Amy Gowan is CEO at the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC). She has previously served as the Assistant Deputy Director for Economic Development in the City of San Diego and more recently as the Director of Planning and Zoning for Howard County. 

Amy is an experienced leader and has worked across the land use spectrum for nearly 20 years managing and leading teams within the areas of land use, housing, community and economic development. 

Asha Smith is an attorney and human resources professional with extensive experience in compliance related to federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity and disability laws. Her career includes developing policies, investigating internal complaints, conducting staff training, and advising senior leaders. Most recently, she served as Senior Manager of EEO and ADA Compliance at Anne Arundel County Public Schools, overseeing discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodations, and medical leaves for over 10,000 employees.

Asha began her legal career as a Staff Attorney at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, where she handled discrimination cases across employment, housing, and public accommodations. She holds a BA in Government, a Master’s in Public Administration from Cornell University, and a law degree from New York University School of Law.

Carl Snowden, a prominent civil rights activist and politician, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1953. Raised in Annapolis, he became involved in activism at a young age. While in high school, Snowden and fourteen other students were expelled for protesting the lack of African American teachers and courses. Despite this setback, he continued his education and founded the African American group VOTE.

After earning his M.A. degree, Snowden established a private civil rights firm. He also served as an Annapolis alderman. In 1988, he founded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, Inc., and in 2011, he founded the Caucus of African American Leaders as its convener. Throughout his career, Snowden has fought for civil rights, advocating for equality and justice for all.

Cecily Bedwell, a seasoned urban planner, has dedicated 27 years to Design Collective, specializing in large-scale planning, campus master planning, and urban design. As a Principal, she leads complex planning projects, collaborating with diverse teams of consultants to deliver impactful solutions.

Her expertise spans various scales, from urban and housing developments to mixed-use projects. She is adept at engaging stakeholders through participatory planning processes and crafting comprehensive master plans, concept plans, and design guidelines.

A passionate advocate for sustainable, mixed-use development, Bedwell has presented nationally and locally, emphasizing the importance of community engagement. Her background at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company and her advanced degrees in architecture from the University of Maryland and Syracuse University further enrich her approach to urban planning.

Chris Trumbauer is responsible for the development of the county’s $4.7 billion annual operating budget and the 5 year capital improvement plan. He is a former two-term Anne Arundel County councilmember, representing District 6 (Greater Annapolis). 

Over the course of his career, Chris has held senior positions in government, the nonprofit arena and the private sector. He was a vice president at a local communications firm and before that was the executive director of a county nonprofit environmental organization. He began his career as a biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. During his time as a county councilmember, he served on Maryland's Critical Area Commission and was a member of the Maryland Association of Counties legislative committee.

Christine Anderson is a seasoned veteran of local and state government posts. Before serving as Chief Administrative Officer, she led the Office of Central Services where she managed county facilities, fleet, procurement, and other essential functions of county operations. Prior to joining the county, Christine worked for the Maryland Department of Transportation in finance and administrative functions and for the Maryland General Assembly. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from Michigan State University and a Masters in Public Policy from George Washington University.

COL Gore is an experienced servant leader, serving over 22 years in the U.S. Army. She is a proven leader who has led complex organizations in leadership, manpower, training, human resources, finance, and safety. She is a native of Estill, South Carolina and immediately after graduating high school, she joined the South Carolina National Guard, serving her state for five years until her commission in 2002. She graduated and earned her Army commission from South Carolina State University (SCSU). Her journey as a Signal Officer was short lived and she found her true passion in the Adjutant General Corps taking care of people. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science Business, a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.       

Apostle Antonio Palmer is the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Celebration Center and Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Alliance of Churches International where he oversees 61 churches.  He has been preaching the Gospel since 1993 and planted his first church in 1995 in Annapolis, Maryland. 

Dr. Barbara Palmer is a speaker, pastor, coach, best-selling author, philanthropist, and award-winning business owner. She is the President & CEO of Kingdom Kare, Inc, Owner of a nationally accredited early learning center, and Owner of “I Am Barbara Palmer” a business consultation firm where she trains and teaches churches and grassroots organizations proper non-profit management. She was recently awarded a contract to serve teen mothers in Anne Arundel County who want to receive their high school diplomas. Under her leadership, Kingdom Kare Inc. came in 2nd place for the American Heart Association, Small Business Accelerator out of 200 non-profits nationwide. 

