Engaging Leaders: A Leadership Maryland Podcast

In this episode, Eric Brotman ’09 (LM), and guest host Eliot Pfanstiehl (LM) are joined by Eli Modlin ’19 (LM), Chief of Staff and Director of Government and Community Relations at Salisbury University. Eli and the hosts discuss how Salisbury University has navigated political, social, and COVID-19 issues, while faculty and staff have worked together to assist students and families during this unprecedented time. Eli shares insight on leadership roles within the University, and how the institution goes above and beyond to engage with and support the greater Salisbury community.

Covered during the episode:

• Salisbury University’s status after the impacts of COVID-19, the role of government and community relations with the University, and the power of strategic planning and pivoting
• How balance and trust are essential skills of a leader, helping them stay true to their mission
• The importance of collaboration, and how it helps institutions move towards progress
• The Leadership Maryland experience and how it prepares participants to be better leaders with a more diverse understanding of what happens within an organization

In this episode, Sean Looney ‘96, vice president of state government affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal, joins hosts Eric Brotman ‘09, and guest host Eliot Pfanstiehl (LM) for a discussion about the qualities that separate average leaders from outstanding ones. Sean explains why true leaders are defined by their ability to adapt to circumstances, ask questions, and engage in uncomfortable conversations.

Covered during the episode:

• The traits of effective leadership during COVID-19
• How to spot an average leader vs. an outstanding leader
• The importance of asking questions and engaging in open dialogue to reach your destination
• Integrity and toxicity in politics
• The impact of the media on leadership
• The power of community engagement and collaboration—why it’s beneficial to encourage people to become engaged with the public policy process

In this episode, Eric Brotman ‘09, and guest host Eliot Pfanstiehl (LM) are joined by Joseph DeMattos ‘08, president of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM). During the conversation, Eric, Eliot, and Joseph discuss leadership lessons from COVID-19—particularly in the healthcare industry—and how to lead from where you are, while understanding the importance of over-communication and the mirage of control during crisis.

Covered during the episode:

• How leaders identify what they can vs. what they can’t control and how the alignment of control makes a difference during times of crisis
• The impact of COVID-19 on skilled nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and more and how healthcare leaders successfully navigated specific aspects of the pandemic
• How to distill what you know vs. what you don’t know, and prioritizing information to be shared based on importance and urgency of nature
• The benefits of a public-private partnership during times of adversity
• The overall multi-generational impact of experiencing a different kind of world war

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman ‘09 and guest host Memo Diriker ‘12 are joined by Jim Perdue ‘00, chairman of Perdue Farms. During the episode, Eric, Memo, and Jim discuss how Perdue Farms has navigated the pandemic, the different dynamics of family leadership, and the importance of diversity in decision-making.

Covered during the episode:

• The pandemic’s impact on food production, distribution, and safety
• Jim’s personal leadership style in comparison to his father, Frank Perdue’s and his grandfather, Arthur W. Perdue’s —and how diversity among leadership aids the decision-making process
• The next chapter for Perdue and the process of preparing younger generations to lead
• How Perdue continues to keep employees across the nation well-informed, safe, and productive
• The importance of “taking on a cause” as a high-level leader

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman is joined by the President of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, Phoebe Stein ’10, to discuss the overall mission and values of the councils, why it’s critical to invest in the humanities—art, philosophy, literature, ethics, history, and more—the pandemic’s impact on new leadership roles, and the importance of relationship building.

What is covered during the episode:

• The role of the Federation of State Humanities Councils and how the various councils are offering free, accessible public humanities to their communities
• The pandemic’s impact on art, philosophy, literature, history, and more
• How to respond to leadership challenges brought on by the pandemic—navigating change and transition and embracing new competencies
• The importance of learning with the community and from the community, and how the councils are helping younger generations find connections through meaningful experiences

Phoebe Stein:

