski loved the pre-covid model for LAA101 - casual connecting over coffee with local leaders. Since we had to shift to a virtual event for the 101 due to covid, it's become more of an online training to get the scoop on making the most of the LAA Community Platform. So, Kristi conspired with FLG22 Lindley Bucci to create "Leadership and Lattes“, a casual connecting opportunity for community leaders and 20 people have already signed up for the first one on May 5th. InGrano won't know what hit them! Click here to learn more and consider hosting the next Leadership and Lattes!
 What about the tough issues facing community leaders? For several months Opioids have been a subject of discussion at Alumni Events Committee meetings. We knew we wanted to bring together community leaders to discuss the challenge in our county, but it took FLG22 Lindley Bucci's participation on the committee along with FLG22 Danny Watkins leadership with the recent FLG23 Health and Human Services Day panel on addiction and recovery plus co-chair FLG20/LAA Board Member Kim Curry's leadership driving momentum forward to bring all of the pieces together for the upcoming Community Leadership Roundtable: Opioid Crossroads - Moving Forward. The June 1st event will feature legal, crisis response and treatment professionals moderated by FLG22 Tonii Gedin, Acting Arundel County Health Officer, on how the county and private organizations are supporting communities impacted by opioids. Click here for more.
This is how it works. LAA Alumni bring the ideas, the connections and the sponsorship and LAA provides the operational support to lighten the lift and bring the pieces together to benefit the broader leadership community.
If you have an idea to benefit the LAA community, drop it in the chat below or contact me today and let's get it rolling through the LAA Alumni Events machine.
Tags:
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
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by President & CEO, Kris Valerio Shock
 "The promise of spring's arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter."
-Jen Selinsky
“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”
- Harriet Ann Jacobs
Who couldn’t use a few optimistic springtime quotes?
As Colin Powell stated: “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
No matter the challenges we face – global, local and everything in between – it is the responsibility of community leaders to inspire optimism.
Feeling a quart low on your optimism?
This article explains why leaders who actively choose an optimistic approach are much more likely to lead adaptive, successful and innovative organizations and practical things you can do to help increase your optimism.
Another practical approach to increasing your optimism, is surrounding yourself with leaders who positively impact our community. That’s where LAA can help.
Emerging from a long cold winter, we look forward to a whole new season of opportunity. Flagship and Neighborhood Leadership Academy relationships planted in fall and winter months will blossom into lifelong connections.
We invite the LAA community at large to join the Flagship class in their Environment Day exploration with a Flagship Talk on Hope and Resilience for the Chesapeake Bay led by Kate Fritz, CEO, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay on Wednesday, April 20th at Homestead Gardens.
And we look forward to celebrating a robust roster of New Leader Honorees together at the 2022 New Leaders Celebration Breakfast at Carroll’s Creek Café on April 27th. (Stay tuned for an announcement featuring the 2022 Honorees!)
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.”
-Susan J. Bissonette
I hope you’ll join the LAA community as we welcome the new season, together!
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Friday, March 19, 2021
Updated: Friday, March 19, 2021
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 On March 12, 2020, the Flagship Class of 2020 visited the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management Command Center as part of their Law & Public Safety Day. They toured the dispatch center where emergency management stakeholders gather in case of an emergency.
Within a couple of days, the community witnessed briefings by the County Executive from that very location as we embarked on this year-long COVID-19 crisis. We had no idea how deep and how long the crisis would run. We began day by day to pivot and adapt, committed to flattening the curve. We masked and distanced and washed hands. Spring turned to summer, then to fall, then to winter. Four seasons of COVID-19. Flagship and NLA 2020 classes graduated virtually and Flagship and NLA 2021 classes embarked on their unique program experiences. Many LAA graduates have spent the year on the front lines of pandemic response.
Much has been threatened or lost. Loved ones, livelihoods and lifestyles. Simple pleasures we took for granted. And yet much has survived and even thrived in this unprecedented year of challenge. New simple pleasures discovered. Now, a new spring is upon us. As we thaw from winter, and vaccinations pick up their pace, we eagerly spring forward to recover and reconnect, safely in-person, as we are able.
LAA programs have begun to return to at least partial in-person sessions and look to wrap up our program years with full in-person days (if possible). We are cautious and tentative (we'll see how it goes), continuing to take temperatures and mask and wash hands.
