LAA Kicks Off 2026 Flagship Class

Leadership Anne Arundel Kicks Off 2025-2026 Program, 

Announces Next Class of Leaders 

Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is kicking of their program year with an exciting new Flagship Class of 2026.  Some of the area’s brightest nonprofit, government and business leaders, composed of a cross-section of the Anne Arundel County community representing ethnically, socially, economically, and geographically diverse populations, are joining the organization to facilitate growth of community leadership. 

The ten-month Flagship program kicked off with 52 participants this week at Historic London Town & Gardens and Honey’s Harvest Farm with a two-day opening retreat. Following the retreat, participants will be expected to engage in community knowledge sessions for one full day each month. Program topics include Government, Economic Development, Cultural Arts, Education, Health & Human Services, Law & Public Safety, Environment, and Agriculture/South County.  

Since 1993, LAA has been building, connecting, and celebrating community leaders through education, information and networking. With a mission of developing diverse networks of resourceful, informed, and proactive leaders, LAA is helping to create a more vibrant County. 

According to Kris Valerio Shock, President & CEO of Leadership Anne Arundel, “The Flagship program is about building connections, fostering collaboration, and equipping leaders to create lasting impact across Anne Arundel County. We are thrilled to welcome such an impressive and diverse group of leaders into the Flagship Class of 2026. Each participant brings unique skills and perspectives that will strengthen not only their class experience but also the broader community.”

The public is invited to LAA’s 2026 Program Kick-off and Homecoming to meet and network with the Flagship 2026 class on Tuesday, September 30, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. Visit  LAA Kickoff for full details and registration. 

The Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship 2026 Class includes: 

O. Abiola Akintola, Educational Coordinator, Banneker Douglass Tubman Museum

Erin Benson, Attorney, YVS Law, LLC

Marcela Burbano de Lara, Guest Experience Director, Live! Casino and Hotel

Kelly Burgy, Attorney, McKenna Russo

Brenda Cachuela, Acting County Auditor, Anne Arundel County

Joe Callahan, Executive Director, Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Gabe Cohee, Director of Programs, The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

Jane Cox, Executive Director, Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area

Larry Czyzewski, Sr. Manager Engineering & Design - New Business, BGE/Exelon

Thais Falavigna, Senior Vice President, Chesapeake Business Banking, Senior Relationship Manager, M&T Bank

Shane Goad, Deputy Director, Communications, Maryland Aviation Administration

Lysa Gorgen, Senior Customer Success Manager, ServiceNow

John Greely, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Lisa Grunder, Vice President of Administration, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

Jeremy Hanson, Coordinator, Chesapeake Research Consortium

Michelle Hellstern, Senior Advisor, Brian and Patricia Giese Foundation

Megan Henry, Licensed Practical Nurse, Intake Manager, Hospice of the Chesapeake

Erica Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Bay Community Health

Cassandra Kapsos, Marketing and Exhibits Manager, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County

Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney, Anne Arundel County Office of Law

Melanie Kincaid, Director of Development and Communications, Historic London Town and Gardens

Chris Landers, Communications Manager, Anne Arundel County Food Bank

Michelle LeRoy, HR Manager, Holmatro, Inc

Jen Logsdon, Sr. Financial Advisor, M&T Bank

Susan Mahaffee, Founder + President, People Rise LLC

Auriel Mayberry, Secretary, Severn Improvement Association

Kellie McCants-Price, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, Anne Arundel Community College

Michelle McConville, Programming & Outreach Assistant Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Library

Tom McQuillan, Vice President of Community Supports and Services, Providence of Maryland Inc.

Davion Percy, Vice President, Community Relations & Public Policy, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

Gretchen Moran, Founder and CEO, The Culinary Square, LLC

Stanley Newborn, Sergeant, Anne Arundel County Police Department

Kathleen Pearce, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Peace of Mind Wellness, LLC

Cate Pettit, Chief of Staff, City of Annapolis

Andrew Price, Project Engineer, Drum, Loyka & Associates

Jennifer Purcell, Executive Director, Anne Arundel County Nonprofit Center

Christine Reynolds, Principal, Professional Engineer

John Robertson, Senior Commercial Insurance Broker, Maury, Donnelly and Parr, Inc

Carol Rognrud, Vice President, Development, Historic Annapolis

Tim Romanoski, Physician/Owner, Warrior Medical Group, LLC

Kathleen Sauve, Senior Sales Executive, What's Up? Media

Elizabeth Savage, Director of In-School Youth, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corp

Tim Schultz, Captain, Anne Arundel County Police Department

Cristel Sias, Chief Consultant and Coach, Everyday Consulting, LLC

Brooke Silard, Settlement Officer, Eagle Title Annapolis

Dr. Nikki Smith-Kea, Senior Project Manager, Anne Arundel County - Office of the County Executive

Austin  Sposato, Director of Programming, Maryland Hall

Brandy Stephens, Vice President of People & Culture, Fello

Valeree Tolios, Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator, United Way of Central Maryland

Jesse Walsh, Attorney, Liff, Walsh & Simmons

Donna Wyatt, Program Director, Rise and Shine Bakery Inc

Kalah Zeigler, Accreditation Manager and External Complaint Advocate, Annapolis Police Department

About Leadership Anne Arundel

Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA), a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1993, is the premier leadership training and networking institute in Anne Arundel County. The mission of LAA is to provide people of diverse backgrounds with the education, resources and networks necessary to become successful proactive leaders. LAA has over 1,800 graduates from its three (3) core programs. LAA graduates serve in leadership positions in public sector, private sector and non-profit organizations throughout the Baltimore-Washington metro area. For more information visit  https://leadershipaa.org