Phoebe Stein is president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, the membership association of state and jurisdictional humanities councils founded in 1977. The Federation provides leadership, advocacy, and information to help member humanities councils advance public programs that engage millions of citizens across diverse populations in community and civic life. The Federation also strives to create greater awareness of the value of the humanities— history, literature, philosophy, ethics, the law—in public and private life. Stein serves on the board of the National Humanities Alliance and on the advisory councils of BFG Financial Advisors and Humanities Indicators, a project of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Stein was the executive director for Maryland Humanities from 2008 to 2020 and has been an advocate for the humanities at local, state, and federal levels for more than 20 years. During her tenure at Maryland Humanities, Stein expanded the council’s partnerships and resources and hosted a radio spot, “Humanities Connection,” while advancing several of the council’s flagship programs, including Maryland History Day, Museum on Main Street, and One Maryland One Book. She served on the Federation’s Board of Directors from 2013 to 2017 as both vice chair and as a member of the Legislative Committee. In 2016, she was recognized as one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record. She is also a member of the 2010 class of Leadership Maryland. Before joining the Maryland council, Stein was the director of public affairs at Illinois Humanities. She received her Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Loyola University of Chicago and her B.A. in English from the University of Michigan.

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman is joined by Maryland Higher Education Secretary Dr. James Fielder ’98 to discuss the status of higher education in Maryland—including how to move forward as a state during unprecedented times. Throughout the episode, Fielder hones in on the importance of lifelong learning, educated workforces, and how to stay relevant and ahead of the curve in the workplace and within educational institutions.

What is covered during the episode:

• The key differences of leadership and management
• The status of innovative learning and how it will impact the workforce
• How higher education has adapted and evolved—particularly during the pandemic—and the future of brick and mortar universities and educational institutions
• How to encourage and implement lifelong learning for members of the community
• The difference between engaging and enduring in the workplace.

Dr. James D. Fielder:
Maryland Higher Education Secretary Dr. James D. Fielder is an effective and highly regarded executive and public servant with a passion for leading change. Fielder is focused on improving the economic well-being of Marylanders through educational and business opportunities.

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman is joined by Eliot Pfanstiehl (LM), who represents all things leadership—having served as program facilitator for Leadership Maryland, Leadership Montgomery, Leadership Southern Maryland, Leadership Washington County, and Leadership Allegany since their inception. Throughout the episode, Eric and Eliot walk listeners through the Leadership Maryland experience—highlighting the intimacy and state-wide networking opportunities created during the program, as well as the vast perspectives, ideas, and issues that participants encounter. Eliot breaks down what it really means to be a leader and how to use leadership tools to create positive change for others, as well as his next steps since officially retiring.

• How to use the Leadership Maryland network and the transformational leadership experiences that occur throughout the program and after graduation
• The formula for getting people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and ways of life to open up and collaborate with one another
• The importance of studying models of other leaders and mobilizing resources
• Breaking down what leadership is versus what it is not—the why vs. the how
• How to use your leadership skills to benefit and create value for others
• The impact of 2020 on the arts, reinventing social learning, and the rebirth of community organizations

Meet Eliot Pfanstiehl (LM):

Mr. Pfanstiehl (LM) is Founding CEO Emeritus of the Strathmore Hall Arts Center in Bethesda, MD. Born in Washington, D.C. and a life-long resident of Montgomery County, he is a graduate of George Washington University, where he majored in psychology. After college, he worked for the Maryland State Department of Education and went on to be the arts coordinator for Montgomery County Government in Montgomery County, Maryland. During his time there, he opened the original Round House Theatre. In 1983, he was hired as the first Executive Director of the Strathmore Hall Foundation. Inc. and went on to build the world class Music Center at Strathmore and Pike and Rose AMP Strathmore. He conceived and launched the Strathmore East County Initiative and the innovative Partnership with MCPS and Strathmore called Think Big Café.

He’s served as the chairman of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and the Montgomery County Conference and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Pfanstiehl founded and served as president of the Montgomery County Arts Council, the League of Washington Theatres, the MetroArt I and II Consortiums, and Maryland Leadership Workshops, Inc. He has facilitated over 400 non-profit retreats, leadership training workshops, and educational conferences.

He has served as program facilitator for Maryland’s leadership programs and was a member of the inaugural class of Leadership Greater Washington, a member of the National State Leadership Directors, and currently serves as a founding board member of the National Give a Note Foundation.

Within the cultural industry, Mr. Pfanstiehl has served on the boards of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington; Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Foundation of Maryland; Community and Friends Board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Round House Theatre; Maryland College of Art and Design; Black Rock Center for the Arts; Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County, and the Maryland Association of Non-Profit Organizations.

