LSM E-News | November 2025 |
|
|
The Leadership Table with Matt Scassero November 19: Christina Taylor |
The Leadership Table with Matt Scassero is a series of live events featuring up-close-and-personal conversations with the authors of Letters from Leaders. The letters feature real stories, insights, and reflections from leaders across Southern Maryland. Our 2025 theme, “Leading from Where You Are,” explores the many ways leadership happens in everyday moments.
On Wednesday, November 19th, 5-7pm at The Charles Restaurant in La Plata, Matt Scassero, LMd '07 hosts an interactive discussion with rising star Christina Taylor, LEAP '22, Associate Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management at The George Washington University and LSM Vice President for LEAP. The conversation will be recorded for LSM's new Leadership Table Podcast. Stay tuned for the Leadership Table Podcast and for information about our upcoming live events with remarkable leaders! |
LSM Hosts the Inaugural Southern Maryland Day of Giving December 2nd |
Leadership Southern Maryland is a proud partner and host of our region's inaugural Southern Maryland Day of Giving! This 24-hour online event on Tuesday, December 2nd, aims to make it easier for Southern Marylanders to connect to causes they care about and to take action. We're celebrating Giving Tuesday Southern Maryland style!
Mark your calendar and participate by choosing from among 60 local nonprofits to champion and support.
Did you know that 80% of Southern Maryland nonprofits have annual revenue less than $10,000? Your donations and advocacy for the vital work our local nonprofits are doing in Southern Maryland will make a difference.
How can I help? Get creative! The possibilities are endless ...
Step 1: Visit the Southern Maryland day of Giving website. Choose one or more nonprofits to champion!
Step 2: Get creative in how you will promote your chosen nonprofit. Some ideas:
- Donate a percentage of your December 2nd sales or income to the nonprofit
- Do an e-blast to your mailing list with information about your chosen nonprofit, and why their work is important to you
- Offer a match donation incentive to friends or customers
Step 3: Participate on December 2nd! Help empower Southern Maryland nonprofits with your support!
Visit https://leadershipsomd.org/community/dayofgiving/ to see the participating nonprofits and where YOU can help empower our community! |
Enjoy the Warmth of the Season with LSM December 12th!
|
Executive Program Digs into
Southern Maryland Agriculture |
Farming 4 Hunger Executive Director Bernie Fowler, Jr. takes the Executive Program on a tour of Serenity Farm in Benedict. Participants learn that Farming 4 Hunger does much more than supply food to those in need. Photo credit: Joe Mortensen, LSM '16
Executive Program Class of 2026 met in October for a day-long tour and exploration of Southern Maryland agriculture. The group convened at the Solomons Mission Center where executive director Kelly Ward, LSM ‘25 provided an overview of the organization’s mission and programs, which include a community garden, food pantry, clothing bank, and more. Local and state agriculture specialists Caroline Trossbach (Calvert County Department of Economic Development) and Sydney Garner (St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development) followed with a survey of major features and issues in Southern Maryland agriculture.
The class traveled to the Loveville Produce Auction and enjoyed a private auction with manager and auctioneer Mike Stauffer. Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) executive director Shelby Hampton met the group at Serenity Farm in Benedict, where they learned about the decades-long efforts of SMADC to support local farmers and watermen. A highlight of the day was learning about the mission of the nonprofit Farming 4 Hunger to serve those in need of fresh food in Southern Maryland. The class explored lessons in life and leadership with Farming 4 Hunger executive director Bernie Fowler, Jr. and his team.
Participants dug deep into intersections of agricultural industry practices and environmental sustainability efforts in an honest conversation about the 2025 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card with local farmer JR Cosgrove, LSM ‘22 (Horsmon Farm); watermen Capts. Simon and Rachel Dean (Patuxent River Seafood); environmental scientist Dr. Bill Dennison (Chesapeake Biological Laboratory); and state government representative Rachel Jones (Maryland Department of Agriculture). The report card is published by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) to provide transparent, detailed assessments of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. In the 2025 assessment, the Chesapeake Watershed scored a C+ overall (an improvement over 2024), but the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers scored D and D+ respectively, with trends in water quality showing only modest improvement in the Potomac. Participants learned about collaborative efforts among farmers, watermen, scientists, and government to protect the watershed.
Special thanks to Program Advocates Stacy Hutchinson, LSM '23, LMd '24; Julie Oberg, LSM '23; and Kevin Schmidt, LSM '23 for designing a high-impact session; and to UMCES-Chesapeake Biological Laboratory for sponsoring breakfast and lunch. |
|
|
Executive Program Goes Back to School |
K–12 leaders speak with the Executive Program Class of 2026 during the program’s full-day education session at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center. Pictured, left to right: Retired educator Adrianne Mathis, LSM '25 (moderator); Christina Lopez, president, Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children; Dr. Maria Navarro, Superintendent, Charles County Public Schools; Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent, St. Mary's County Public Schools; and Dr. Marcus Newsome, Interim Superintendent, Calvert County Public Schools.
