In its 29th year, Shore Leadership welcomed 25 individuals from across Maryland’s Eastern Shore to begin the prestigious development program. The group started its first session at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland, for orientation and activities, followed by an alumni reception dinner and awards night.
Shore Leadership is a nine-month, hands-on learning program focused on leadership development. Each session is held in a different Eastern Shore county with a leadership topic taught by Leadership Facilitators: Joe Thomas, PhD., Director of the Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy and Celeste Raver, PhD., Director of Senate Joint Office of Training and Development of the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms.
The 2026 class participants include: Joel Adams, Easton Utilities; Sammie Adams-Mercer, Waterfowl Festival, Inc.; Katie Allen, Trademasters Service, Inc.; Morgan Baker, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS); Caitlin Bartley, Channel Marker, Inc.; Sam Basham, The Village Maternal Holistic Wellness Center; Becky Berberich, QACPS; Chuck Davis, Chesapeake College; Josh Elliott, Talbot County; Kristen Goller, Talbot County, Lucretia Greene-Adams, Mid-Shore Community Foundation; Allison Hall, QACPS; Jennifer Hauf, Burke & Herbert Bank; Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, Martin’s House & Barn; Shawn Jester, U.S. House of Representatives; Melissa Johnson, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center; Justin Jones, Town of Easton; Sarah Kilmon, Talbot County; Carolyn Lane, Qlarant; Kenny Marks, Easton Utilities; Tiara Rhoades, QACPS; Caroline Slobodzian, Fello; Martha Darling Sparks, Talbot County; Jenell Sutton, For All Seasons; and Sarah Wray, Wor-Wic Community College.
During the orientation dinner, the Eastern Shore Leadership awards were presented to organizations and individuals; Channel Marker, Inc. received the Legacy Award, W. W. “Buck” Duncan of Mid-Shore Community Foundation accepted the Service to Community Award, Easton Utilities was recognized with the Outstanding Sponsor Award, Sarah Guy of Avantis accepted the Chairperson’s Award, Ted Book of Easton Utilities was honored with the Leader of the Year Award, and Keieve Colbert of Critchlow Adkins received the Eastern Shore Future Leadership Award.
“As we honor this year’s Leadership Award recipients for their remarkable service and vision, we are equally excited to welcome the Class of 2026. Their journey begins as we celebrate those who have paved the way, creating a meaningful connection between today’s impact and tomorrow’s leadership.” states Michelle Hall, Vice Chair of Shore Leadership Board of Directors.
Shore Leadership is open to leaders, managers, and individuals in new leadership roles from organizations, government agencies, education, and business. Since 1997, the Shore Leadership program has facilitated positive change and enhanced the quality of life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Through the development of a broad base of leaders and a network of private-public partnerships, Shore Leadership fosters shared ownership and a collaborative approach to regional issues. Shore Leadership is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at www.shoreleadership.org.
