LSM E-News | February 2026

Southern Maryland Forum:

Growing Our Own Workforce

March 26

Join us on March 26, 8am-1pm at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland SMART Building for a morning of information and action! We will create action plans -- next steps -- for supporting regional efforts to cultivate and retain a “homegrown” Southern Maryland workforce.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other individuals committed to strengthening pathways to fulfilling careers for young people in Southern Maryland. We need your input. Come be part of the solution!

Continental breakfast and lunch provided. Register HERE.

LSM Night at the REX 

with The Evasons Mentalist Duo

and After Party feat. DJ Sammy Sammz

April 11!

LSM Night at The REX returns Saturday, April 11th, 8pm-1am with the award-winning Evasons Mentalist Duo followed by a DJ Dance After Party!

Prepare to be blown away by the mentalist team that has captivated audiences around the globe with jaw-dropping feats of mind reading, telepathy, and “second sight.”  Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller says, "I have never ... seen ... better." 

Nominate and Support Great Colleagues

for the Executive Program!

Have you nominated your favorite game-changer for the LSM Executive Program? Kristin Kauffman, LSM '24 shares tips for helping your candidate progress from nomination to application to acceptance.

This just in: Support your nominees and earn BONUS BCE Challenge Points:

• Nominations: 2 pts per nomination
• Information Receptions: Attend with your nominee and earn 10 pts!!!
• Application Support: 2 pts for emailing your candidate a deadline reminder between March 15 and April 8 and cc'ing: [email protected]. Deadline is April 15.

Executive Program Examines Regional Housing and Human Services Issues

Lifestyles of Maryland CEO Sandy Washington and other experts discuss local efforts to address housing challenges. Also pictured: Amy Ford, LSM '19, moderator (St. Mary's County Library); Michael Bellis, LSM '19 (St. Mary's County Housing Authority); Craig Cohen (CRG Companies), and Jimmy Hayden, LSM '21 (RE/MAX One). 

The Executive Program Class of 2026 gathered in January to study the region’s critical housing and human services challenges. They heard from industry leaders about the needs and concerns of children, low-income families, homeless residents, residents dealing with mental and behavioral health issues and domestic violence, and the limited stock of affordable and workforce housing in Southern Maryland.

Pure Play Every Day Executive Director and LSM Vice President of Program Patty Stine, LSM '22 introduced the executives to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Assessment. ACE Assessments raise awareness of how children’s experiences of domestic violence, parental behavioral health issues, and economic insecurity can impact their ability to thrive in adulthood.

Participants spoke with human services, behavioral health, and housing specialists about challenges Southern Marylanders face in accessing the many community resources available to support them, securing affordable housing, and having reliable transportation.

Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of St. Mary’s County, the Hon. Amy Lorenzini, provided a judicial education brief and described special initiatives of the court, such as the Family Law Court Help Clinic, which provides free legal assistance with family law matters and the Family Recovery Court Program that offers assistance to parents with substance abuse or mental health issues.

Special thanks to Chris Longmore, LSM '09; Jennifer Moreland, LSM '17; Mike Bellis, LSM '19; and Jimmy Hayden, LSM '21 for their exceptional presentations. Our most heartfelt thanks to Program Advocates Mia Bowers, LSM '22, Amy Ford, LSM '19, and Tammy Loewe, LSM '25 for designing another day full of memorable, high-impact experiences. 

LSM Welcomes

St. Mary's College of Maryland Navigators!

Leslie D. Taylor, LSM '24 welcomes St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) students to "Leadership Matters," centerpiece of the SMCM Navigator Leadership Program.

Leadership Southern Maryland is proud to welcome 16 St. Mary's College of Maryland students to our LSM Family! The students, selected through a competitive process, comprise the inaugural cohort of the SMCM Navigator Leadership Program: Preparing Students to Chart Their Own Course.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland's Office of Career Development & Community Engagement invited Leadership Southern Maryland and Leslie Taylor Consulting Services to partner in developing this non-credit leadership development certificate for college students. From February 3 through April 21, students will develop leadership skills through engagement with Leslie D. Taylor's (LSM '24) "Leadership Matter" seminar, which features industry experts as guest instructors. Participants will also be mentored by LSM alumni, most of whom are also SMCM alumni, board members, and staff. They'll also practice leadership in action by completing a capstone service project with the St. Mary's Family YMCA scheduled to open in June.

We'll tell you much more about the program soon. For now, we just want to share how excited we are to work with these exceptional students and colleagues!

Emerging Leaders

Begin With the Leader Within

The LSM Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) Class of 2026 convened on January 16 at the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course in Lusby for the first full-day session of their six-month leadership journey.

In "Discovering the Leader Within: Personal Mastery," LEAP participants explored how their personal thinking and behavioral preferences influence their leadership style, expression, and effectiveness. The session centered on their Emergenetics assessments facilitated by Leslie Fazio, LSM '22 and featured a presentation on setting personal leadership mission and vision by LSM Vice President of LEAP Christina Taylor, LEAP '22.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Calvert County Division of Parks and Recreation headed by Bob Branham, LSM '20 and the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course staff for hosting us.

Executive Program Participants

Study ... "Our Stories"

Earlier this month, the Executive Program met at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus for a day-long session about ... each other. The aim was to explore how to apply lessons from their own and each other's life experiences to their leadership of teams in fulfillment of organizational mission. 

RADM Bert Johnston, USN (Ret.), LMd, '07 and LSM Founding Member, returned to set the stage for reflection on the different ways we lead with his powerful keynote on “Dealing with Gray Issues.”

Griff Hall and Derek Matthews of Griff Strategic Leadership facilitated probing group activities related to dialoguing across differences and leading diverse teams.

