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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA), the premier community leadership training and networking institute in Anne Arundel County, announces the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Graduate and Excellence in Leadership Awards, to be presented at the annual Tribute to Community Leadership & Graduation Celebration on June 22.
Each year, LAA hosts a celebration honoring graduates of the Flagship and Neighborhood Leadership Academy programs, along with the Distinguished Graduate, Excellence in Leadership, and Bertina Nick Flagship Scholarship honorees. The Tribute to Community Leadership & Graduation celebrates more than 30 years of contributions, collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Nearly 2,000 LAA graduates have strengthened Anne Arundel County by serving across public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors—continuing to develop, nurture, and connect the next generation of leaders.
2026 Distinguished Graduate Award Honorees
The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional LAA graduates who embody “the heart of community trusteeship” through notable contributions to the community. Honorees are selected by an alumni committee of past recipients.
SKIP AULD (Flagship 2012)
Skip Auld has dedicated more than four decades to public and academic libraries across the East Coast, building a career defined by transformational leadership, community access, and the belief that libraries are essential anchors of civic life.
Since 2010, Skip has served as Chief Executive Officer of Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL), overseeing a $35 million budget, 16 branch locations, a central headquarters, and a team of more than 300 full-time staff serving over 600,000 residents. Under his leadership, AACPL has evolved from a traditional library system into a dynamic network of community-centered spaces — expanding access through new branches in Annapolis, Riviera Beach, Glen Burnie, and Discoveries: The Library at the Mall.
Skip has championed equity, inclusion, and intellectual freedom throughout his tenure, leading an organizational equity audit, establishing AACPL as a designated book sanctuary, and integrating public health and human services — including social workers, harm reduction resources, and vaccine clinics — directly into library branches.
A graduate of the LAA Flagship Class of 2012, Skip embodies the program's mission of collaborative, community-centered leadership. His cross-sector partnerships, culture of belonging, and commitment to serving marginalized communities reflect the enduring impact of his LAA experience. Skip will retire in early 2027, leaving behind a profound and lasting legacy throughout Anne Arundel County.
Charlestine R. Fairley, PhD (Executive Leadership Series 2006)
Charlestine R. Fairley, PhD, is a transformational educator, servant leader, and community champion whose career spanning decades has been defined by an unwavering commitment to equity, access, and human potential across Anne Arundel County.
As former Dean and Director of the Annapolis campus of Sojourner-Douglass College, Dr. Fairley built an institution rooted in possibility — actively seeking out individuals who did not believe higher education was within their reach and removing every barrier to get them there. Over her career, she has mentored hundreds of students pursuing advanced degrees, many of whom now serve as leaders across sectors throughout the region.
Today, as CEO of the Anne Arundel Community Action Agency, Dr. Fairley leads with strategic clarity and deep compassion, advancing programs in youth development, reentry services, and economic mobility. Her community leadership extends to the Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Board, the Healthy Anne Arundel Coalition, the 21st Century Club of Annapolis, and Anne Arundel Women Giving Together.
A graduate of the LAA Executive Leadership Series (ELS) in 2006, Dr. Fairley embodies the organization's mission through her lifelong dedication to collaboration, mentorship, and transformative service. Grounded in faith, lived experience, and an enduring moral compass, she leads with both strength and grace — shaping lives and strengthening communities one relationship at a time.
2026 Excellence in Leadership Award Honoree
Selected by the LAA Board of Directors and sponsored by Live! Casino & Hotel, the Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes an Anne Arundel County business or individual whose leadership has made a significant positive impact on our community.
ELIZABETH KINNEY (Flagship 1995)
Elizabeth Kinney is a community leader and social entrepreneur whose career in Annapolis has been defined by a deep commitment to addressing homelessness and creating economic opportunity for those facing the greatest barriers. A Vanderbilt University graduate, she settled in Annapolis in 1981 and dedicated her off-hours to serving on nonprofit boards, including as President of the Friends of the Light House Shelter Board and President of the Annapolis Area Ministries Board. She graduated from the LAA Flagship class of 1995 and went on to chair the Light House's $8.2 million capital campaign and ultimately serve as its Executive Director from 2011 to 2016. Upon stepping down as Executive Director, she transitioned into leading the Light House Social Enterprise LLC Board, overseeing the launch of the Light House Bistro and the Building Employment Success Training program — a workforce development initiative she helped design to connect shelter residents with culinary and facilities careers. She went on to found Rise and Shine Bakery, a nonprofit providing workforce training and employment opportunities in the baking industry for individuals facing employment barriers, and continues to serve as its President today. Through decades of innovative, mission-driven leadership, Elizabeth Kinney has helped redefine how Annapolis addresses homelessness, economic mobility, and human dignity.
Bertina Nick NLA Flagship Scholarship
The Bertina Nick NLA Flagship Scholarship is awarded to a graduate of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy. Named for activist and community leader Bertina Larkins Nick, the scholarship honors her lifetime of work in the county and remains the only full scholarship for the LAA Flagship Program.
The 2026 scholarship recipient will be announced during the event.
Event Information
Monday, June 22, 2026 | 5:30–8:00 PM
The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel
The celebration will include graduation recognition for the 2026 Flagship and Neighborhood Leadership Academy classes, award presentations, and special remarks. For more information, visit https://leadershipaa.org/tribute.
About Leadership Anne Arundel: Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that provides leadership education, connection, and civic engagement opportunities for individuals across Anne Arundel County. With nearly 2,000 alumni, LAA continues to cultivate informed, connected, and committed leaders across sectors.