We must find ways to connect again in-person. And yet we're all a bit rusty. (Remind me, how does one dress for in-person meetings again? How much time do we need to leave for travel beyond our home-office or living room? How will my dog survive at home alone all day?)
A few phrases and ideas stay front of mind. The first, a quote from Sara Bareilles: "I know you miss the world, the one you knew, the one where everything made sense." Orpheus - Sara Bareilles
Yet we were cautioned against trying to return to a "normal" that no longer exists and acknowledged together that "people are out of surge capacity".
We discussed digging into what we want to remember from this current situation, before chasing the life we used to know. What have we learned? What can we take from this year of struggle to build back better?
Andrew closed with an African Proverb, one of my favorite sayings, and one that is truly apropos with the LAA experience: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
As the snow to melts from the daffodils, I look forward moving forward with the LAA Community, beyond the COVID crisis. We have a great many opportunities to “go together” in the coming weeks. To join us, in-person and online, follow us on Facebook and check out the Community Calendar.
What are you most looking forward to as we gently #springforward together?
Tags:
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2020
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 "Are we there yet?"
I remember incentives to stop asking that question as a small person on long family road trips. Anyone else feeling the weight of this extended journey of disruption?
This is your safe space. Leaders need other leaders. For inspiration and encouragement. For the reminder that we're in this together and we're in it for the long haul.
I love how Simon Sinek puts it (at left). For a dose of inspiration, click here and check out a quick video from Simon explaining how important it is to lean on each other when the going gets tough.
Then, think back to your LAA program experience and take a moment to reach out to a classmate you haven't spoken with in a while. Ask them how they're managing in these tumultuous times.
You just might get that little jolt of inspiration you need to make it around the bend. @simonsinek #togetherisbetter
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Monday, September 21, 2020
Updated: Monday, September 21, 2020
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I am beyond proud to share that on September 8th the Flagship 21 class kicked off their program year with the Opening Retreat at London Town. The full roster of the flagship class is available here and photos from the Opening Retreat are captured here.
For weeks prior to the retreat, we had individual and group conversations managing expectations around what the Flagship 21 year would look like. Would it be all virtual? Could we meet in-person safely? Will the 2021 class get the same value we've come to expect from the Flagship experience?
It is a known concept that good leaders must be able to adapt in times of challenge. The Flagship 2021 class is putting that concept to the test in a true case study on adaptability. Our hybrid approach to session planning is to provide safe, in-person opportunities whenever possible coupled with robust innovative and interactive virtual sessions.
The class of 37 participants represents a broad spectrum of appetite for in-person interaction during these challenging times. Some class members are in front-line positions and have therefore been in the community and with the public since the early days of the pandemic. Others have been isolated in their home offices and on screens. Some crave more in-person interaction, others are wary of the risks. All have embraced the Flagship experience in these uncertain times. All are adapting to new ways of connecting and showing up in their role as leaders.
The Opening Retreat was its own lesson in adaptability. With morning sessions planned outside at London Town, foul weather called for adjustments and quick reshuffling of the game plan. Hopping online, leveraging online polls and breakout groups we adapted "the way we've always done it" to the way we could get it done - to great success! It was a great energizing couple of days and a great start for the Flagship class of 2021!
Of course Flagship 2021 adapting has only just begun. Each Flagship Day committee will create plans A and B to prepare for the unknown - peaks and valleys in our health numbers, evolving health guidelines, ever-changing weather. Fortunately the Flagship Committees are packed with LAA Alumni all rolling and adapting in their own leadership roles on a daily basis.
LAA is far from alone in our necessary adaptations. Look around and organizations and individuals are swiftly embracing new ideas and approaches. Examples are everywhere. To name just a few, click the links below to explore:
Wellness House - Fall Rock n Roll Benefit on the Bay - On Thursday, September 24th, in support of Wellness House of Annapolis' free services to our community touched by cancer, they will offer an exciting virtual concert experience - exclusively for the Wellness House - with gourmet dinner and wine! Read more.
Maryland Hall - On September 11th Maryland Hall transitioned their famous "Arts Alive" fundraiser into a livestream launch party for their new Front Stairs Concert series and statewide mission. Read more.
