Leadership Delaware, Inc.

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Leadership Delaware, Inc.

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We recruit and mentor the best and brightest Delawareans, who can and will transform the state. Leadership Delaware, Inc.

is a nonprofit leadership foundation established in 2009 for the purpose of identifying, tutoring, and mentoring outstanding young Delawareans who have the capacity, desire, and the courage to seek and excel at community, nonprofit, political, professional, and corporate leadership within the First State. These young leaders are recruited from throughout Delaware, without regard to gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or political persuasion. To apply for next year's class, visit https://www.cognitoforms.com/LeadershipDelawareInc/_2023LeadershipDelawareApplication

Learn more about us - visit leadershipdelaware.org

Leadership Delaware helps fellows "collect the dots...so they can connect the dots." And in doing so, they are making profound impacts on the state, transforming it for the better each day. Jennifer Cohan, CEO
[email protected]

Jaimie Watts, Chief of Operations
[email protected]

10/14/2026

Please join us in welcoming Kimberly (Kim) Taylor as Leadership Delaware’s new Director of Leadership Programs!

A proud graduate of LDI’s Class of 2024 and the University of Delaware, Kim brings more than 17 years of experience in human resources, talent management, and organizational culture. A native of Houston, Delaware, her career has spanned organizations including MBNA America, Marriott International, Venable LLP, Netflix, and Coursera, where she most recently served as Head of Global Culture and Community.

Kim now brings that experience to LDI with a personal commitment to developing leaders and strengthening connections between education, workforce opportunity, and community in Delaware. In her new role, she will be expanding our work across Intern Delaware, the Leadership Development Series, and our Alumni programming.

Kim is looking forward to using the breadth of her experiences to create a thriving Delaware – and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team!

Welcome, Kim!

09/15/2026

Welcome to our Fall 2026 Leadership Development Series Cohort!

What a way to kick off the next six weeks together.

This morning was energizing, interactive, and engaging — so it was no surprise to see Positivity, Relator, and Achiever among some of the top strengths represented in the room!

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We welcomed 33 leaders representing industries across Delaware – from banking and chemistry, to healthcare, government, nonprofit and more.

We started this series with "Your Leadership Approach," taking time to explore the strengths, values, goals, and experiences that shape how each of us lead.

A big thank you to David Kubacki for guiding our cohort through their CliftonStrengths® (StrengthsFinder®) results and helping each participant better understand their natural strengths and how they show up for their teams.

Over the next six weeks, these 33 leaders are committing time and energy to becoming even stronger leaders within their organizations and communities.

We’re excited for what’s ahead — and really excited to do it alongside this group.

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Please join us in welcoming the cohort 👏🏼👏🏼

Dmitry Andrianov, Adesis Inc
Gabriela Ayinou, Nemours Children's Health
Todd Anthony, WSFS Bank
Michelle Blankenship, Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore
Alysha Brannon, NCC Vo-Tech School District
Merle Brown, WSFS Bank
Thomas Cahill, ILC Dover
Julian Chesterman, Adesis Inc
Margaret Chou, Nemours Children's Health
Cathy Colapietro, The Harford Center
Ethan Cosgrove, CSC
Tom Diamond, WSFS Bank
Aswin Garimalla, Adesis Inc
Kaitlin Gillin, The Independence School
Muazzam Idris, Adesis Inc
Alexander Kane, Assurance Media
Karly Keenan, Today Media
Joe Kirk, WSFS Bank
Donald Lyons, Bryn Mawr Trust
Theresa Martin, RiversEdge Advisors, LLC
Theresa May, NCC Vo-Tech School District
Chantelle Miick, WSFS Bank
Grace Miller, NCC Vo-Tech School District
Raghu Neelarapu, Adesis Inc
Ryan Purdy, Assurance Media
Sandhya Roy, WSFS Bank
Dan Sanchez, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware
Nick Schaefer, NCC Vo-Tech School District
Laurie Spagnolo, ILC Dover
Matthew Webb, WSFS Bank
Blake Werley, DCI Engineers
Marcy Wilkinson, WSFS Bank

09/10/2026

That’s a wrap on Fellowship Candidate Receptions!

The energy over the last few weeks has been incredible — great conversations, thoughtful questions, and so much excitement about what’s next.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at a reception, and to the many LDI fellowship alumni who came out to support our 2027 candidates.

A huge thank you to last night’s alumni panelists Kylie Taylor-Roberts, Nicholas Piane, Stephanie Johnnie, and John Himics for sharing your experiences in the fellowship so openly.

We hope everyone left feeling inspired and ready for the next step!

Applications for the Leadership Delaware Class of 2027 are due September 25 at 11:59 p.m.

Questions? Contact Helana Rodriguez, [email protected].

LDI alumni: What advice would you share with future candidates? Drop your advice in the comments below!

09/09/2026

See you tonight?

This evening is our final Fellowship Candidate Reception for the Leadership Delaware Class of 2027 — and we hope to see you there!

If you’re interested in applying for the Fellowship, attending a Candidate Reception is the first step in the application process and a great opportunity to learn more about the experience directly from current fellows and alumni.

