PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Lori Crowe, Crowe Communications, LLC
lori@crowecomm.com; 404-975-7935

Kiesha Haughton Selected for Leadership Maryland Class of 2018
Maryland Women’s Business Center Managing Director and Gaithersburg resident
one of 52 leaders chosen for professional development program

Rockville, Md., – February 12, 2018 – Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) announced that Managing Director Kiesha Haughton has been selected by Leadership Maryland to participate in its professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of business and community leaders. Haughton is one of 52 individuals chosen for Leadership Maryland’s 26th class—the Class of 2018—who will complete the eight-month, hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues.

Following a two-day opening retreat in April, the class will attend five, two-day intense sessions traversing the state focusing on Maryland’s economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity. These sessions will be followed by a one-day closing retreat in November and a graduation celebration in December. More than 100 experts representing business, government, education, and the non-profit community will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

“The selection process for the Class of 2018 was very competitive, as we had an extraordinary pool of diverse and experienced applicants to choose from,” said Renée M. Winsky ‘05, president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “The 52 selected participants represent a diverse and broad spectrum of highly-qualified executives from across the state, and we are confident that their Leadership Maryland experience will help them to play an even greater role in our unified effort to shape the future of our state.”

“I feel honored to have been selected to participate in such an esteemed leadership program,” said Kiesha Haughton, Managing Director, Maryland Women’s Business Center.  “I look forward to connecting with my amazing cohort as we collaborate on issue-based solutions that will improve our great state. Many thanks to Leadership Maryland for this tremendous opportunity.”

Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. Haughton intends to use her enhanced skillset and professional connections to strengthen MWBC’s programs and services that are offered to entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses across the state.

About Maryland Women’s Business Center
Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) was established in 2010 as a program of the nonprofit Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) to help people throughout the region start and build successful women-owned enterprises that are positioned for long-term growth. MWBC conducts specialized training, offers individual business counseling, and provides unique resources.  Our special initiatives include a Childcare Business Development Program and StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition. www.marylandwbc.org  Stay connected on FacebookInstagram , LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit www.LeadershipMD.org, call 410-841-2101, or email Info@LeadershipMD.org.

About Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is a public-private partnership formed in 1997 by the City of Rockville, Maryland to strengthen and broaden the city’s economic base through business entrepreneurship, expansion, retention, and recruitment programs. REDI offers guidance and support to help businesses at all stages of growth launch, locate and expand in Rockville.  For more information, contact 301-315-8096 or visit www.RockvilleREDI.org.

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