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra - The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is in the process of rolling out a new at-home symphony experience, finding ways to comply with pandemic restrictions while delivering their standard of musical excellence to patrons in their homes. To do so, they've invested in Symphony+, a comprehensive virtual platform powered by Vimeo Over the Top (OTT) comprised of three unique components: ASO Live!, ASO RePlay and ASO Chats. Read more.
Each of these innovative approaches to disruption are inspiring examples of adaptive leadership. They are also deeply challenging and downright exhausting. Adaptive leaders need other adaptive leaders to share ideas, work out concepts and leverage partnerships; challenging us to reimagine what is possible and celebrating our collective success.
Leadership Anne Arundel provides our local leaders with peers, colleagues, mentors and lifelong friends to power through the transformational change thrust upon our community by disruption. We are excited to nurture a new class of community leaders to support, encourage and challenge each other to adapt and thrive in the weeks, months and years to come.
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Updated: Tuesday, June 2, 2020
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These are extraordinary times. The confluence of a global pandemic and tragic racial injustice have created a fever pitch that demands more of our community leaders. These challenges can’t be fixed with sound bites and photo ops. They require digging deep, listening to conflicting views, and embracing creative approaches to problem solving. As leaders, we are called to do the work, to get some rest, and to get up and get back at it. To “bounce forward to what we may become.”
Challenging times also bring great opportunities. And leaders seek out and respond to opportunities.
In recent weeks, we have received many inspiring applications for the Flagship 2021 class. It is especially compelling to read the stories of community leaders inspired at this specific moment in time to step up and serve our community by committing to the Flagship experience. Their collective passion is deeply moving.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we have received requests to extend the application deadline and questions about how we will proceed with the Flagship class of 2021. In response to these requests, we have extended the application deadline to June 30th and I am eager to share our approach to the Flagship 2021 class.
LAA’s greatest asset is more than 1400 alumni from more than 25 years of programs. Many of these alumni serve on program committees responsible for planning Flagship and Neighborhood Leadership Academy sessions. Others serve on LAA event committees who plan the alumni professional development and social events. LAA alumni volunteers are guided by their cherished LAA experience to create meaningful, impactful, and perception-changing experiences for the upcoming Flagship class.
LAA was swift to adapt to COVID-19 challenges with virtual sessions to maintain momentum for our current programs. Moving forward, we will leverage the experience and passion of LAA alumni, expanding our creative approaches to in-person and virtual engagement for the Flagship Class of 2021, starting with the Opening Retreat hosted by Historic London Town & Gardens in September.
We will confirm a smaller class than usual by design (approximately 30 participants) to ensure flexibility with regard to physical distancing. The upside to a smaller class will undoubtedly be a more intimate and personal group dynamic for the class to fuel the lifelong relationship development so valued by LAA alumni.
Other upsides to this next normal include access to speakers and facilitators we might not otherwise be able to engage. For example, last month we were fortunate to feature nationally renowned speakers Chris Wilson and Eric McNulty for LAA programs as they were homebound from their standard speaking tours and graciously joined us via Zoom. We were fortunate to have USNA Captain Rick Rubel present on Ethical Leadership in April and we will be developing more ongoing professional development for LAA alumni in the coming year. The possibilities are endless.
As we look forward to welcoming the next Flagship class and expanding alumni programs in September, first we have much celebrating to do this month!
On June 16th, we welcome the 2020 New Leaders for a Members-Only Virtual Happy Hour to thank them for their leadership and introduce them to LAA Board Members and Membership at large. Click here for details.
Then, on June 23rd, we have a massive virtual Tribute to Community Leadership celebration in the works to recognize our 2020 Flagship and Neighborhood Leadership Academy classes! Classes and featured guests will gather on Zoom and we will broadcast to Facebook Live. Click here for the full scoop.
So, as we turn our attention this month to celebrating the graduating Flagship and NLA classes, we also look forward to embracing creative solutions to deliver the best possible Flagship experience for the incoming class of 2021. Because leadership doesn’t stop in times of crisis. It bounces forward.
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Friday, March 6, 2020
Updated: Thursday, March 5, 2020
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Ask yourself how the world will be better because of you. How are you going to make positive change in your professions, your families, your communities, the state, the country and the world? This uncertain world needs you, your leadership, your passion, your vision and your commitment.
-Maravene S. Loeschke PH.D., Towson University President Emerita
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.
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Posted By Kris V. Shock,
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Updated: Thursday, January 2, 2020
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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 25th 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
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