CSC Station, Wilmington
Tonight, September 9
6:00–8:00 PM

Come learn what Leadership Delaware is all about — and whether the Class of 2027 might be your next step.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/FWzXP

09/03/2026

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Leadership Delaware Board of Directors, Mark T. Brainard, JD, President of Delaware Technical Community College, and Jonathan E. Horner, Esq., General Counsel at Schell Brothers and the Ocean Atlantic Companies and current President of the Home Builders Association of Delaware.

Dr. Brainard combines his extensive history of service to the state of Delaware with long-time support for Leadership Delaware as a popular Fellowship speaker and mentor on topics including education, leadership, and civic engagement. Mr. Horner is a proud alumnus of the LDI Class of 2022 and has engaged recent Fellowship classes on the issues of growth and sustainability facing Sussex County and the state.

We are thrilled to have their leadership, experience, and commitment to Delaware’s communities join the Leadership Delaware family. We look forward to the perspective and expertise they will bring as we continue our mission of developing and connecting Delaware’s next generation of leaders.

Welcome, Mark and Jon!

08/26/2026

Last night, Leadership Delaware headed south to Milton to meet with candidates interested in joining the Class of 2027!

A big thank you to Dogfish Head for hosting us and helping make the evening so special. We loved meeting new faces, hearing why they want to make an impact in Delaware, and sharing more about the Leadership Delaware experience.

There are only two more opportunities to attend a Candidate Reception — tomorrow in Wilmington and one more in early September. If you’re considering the Class of 2027, we’d love to meet you, hear your story, and tell you more about what makes this experience so meaningful.

Ready to learn more? Register for an upcoming Candidate Reception:
https://leadershipdelaware.org/application-process

08/20/2026

What happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge you, believe in you, and push you to be better?

You grow.

One of the things our alumni consistently tell us they value most about Leadership Delaware is the people they meet along the way—the peers who lift them up, challenge them to think differently, and encourage them to become better leaders.

Our Candidate Receptions are a chance to hear those stories come to life. Members of our current class share their experiences, talk about how Leadership Delaware has challenged and shaped them, and give prospective candidates an inside look at the community they could become part of. This week we gathered in Dover to hear from four members of our current class speak on their own experiences.

There are three more opportunities to join us for a Candidate Reception! If you’re considering applying for the Leadership Delaware Class of 2027, come hear from our Fellows, ask questions, and experience the Leadership Delaware community for yourself.

Learn more and register for one of the remaining receptions: https://leadershipdelaware.org/application-process

08/17/2026

The best leaders know there’s always more to learn.

Whether you’re taking your first steps into leadership or have been leading for years, the Leadership Development Series is an opportunity to strengthen your skills, challenge your perspective, and continue growing as a leader.

Over six weeks, you’ll connect with fellow leaders, explore new ideas, and gain practical tools you can bring back to your work, your organization, and your community.

Wherever you are in your leadership journey, there’s always an opportunity to grow.

Join us this fall for the Leadership Development Series.

Learn more and register here: https://leadershipdelaware.org/leadership-development

08/13/2026

Last night, we officially kicked off our Candidate Receptions for the Class of 2027!

We’re excited to meet the leaders who are ready to make an impact on Delaware while continuing to grow their leadership skills and strengthen their impact within their organizations.

Couldn’t make it last night? There are still **four more Candidate Receptions** to choose from. Attending a Candidate Reception is a required step in the application process, so be sure to join us at an upcoming reception.

We can’t wait to meet everyone and learn more about what you’re looking to bring to Leadership Delaware and to our state!

Learn more and register here: https://leadershipdelaware.org/application-process

08/11/2026

August brought the Leadership Delaware Class of 2026 together for two packed days of learning, connection, and a closer look at the people and industries shaping our state.

We were honored to welcome Governor Matt Meyer and Congresswoman Sarah McBride, giving our Fellows the opportunity to hear directly from two of Delaware’s public leaders and engage in meaningful conversations about leadership and the future of our state.

Hosted by DuPont Experimental Station and CSC Station, our Fellows explored the business, innovation, and leadership happening across Delaware. They toured ADESIS Inc. thanks to ’24 Alumni Charles Stanton and received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Port of Wilmington through Fellow Laurie Stovall’s work with Enstructure.

And, of course, some of the best learning happens outside the Session room. Thursday evening brought our Fellows together with Leadership Delaware alumni and Intern Delaware participants at the Delaware Art Museum for Sculpture Garden Happy Hour — creating time to connect, build relationships, and strengthen the community that makes Leadership Delaware so special.

Rod Ward, President & CEO of CSC
Governor Matt Meyer
Krista Phillips, Chief Customer Officer & Delaware Regional President of M&T Bank
Congresswoman Sarah McBride
David Koch, Senior Vice President & Chief Operations & Engineering Officer of DuPont
Dr. Bryan Deptula, Founder of BKD Leaders
Nick Moriello, Founder of Healthcare Innovation Acceleration
Mike Evanko, Chief Commercial Officer of Enstructure, LLC
Rodger Levenson, President and CEO of WSFS Bank
Mike Quaranta, President of Delaware State Chamber
Kelly Basile, Chief Operating Officer of Delaware State Chamber
Peter Atwater, President of Financial Insyghts

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Wilmington, DE

Website

https://leadershipdelaware.org/

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