Nonprofit Spotlight

Nonprofit Spotlight

Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) is a nonprofit organization that connects, educates, and inspires a diverse group of current and emerging leaders, fostering collaboration to address community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. LSM tackles local community and industry issues through experiential learning, collaboration, regional action, and service. Participants build valuable relationships — peer-to-peer, business-to-business — all in the context of great fun and learning while collaborating to improve life in Southern Maryland.

LSM's flagship Executive Program is an interactive and life-enriching nine-month, “behind-the-scenes” experience designed to increase collaboration among the region’s top senior executives. The program is intense, thought-provoking ... and life-changing. Each month, from September through May, a cohort of up to 40 leaders converges for a one- or two-day session focusing on a significant Southern Maryland issue: education, healthcare, energy, environment, defense, public safety, housing and human services, economic and workforce development, agriculture, multiculturalism and diversity. Participants also engage the community through volunteer service and class projects.

“Leadership Southern Maryland changed the trajectory of my career. From day one, I was inspired to learn more about my community and about myself. This experience is about learning, listening, and questioning everything you know. I can pick up the phone at any time and get an honest answer from my LSM network of friends and colleagues. It’s an experience for which I’ll always be grateful.”
-- Theresa Johnson, LSM ‘14 - Vice President, Brand Strategy and Philanthropy, Calvert Health

LSM also offers an Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP), a six-month educational program for early- and mid-career professionals that strengthens leadership skills, expands networks, and deepens roots in Southern Maryland. LEAP focuses on personal leadership mastery, mentoring and networking relationships, innovation and change leadership, communication and diversity, servant leadership, and stewardship.

"In the LEAP program, I learned how to grow as an effective leader while staying true to who I am.
--Lawrence Forte, LEAP '20

Applications for the LSM Executive Program are open through April 15. The program runs from September 2025 to May 2026. LSM has five in-person and virtual information sessions scheduled in March and April. These sessions provide attendees with a more complete understanding of the program and the application process, and are an opportunity to meet LSM alumni and ask questions. There is a fee to participate in the program and scholarships are available for employees of nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about the LSM Executive Program. 

Learn more about LEAP.

Follow LSM on LinkedIn and on Facebook.