Dr. Mark Bedell began a four-year term as Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools on July 1, 2022, and assumed his full duties leading Maryland’s fourth largest school district on August 8, 2022, after transitioning from the superintendency of Kansas City Public Schools.

Dr. Bedell is a talented, caring teacher, administrator and proven innovative public school leader with a track record of success in urban districts. In 2022, he led Kansas City Public Schools to full accreditation status for the first time in more than 20 years.

Under his leadership, AACPS was ranked 40th in the nation and No. 1 in the region among sought after school districts in a survey done by Test Prep Insight. The survey asked parent and guardians across the nation to identify the school districts they would most want their children to be in if they had the choice.

Dr. Gedin joined the Anne Arundel County Department of Health in May, 2020, as the Deputy Health Officer of Public Health.  She brings 16 years of experience, providing strategies for population health, patient care, performance improvement, leadership, risk management, data analysis, compliance implementations, and contract negotiations.

 She started her career as an ICU nurse before transitioning into Federally Qualified Health Centers, including serving as Chief Quality Officer at Healthcare for the Homeless in Baltimore. Dr. Gedin received her bachelor's in nursing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. She holds a masters in community and public health nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Maryland.

Gavin Buckley, a dynamic entrepreneur and dedicated community leader, was raised in Australia but relocated to Annapolis, Maryland, in 1992 after quickly falling in love with the city's rich history and maritime charm.

Buckley's entrepreneurial spirit led him to open Annapolis' first independent coffee shop in 1993. Recognizing the potential of West Street, a once-neglected area, he invested in numerous businesses and community initiatives, including the Sunday Arts Festivals, the Annapolis Fringe Festival, and the West Street Holiday Light Canopy. 

Elected Mayor of Annapolis in 2017, Buckley continues to champion community-driven development, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive policies. His vision for Annapolis is a vibrant, thriving city that offers opportunities for all residents.

Governor Wes Moore, the 63rd Governor of Maryland, has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity and ensuring equitable outcomes. From leading the Robin Hood Foundation, where he oversaw the distribution of over $600 million for poverty reduction, to founding BridgeEdU to improve college success for underserved students, his career reflects this commitment. 

His service as a captain in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, including combat in Afghanistan, and his time as a White House Fellow further instilled values of leadership and public service. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Johns Hopkins and a Rhodes Scholar, Governor Moore's academic background provides a strong foundation for his governance. In 2022, he became the first Black governor of Maryland, elected with the highest number of individual votes in the state's history.

Jack Martin is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience in GIS, project management, and software development. He has a proven track record of leading complex IT initiatives, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing data accessibility. Martin has held leadership roles in both public and private sectors, including the County and the State of Maryland.

Jessica Leys became the Director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks on May 1, 2021. Prior to that she served as the Deputy Director for the Department since 2019. Ms. Leys received her Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certification (CPRP) on February 14, 2022. 
 
A 24 year veteran of Anne Arundel County government, she worked in the Budget and Finance offices, most recently serving as Assistant Budget Officer before making the leap over to the "Department of Fun," as she calls it. Ms. Leys has a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Shippensburg University and a Masters of Public Administration from University of Baltimore. She was a college lacrosse player and is passionate about sports and athletics. She has coached several local school and club teams and is the mother of two youth athletes. She also enjoys hiking and other outdoor recreation activities in Anne Arundel County’s parks and natural areas.

As the District 4 representative, Councilmember Julie Hummer serves the western portion of Anne Arundel County, including Laurel, Fort Meade, Gambrills, Crofton, and Odenton.

Councilmember Hummer is serving her first term on the Council. Ms. Hummer earned a degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in special education from Old Dominion University. Her varied career history includes roles in the education field as a special education teacher and in the financial realm as an assistant vice president with First Union Bank.
 
Her educational background and advocacy work as PTA president at her children's elementary school led to her appointment to the Anne Arundel County Board of Education from 2015-2020.

