Marshall County Leadership Challenge

09/29/2026

Putting Compassion into Action. That was the theme of our Marshall County Leadership Challenge Social Services Program Day, and we saw it lived out all across Marshall County.

Social services are often the safety net people do not think about until they need it. They support children and families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, people facing poverty or crisis, those navigating grief and serious illness, and so many others. More importantly, they remind us that a strong community is one that takes care of its people.

Our class spent the day learning from Judge Mitch Floyd, hearing from Erica Martin with United Way of Marshall County - Alabama, connecting with local organizations during our Agency Fair, touring Marshall County Arc, visiting Shepherd’s Cove Hospice, and participating in a tour and activity at the Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County. We ended the day with a poverty simulation that gave our class a glimpse into the difficult choices and barriers many families face every day.

A HUGE thank you to every agency that participated in our Agency Fair, opened its doors, shared its mission, answered questions, led an activity, or helped our class better understand the needs that exist right here at home. Thank you also to our poverty simulation volunteers who gave their time to make such an impactful experience possible.

Special thanks to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice for catering lunch and Marshall County Schools for providing transportation for the day.

We left Social Services Day with a greater appreciation for the incredible network of people and organizations putting compassion into action every single day in Marshall County.

08/21/2026

What a way to kick off the Marshall County Leadership Challenge Class of 2027!

This week, our newest class gathered at the Lake Guntersville Rotary Cabin for a full day of learning, connection, laughter, and just a little friendly competition.

From discovering our individual strengths and meeting new friends to digging into what makes each of us uniquely equipped to lead, the day was all about learning more about ourselves, each other, and the community we call home. And, of course, things got VERY competitive during a spirited game of Marshall County Jeopardy!

A huge thank you to the incredible speakers and panelists who shared their time, experiences, wisdom, and leadership with our class:

Andrea Oliver, The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers
Mike Alred, Citizens Bank & Trust - Member FDIC
Wendy Patterson, Main Street Realty Plus, LLC and Patterson Properties
Mark Brickey, Sand Mountain Toyota
Ed O'Neal, Unfazed Leadership
Morri Yancy, Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce
Stan Witherow, Albertville Chamber
Laura Upton, Arab Chamber of Commerce

We are also incredibly grateful to our MCLC Board Members who helped facilitate the day, joined in the fun, and continue to invest their time and energy into making this program what it is.

And a special thank you to our lunch sponsor, Patterson Properties (Frank and Wendy Patterson), for helping keep our class fueled for a very full day with the help of Papa Dubi's Restaurant.

Kickoff is just the beginning, and if this first day is any indication, the Class of 2027 is going to be something special. We cannot wait to see the friendships formed, lessons learned, leaders strengthened, and the impact this group will make throughout Marshall County over the year ahead.

Class of 2027, here we go!

06/12/2026

Last week, we celebrated more than a graduation.

We celebrated a group of leaders who chose to invest in their community, challenge themselves, build relationships, and learn what it truly means to lead with purpose.

Over the past year, the Marshall County Leadership Challenge Class of 2026 explored the industries, organizations, opportunities, and challenges that shape Marshall County. They listened, learned, served, and grew, all while balancing careers, families, and countless responsibilities.

Leadership is not a title. It is a commitment to show up, work together, and leave things better than you found them. This class has done exactly that.

We were also honored to recognize Andrea Oliver, Class of 2010, as the 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient. Andrea's decades of service, leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life in Marshall County embody the very mission of MCLC. Her impact can be felt across our community, and we are grateful for the example she continues to set for current and future leaders.

To our graduates, thank you for your dedication, your curiosity, your willingness to ask hard questions, and your passion for making Marshall County stronger. We are proud to welcome you into our growing network of MCLC alumni who continue to make an impact throughout our communities!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to our Distinguished Alumna, Andrea Oliver. The future of Marshall County is brighter because of leaders like you.