Heartfelt thanks to LSM President Joe Mortensen, LSM '16 for serving as Program Advocate for this outstanding session. Special thanks also to LSM Sr. Vice President Stephen Cassetta, LSM '22; LSM Vice President of Development Denise Kopel, LSM '23; LSM Vice President of LEAP Christina Taylor, LEAP '22; LSM Vice President of Communication Angela Small, LSM '16, and LSM Founding Member Bert Johnston, LMd '07 for having lunch with the class and discussing possibilities for leadership journeys with LSM.  

13th Annual LSM Golf Tournament

June 25!

Get 50% Off LSMAA Membership!

Not a member of the LSM Alumni Association (LSMAA) yet? Join between now and March 31, 2026, and get 50% off your 2025-2026 one-year membership (valid through June 30, 2026), if you pledge to renew on July 1. (Offer valid for first-time LSMAA members only.)

LSMAA membership is a beautiful way to pay forward the LSM experience for other Southern Maryland leaders while you enjoy the benefits and fun of connection with your LSM family. We sincerely appreciate your support! Click HERE to join LSMAA.

Newsworthy Notes

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.

RUN -- OR DANCE -- FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!!

FORM AN LSM TEAM FOR THE

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 5K AND DANCE-A-THON

Proceeds Benefit Community Mediation of St. Mary's County

LSM is invited to make our presence and our passion for community known by forming teams to run ... or dance ... in Community Mediation of St. Mary’s County's 19th Annual Looking for trouble 5K Race and Dance-A-Thon. This year's event takes place on Saturday, March 28, at the Three Notch Trail at the Northern Senior Center in Charlotte Hall. The Superhero themed event encourages you to dress as your favorite superhero and celebrate everyday heroes who show kindness, courage, and love in their communities!!! Whether you prefer to break a sweat or bust a move, all are in for a good time!  For more information see the flyer below, or visit communitymediationsmc.org/lft-5k.

Want to Form a Team? [email protected]

HELP THE RECRUITMENT TEAM

BRING IN THE NEXT BEST CLASS EVER!

Now through June

The LSM Recruiting Committee is recruiting team mates!  The committee 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 six meetings for a lifetime of goodness (new colleagues and friends)! You're also invited to interview candidates.

Available to Help? [email protected]

GET READY FOR GOLF!

February through June

The LSM Golf Committee is prepping for another beautiful day at Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. Join us!  The committee meets once a month via Zoom on a date and time to be determined by the group. You think the tournament is fun? You should see our meetings ...

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!

Upcoming LSM Events

Tuesday, March 3: Executive Program Virtual Information Reception. 9:30-10:30am. Zoom. Register HERE.

Thursday, March 5: Executive Program After-Hours Social. 5:15-7pm. Olde Town Pub. 22785 Washington St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Sponsored by Olde Town Pub. All LSM alumni are welcome!

Thursday, March 12: Executive Program Information Reception & LSMAA Social. 5:00-7:00pm. Farming 4 Hunger Greenhouse. Serenity Farms Rd, Hughesville, MD 20637. Register HERE.

Thursday, March 19: Executive Program Information Reception & LSMAA Social. 5:00-7:00pm. Call Signs Restaurant. 46580 Expedition Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Register HERE.

Thursday, March 26: Southern Maryland Forum: "Growing Our Own Workforce." 8:00am-1:00pm. USMSM SMART Building.  44219 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619. Join us for a morning of information and action specifying next steps to cultivate and retain local talent for the SoMD workforce. FREE. Continental breakfast and lunch provided. Register HERE.

Tuesday, April 2: Executive Program Virtual Information Reception. 5:00-6:00pm. Zoom. Register HERE.

Saturday, April 11: LSM Night at The REX presents The Evasons Mentalist Duo and Dance After Party with DJ Sammy Sammz. 8:00pm-1:00am. Doors open at 7pm. Get discounted LSMAA member pre-sale tickets HERE. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, February 20th!

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, April 14: The Leadership Table with Matt Scassero ... and Bonnie Green. 5:00-7:00pm. St. Mary's College of Maryland. St. Mary's City, MD.  More details to follow soon. 

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, June 25: 13th Annual LSM Golf Tournament. 8:00am Registration. 9:00am Shotgun Start. Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. Lusby, MD. Want to know more? Email [email protected].

 Be sure to follow LSM's social media for updates! 

LSMAA Member Events & Notices 

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 12: TPP/ANA/MCAA Panel. Details soon!

Friday, March 20: Southern Maryland Human Resources Association 13th Annual Conference: LEVEL UP: Elevate People, Performance, and Potential. USMSM SMART Building. 44219 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619. Learn more HERE. Registration:

https://hrasmonline.shrm.org/forms/register-hrasms-13th-annual-conference-march-20-2026  

Tuesday, March 25: 4th Annual SPARK! Student Career Awareness Fair at the USMSM SMART Building. 9:00 am-1:30 pm. Registration for companies wanting to participate in the SPARK! Fair: https://paxpartnership.org/tpp-events/4th-annual-spark-career-awareness-fair-2/

Saturday, March 28: Looking For Trouble 5K/Dance-a-thon. 8:00am. Three Notch Trail at the Northern Senior Center. 29655 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Community Mediation of St. Mary’s County's 19th Annual Race and Superhero themed event encourages you to dress as your favorite superheroes. This event celebrates everyday heroes who show kindness, courage, and love in their communities!!! Whether you prefer to break a sweat or bust a move, all are in for a good time! This race isn’t just about crossing the finish line with a stopwatch, it's a fun way for folks in St. Mary’s County to come together, meet new people, and connect with local organizations that make our community thrive. Come and make lasting connections, we'll see you and your team at the starting line! For more information, visit communitymediationsmc.org/lft-5k

Thank You, LSM Program Sponsors!

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