A native of Annapolis and a graduate of Towson University, Valerio Shock is the President & CEO of Leadership Anne Arundel. As a graduate of the Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship program (2006), Kris is excited to mix her personal and professional experience to expand the visibility, value and reach of the LAA program and network.

Prior to joining LAA, Kris served as the senior director of the Office of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship at the Maryland Department of Commerce where she led a team of experts in manufacturing, education and innovation, agribusiness and energy and entrepreneurship and capital attraction.

From 2008 to 2015, Kris served as executive director of the Chesapeake Regional Tech Council. Shock also designed, developed and implemented a marketing strategy to promote the council’s new brand and ongoing program of work.

Leah Aiello Paley is the Chief Executive Officer of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank (AACFB), a role she assumed in September 2021. As a passionate advocate for her community, Paley actively promotes issues that impact under-resourced people experiencing food insecurity. She also serves on the Anne Arundel County Food Council and Healthy Anne Arundel's Guiding Coalition.

Paley's commitment to service is deeply rooted. Raised by a teacher and a human service worker, she volunteered extensively throughout her life. After graduating from Providence College, she dedicated a year to AmeriCorps*VISTA in Baltimore City. She later furthered her education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, earning a Master of Social Work degree. 

Her dedication to her community is evident in her volunteer work and her role as a wife, mother, and dog owner.

Matt Fleming serves as the Director of the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. He was appointed by County Executive Pittman in December 2022. He has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of coastal restoration, natural resource management, and program administration. 

Mr. Fleming previously worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), where he recently served as Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Resources. Prior to that appointment, he also served as Maryland’s Coastal Zone Program Director, where he developed the state’s largest water quality financing program solely dedicated to abating non-point sources of pollution and oversaw the investment of more than $850 million in Chesapeake Bay restoration projects.

Matt Johnston is the Executive Director of the Arundel Rivers Federation.

He previously served as Anne Arundel County’s first Environmental Policy Director. As Environmental Policy Director, Matt led county and statewide efforts to pass new forest conservation and stormwater management laws, and ushered in a new conservation-first, smart growth focus among County agencies.

Prior to becoming the County’s first Environmental Policy Director, Matt was Senior Policy Analyst with the US EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, and faculty member of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at the University of Maryland.

Matt is originally from the Midwest and holds a Master of Public Affairs degree in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management from the Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, as well as undergraduate degrees from the University of Missouri.

An Annapolis native, Senator Shaneka Henson earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Coppin State University before obtaining her Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. 

With a passion for justice, Senator Henson spent years practicing law at the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). She now continues her legal work at Johnson Legal Group, LLC. 

She was elected to represent Ward 6 on the Annapolis City Council in 2017. As a council member in 2018, she championed policies that protect and improve the lives of Annapolis residents. Her leadership earned her a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in May 2019, succeeding the late Speaker, Michael E. Busch. 

Now serving as the first African American woman to be a Senator for Maryland’s District 30, Henson continues to fight for her community in the Maryland General Assembly.

Trisha Wolford is the 12th Fire Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, one of the largest combination fire departments in the U.S., serving over 650,000 people across 580 square miles. She oversees more than 2,500 personnel, including career and volunteer firefighters, fire communications operators, and civilian support staff.

Chief Wolford began her career in 2006 as an entry-level firefighter and paramedic with Anne Arundel County. She later became a law enforcement officer, working in the Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit. After holding leadership roles in the Bozeman and Spokane Fire Departments, she returned to Anne Arundel County in 2019 as Fire Chief. Chief Wolford holds a Master’s in Management and Organizational Leadership, an MBA, and various certifications, including from the National Fire Academy. 

Vincent Moulden is a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County who grew up in Severn but later moved to Annapolis and graduated from Annapolis Senior High School. Vincent first joined the County Executive’s Office in March 2020 as a Community Engagement Officer after spending over a decade working with non-profit associations developing innovative engagement campaigns. As the Director of the Office of Community Engagement & Constituent Services, he guides a team dedicated to helping Anne Arundel County Government be responsive and accessible to all residents. Vincent works closely with county leadership to ensure the public’s perspective is at the forefront of the decision-making process, the community stays informed on the County Executive’s initiatives, and resident concerns are addressed promptly.