This year's graduates:
Breanna Atchley - Guntersville Water Board
Anna Mai Bearden - Total Dental Care
Julius Boggus - Ainsworth Real Estate, LLC
Ken Bubbett - City of Guntersville Police Dept.
Wes Bullock - Kappler
Nathanael Chacon - Albertville Chamber of Commerce
Joseph Clark - First South Farm Credit
Michelle Clay - D.A.R. Middle School
Matt Driver - City of Guntersville Fire & Rescue Dept.
Sarah Kate Edmondson - Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce
Whitney Ellis - Citizens Bank and Trust
Haley Gates - Marshall Medical Centers
Bridgette Gillilan - Citizens Bank and Trust
Monica Gramling - First Southern State Bank
Hunter Guthrie - Peoples Bank of Alabama
Tyson Littlejohn - Lambert, Inc.
Roxana Lopez- Marshall County District Attorney’s Office
Henry Prater - Arab First United Methodist Church
Eric Self - City of Guntersville
Board of Directors
Emily Sharp Stephens - Redstone Federal Credit Union
Heather Stewart - RSVP
Zackary Tankersley - Frogg Toggs
Christy Teal - Shepherd’s Cove Hospice
Clay Webber - Asbury High School

05/26/2026

The Marshall County Leadership Challenge is proud to announce Andrea Carboni Oliver, as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award.

Andrea serves as the Executive Director of The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers, where she has led multiple fundraising initiatives since 2008, resulting in millions of dollars raised to enhance local healthcare throughout Marshall County. A summa cm laude graduate of Auburn University, Andrea became the first person in Marshall County to earn the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2014.

Her commitment to leadership and service extends throughout the community. Andrea is a 2010 graduate and past Board Chair of the Marshall County Leadership Challenge, a graduate of the Alabama Leadership Initiative, a past Board Member and two-time Board Chair of the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President of Development for The Whole Backstage Theatre. She also serves with the Snead State Community College Advisory Board and the Marshall County Auburn Club.

In addition to her professional and civic leadership, Andrea is deeply involved in children’s ministries at Guntersville Church of Christ and serves in various capacities within Guntersville City Schools’ Parent Teacher Organizations.

A lifelong resident of Guntersville, Andrea lives there with her husband, Michael, and their two daughters, Alice and Eleanor. In her free time, she enjoys reading and planning family travel adventures.

Andrea will be honored during the Marshall County Leadership Challenge Class of 2026 Graduation and Alumni Banquet on Thursday, June 4.

Tickets are available for purchase through May 29: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/A78KGV6Z9KPKJ?fbclid=IwY2xjawSCj1JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1ME9nbHF6dHZIeWowcU1jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhrj-rJ0ux65sAEu2IK_w3M9Yy2C1Lb78l3YXBN4Zwv3clz0zI5WmVhpAHy-_aem_fUhU6DqkEtQjgnAOEPr_ww

05/18/2026

Join the 2026 Class of Marshall County Leadership Challenge as they unveil their class project!

Join us as we cut the ribbon at the Guntersville Foodland location on Friday, May 29 at 1 PM!💜

The Pantry of Hope is the Marshall County Leadership Challenge Class of 2026 community project dedicated to helping fight food insecurity in Marshall County by providing accessible food resources to local individuals and families in need.

We are proud to honor our beneficiaries, Caring Heart Outreach and Marshall County Christian Services, for the incredible work they do to serve those in need throughout our community.

Will we see you there?

05/05/2026

Dearest Alumni,

Join us as we celebrate the Marshall County Leadership Challenge Class of 2026 Graduation and Alumni Banquet.

Thursday, June 4, 2026
6:00 PM
Gunters Landing Clubhouse
Business attire

Reconnect, celebrate our newest graduates, and enjoy an evening with fellow alumni.

Purchase tickets by May 29:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/A78KGV6Z9KPKJ

Nominate a Distinguished Alum of the Year:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdddc56V4iQAVgIZY3apS6CbGO1R120jXxkDJYF2VBhgdmZdQ/viewform
Deadline for nominations: May 15, 2026

We look forward to celebrating with you!

04/20/2026

The Marshall County Leadership Challenge Board of Directors serves with purpose, commitment, and a genuine heart for this community.

During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we honor each of you for the time you give, the leadership you provide, and the investment you make in developing others. Your willingness to serve does not go unnoticed, and the impact of your work reaches far beyond what can be measured.

Thank you for leading well and for giving so much of yourselves to this organization and to Marshall County!