Empowering Leaders to “Take Their Place”
If you are actively involved in your community, chances are you know someone who has graduated from Leadership Howard County.
This community leadership organization was launched in 1985 by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce as a way to gather business and nonprofit leaders together and match their interests to the burgeoning needs of the county.
Today, Leadership Howard County is an independent nonprofit, recognized as the premier organization in the county that provides dedicated and informed leaders who serve on nonprofit boards, citizen commissions, elected office and more. Many also serve in leadership roles in their faith communities, local schools and neighborhood organizations.
Leadership Howard County has more than 2,000 alumni from its three signature programs: Leadership Premier, for senior-level business and nonprofit leaders; Leadership Essentials (run in collaboration with Loyola University Maryland), for rising stars and young professionals; and Leadership U, for high school juniors.
Participants, who are selected through a written application and personal interview, get an in-depth look at the unique aspects of life in Howard County: from local government to healthcare, education and business development, tourism and the arts, and the delivery of citizen services. Behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities to personally meet with decision-makers provide an exclusive experience that produces knowledgeable leaders who are connected and inspired to work toward positive change.
Columbia Association has been connected with Leadership Howard County since 2005, when Maggie Brown, CA’s president at the time, confirmed her support for this unique program that shared CA’s vision of a thriving community. To date, nearly 30 CA employees have graduated from Leadership Howard County, bringing their insights from a wider perspective of the county to CA’s exceptional programs. Brown and past president Padraic Kennedy were honored with our annual Leadership Legacy award, given to those whose sustained service to Howard County has added enduring value to our community.
Last fall, Leadership Howard County collaborated with CA on its Community Building Speaker Series to explore the future of fair housing and integrated communities. The event sparked the interest of a core group of attendees to explore the creation of a similar housing agency in Howard County.
If it’s time to further your personal and professional leadership journey, check out our website at leadershiphc.org/content/programs to learn more. Recruitment for the Premier Class of 2018 and the Leadership U Class of 2017 is now under way.
