LEONARDTOWN, Md. – October 8, 2020 – On September 25, 2020, Leadership Southern Maryland’s new Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) Class of 2020 held its fifth of six program sessions.

This hybrid program day (half in-person, half virtual) began with a meeting at Hallowing Point Park in Prince Frederick. Those who were unable to attend in person participated by live stream. The day kicked off with a discussion on resiliency and stress management with Jennifer Voorhaar, Owner/Therapist, Hope and Healing Psychotherapy, LLC. The program continued with a hands-on meditation session, led by Tim McMichael, Certified RYT 200-hour yoga instructor and leader at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This included a discussion on how meditation, and the discipline it requires, can help change one’s mindset in leadership.  Afterwards, there was a panel discussion with Calvert County leaders, Dawn Balinski, Board Member, Calvert County Public Schools; Mike Benton, Mayor, North Beach; and Lt. Col. Dave McDowell, Assistant Sheriff, Calvert County Sheriff’s Department.

After lunch, the group met virtually for the remainder of the day. The afternoon portion was led by Whitney, Bradley & Brown (WBB) Culture and Development team, David Jurkowski and Kelly Jasen. The discussion centered around navigating conflict and organizational change, including learning how to identify one’s core issues and how they are triggered when stress and anxiety levels increase.

Leadership Southern Maryland’s Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) provides educational programming opportunities to new or emerging leaders in our region. Through a series of six “experiences,” young leaders will facilitate, foster, and refine their individual leadership understanding and abilities via structured course curriculum and a focus on self-discovery, teamwork, and networking. These sessions will conclude with a capstone project and graduation in October. Experts from across the region and state representing business, government, education, and the nonprofit community serve as panelists and guest speakers.

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Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN#26-2989381). Contributions are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.

For more information, please contact Denise Foster, Executive Director, Leadership Southern Maryland, 301-862-SOMD, via email denise@leadershipsomd.org or visit devaney.adminprotools.com.