On November 6, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program met at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center in Leonardtown for a full-day study of Southern Maryland education. The session brought together K–12 leaders, higher education executives, nonprofit partners, teachers, students, and education advocates from across the region for a deep, multifaceted exploration of the challenges and opportunities shaping education in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
The day began with a compelling presentation on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by Center for Children Executive Director Cathy Meyers, LMd ’98. Meyers outlined the profound impact early trauma can have on children’s health, behavior, and learning outcomes, emphasizing the growing need for trauma-informed practices in schools and youth-serving organizations. Her presentation set the stage for the day’s conversations, grounding participants in an understanding of the complex realities students carry into the classroom.
LSM participants then engaged with Calvert County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Marcus Newsome, Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro, St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Smith, and early childhood education leader Christina Lopez, President of the Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children. Moderated by retired educator Adrianne Mathis, LSM ’25, the panel highlighted shared regional priorities — including staffing, mental and behavioral health needs, innovative career-ready programs, and strengthening community partnerships.
Following the K-12 Leaders panel, Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., LSM ’22, Chair of the Charles County Board of Education, led a reflective conversation on the state of education in the region. Participants synthesized themes from the morning and explored how leadership across sectors can support Southern Maryland’s students, families, and educators.
Students of the Forrest Career & Technology Center's Culinary Arts Program, under the direction of Chef Amanda Poe, catered the Executive Program luncheon, during which representatives from eight nonprofit organizations shared the diverse ways they support education outside the traditional classroom — from arts-integrated schooling and STEM innovation to youth leadership, out-of-school time programming, mentorship, and play-based development. Presenters included the Phoenix International School of the Arts, Pure Play Every Day, Stella’s Girls, the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation, East-John Youth Center, Inc; and the St. Mary’s County Business, Education and Community Alliance (BECA).
The afternoon program expanded the conversation to higher education, featuring Dr. Dale Nesbary, executive director of the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland; Dr. Yolanda Wilson, LSM ’24, president of the College of Southern Maryland; and Dr. Kathrine Gantz, provost and dean of faculty at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Their discussion underscored the importance of strengthening regional pipelines from K–12 to college and career, expanding access, and aligning programs with emerging workforce needs.
The final panel of the day, moderated by Amy Cricchi, LSM '16, brought together teachers and students from public, private, and home-based schools across the tri-county region. Their candid reflections on instructional time, mental health, academic balance, extracurricular pressures, and the joys and challenges of teaching and learning offered participants a grounded, “on-the-ground” view of the educational experience.
“Cathy Meyers reminded us that every conversation about education starts with the lived experiences of children,” said Dr. Sybol Anderson, executive director of Leadership Southern Maryland. “Throughout the day, we heard leaders at every level connecting policy, programs, and partnerships back to students’ real needs. That shared understanding—that education is both deeply human and part of a deeply interconnected ecosystem—is what makes Southern Maryland such a powerful place for collective impact.”
The session culminated in an after-hours “play date” at Mac’s Tap & Table hosted by Patty Stine, LSM '22, executive director of Pure Play Every Day.
Special thanks to Program Advocate Adrianne Mathis, LSM '25, for a wonderful session design; lunch sponsor AVIAN; and after-hours social sponsor Pure Play Every Day. |
Remember: LSMAA membership is a beautiful way to enjoy the benefits and fun of continued connection with your LSM family and pay forward the LSM experience for other Southern Maryland leaders.
We sincerely appreciate your support! Click HERE to join LSMAA. |
|
|
Ways to Help Strengthen Our Community |
How can you help? ...
Organizations throughout Southern Maryland, including LSM, truly need the expertise and support of talented people like you. Often all we need is an occasional hour or two. Here are some needs we know about: LSM RECRUITING TEAM -- NOVEMBER-JUNE
Will you help the LSM Recruiting Committee bring in the next Best Class Ever? The team meets once monthly on the third Tuesday at 5:00-6:00pm via Zoom to develop and steer LSM's recruitment strategy. That's just seven meetings! You're also invited to interview candidates. Available to Help? [email protected] OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN MARYLAND SoMD Volunteer Opportunities Listing Courtesy of the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland Thank you for leading through service! |
|
|
Wednesday, November 19: The Leadership Table with Matt Scassero. Special Guest Christina Taylor, LEAP '22. 5-7pm. The Charles Restaurant & Bar. 417 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646. Buy your ticket HERE.
Tuesday, December 2: Southern Maryland Day of Giving. In this online campaign, individuals and businesses are invited to partner with local nonprofits in doing Giving Tuesday Southern Maryland style -- as a community! While nonprofits fundraise throughout the year to support their organizations' missions, on December 2 we work together and support one another. Learn more HERE.
Thursday, December 4: Executive Program After-Hours Social. 5-7pm. Tentative location Call Signs, 46580 Expedition Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Joining us? Email [email protected] to confirm location.
Friday, December 12: Annual LSM Holiday Party at the Home of Linda and Chris Vassallo. 7pm. 6721 Bond Street, St. Leonard, MD 20685. Join us! RSVP by December 5th HERE. Be sure to follow LSM's social media for updates! |
LSMAA Member Events & Notices |
Wednesday, November 19: Annual TPP Defense Summit. 8:00am-4:45pm. University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland SMART Building. 44219 Airport Rd, Building 3, California, MD 20619. Register HERE.
Thursday, November 20: St. Mary’s Young Professionals Event. 5:00-7:00pm at El Coqui. 21030 Point Lookout Rd, Callaway, MD 20620. Come out for SMYP's final gathering of 2025! Register HERE. |
|
|
Thank You, LSM Program Sponsors! |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