Mr. Pfanstiehl was named 2001 Washingtonian of the Year for his leadership in a new 2,000 seat Concert Hall and Arts Education Center at Strathmore scheduled to open in 2005. He and his anthropologist spouse, Cynthia, are proud parents of their four grown children in Silver Spring, Maryland where they are adapting to retirement by being busier than ever.

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman ‘09 is joined by the Executive Vice President of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), Kim Clark ’09. Throughout the episode, Kim discusses her unique background, and how it led her to serving 21 years at the BDC, the different challenges of Baltimore City and how to approach them, the pandemic’s impact on commercial and residential real estate, the status of transportation, and more.

• How unconventional experiences can shape an individual into a leader 
• The importance of mentoring younger generations 

• The challenges facing Baltimore City and its surrounding areas 
• Breaking down commercial real estate and diving into the residential mindset during 2020 
• Baltimore City’s job creation status and the positive outcomes of 2020 
• Exploring the future of transportation—namely commuters, construction, and congestion—in Baltimore and beyond 

Meet Kim Clark

Kim Clark is the Executive Vice President of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). In her capacity as EVP, Kim oversees neighborhood development, business development, real estate development, capital budgeting, small and minority-owned business initiative, innovation development, marketing, research and analytics. 

Among her achievements at BDC, Kim helped structure public-private partnership financing for several major redevelopment projects, including several Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects; Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS) for several major developments, and the financing of several grocery store projects.  She was instrumental in retaining several businesses of all sizes and assisted smaller businesses with expansions. Kim represented the City in the development of the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, the redevelopment of Inner Harbor East and Belvedere Square, as well as several other projects. 

Kim is the Immediate Past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association, President of the MEDA Foundation, Governance Chair of the Urban Land Institute Baltimore Council, Board member of the Emerging Technology Centers, Small Business Resource Center, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc., and is a member of the International Economic Development Council. In 2016 Kim was named by the Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, received the Mayor’s Medal for Meritorious Service, and was honored by Mercy High School with the Sister M. Joannes Clifford Distinguished Alumni award. Kim graduated from Leadership Maryland in 2009 and is a Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Class of 2007 graduate. 

For show notes & more: https://www.leadershipmd.org/engaging_leaders.html

In this episode, Eric Brotman and cohost Renée Winsky are joined by Kelly Schulz ’16, Maryland Secretary of Commerce, to discuss how to be a leader that creates change for the community instead of for themselves. Schulz dives into Maryland’s workforce development and how to inspire, encourage, and provide citizens—especially Maryland’s youth and local business owners—with the resources they need in order to succeed and benefit the community. 

In this episode, Eric Brotman '09 and cohost Renée Winsky ‘05 are joined by Alexander Nunez '05, senior vice president of strategy and regulatory affairs for BGE, to discuss leadership in a private sector company, and how there are many pathways to success that can often lead to a stronger, more sustainable, and equitable future for an entire community. 

In this episode: 

• The power of connection and how to build a network that consists of mentorship, diversity, and community-driven approaches
• The importance of understanding long-term objectives, goals, and visions in order to achieve near-term action items
• How demonstrating support and inclusion can instill strong leadership skills in others
• Learning how to be flexible and embrace failures, and the importance of recognizing that there are multiple paths to success
• Key methods for growing your leadership acumen and why these methods are valuable assets 

Meet Alexander G. Núñez

Alexander G. Núñez ’05 is senior vice president of strategy and regulatory affairs for BGE. Núñez focuses on the company’s regulatory agenda with the Public Service Commission and other regulators, and he oversees BGE’s expansion of customer offerings including new products and services. Prior to joining BGE in 2001, he worked for the Maryland General Assembly for several years, where he served as Committee Counsel to the Senate Finance Committee of Maryland. 

Contributing actively to several community and business organizations, Núñez is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of Maryland Business Roundtable for Education. He also serves as vice-president of the Walters Art Museum Board of Trustees and as chair of its Engagement Committee.  He is a member of the board of trustees for the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  He also serves on the board of directors for the Baltimore chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). Núñez serves as an appointee on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and on the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs.  He is a member of the Edison Electric Institutes’ Customer Solutions Executive Advisory Committee.  

Núñez is a graduate of The LEADERship Class of 2018.  He is also a graduate of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2005 and served on its board of directors for several years.

For show notes & more: www.leadershipmd.org