Mid-Shore Community Foundation appointed seven members to its Board of Directors – Stephanie Folarin, Aaron Gabrielian, Ruth Ann Jones, Bryan Matthews, Nancy Mugele, Brett Summers, and Moorhead Vermilye.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome these new members who bring diverse expertise to our Board,” said Buck Duncan, Foundation President. “We also thank Ed Allen, Joe Anthony, David DeLuca, Sandy McAllister, and Arraminta Ware who are completing their terms. We are fortunate to have such talented and supportive volunteers.”

Stephanie Folarin serves as the Head of Wye River Upper School in Queen Anne’s County. Stephanie received her B.A. in Africana Studies from Bates College and her M.S. in Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently completing her Certificate in School Management and Leadership at Harvard University. Stephanie has worked extensively with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and clinicians on various educational matters, including differentiated and inclusive education; equity and justice work; curriculum design and implementation; psycho-educational evaluations; teacher evaluations and professional growth; education policy; and education reform in both the public and private sectors of academia.

Aaron Gabrielian is the Senior Vice President – Branch Director at RBC Wealth Management in Easton. He graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and did his graduate work in financial planning through New York University. While earning his degree, Aaron played four years of Division-1 Baseball and was the recipient of the Towson University “Tiger Leadership Award” for his efforts on and off the baseball field. Aaron lives in Easton with his wife, Meggie, and their two children, Poppie and Peter. He volunteers for many local organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Talbot Mentors, and ShoreRivers. In 2020, he accepted active positions on the Easton Memorial Hospital Planned Gifts Committee and the Sultana Educational Foundation Board of Directors.

Ruth Ann Jones recently retired from a career in nursing, having served as the former Senior Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Shore Regional Health.  Ruth Ann is active in the community and has served on advisory boards for Chesapeake College School of Nursing, Salisbury University School of Nursing, the Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Health Information and Management System Society, and the Health Care Education Association. She has presented and lectured widely at nursing conferences and other events.

Bryan Matthews is the Vice President of KRM Development Corporation in Kent County. His previous experience includes coaching and administration at Washington College and the United States Naval Academy. He has served on advisory boards for US Lacrosse, Horizons, Kent School, Character Counts, Rebuilding Together Kent County, Easterseals, Mainstreet Chestertown, Washington College Hall of Fame Committee, and the Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Nancy Mugeleis in her sixth year as the Head of Kent School in Chestertown. She is the Secretary of the Board for the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools, and she serves on advisory boards for Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s, the Head Mistresses Association of the East, and the Sultana Education Foundation. Nancy is enthusiastic about the written word and has appeared in several publications of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Brett Summers is a Managing Partner and Founder at NOVO Properties, an asset development and property management organization with portfolios in Washington, DC, Chicago, Charleston, and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Brett is currently focused on NOVO’s efforts to revitalize downtown Cambridge through the acquisition and restoration of mixed-use commercial buildings. In addition to his real estate investment activities, Brett and his wife, Jamie, are the owners of Black Water Bakery in Cambridge. Brett is a returning Director, having previously served as Secretary to the Board.

W. Moorhead Vermilye, long-time volunteer and Founder of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation will serve as the Board Chair. Moorhead is the Senior Business Development Officer at Shore United Bank, and the former President and CEO of Shore Bancshares, Inc. He is active in the community and serves on numerous local boards.

The new members began their three-year terms on July 1st and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.  The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of thirty-one individuals from throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. For additional information, visit https://www.mscf.org.

Mid-Shore Community Foundation is hosting CYBER SECURITY 101 for the Community. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

CYBER SECURITY 101, Thursday, March 24, 2022, 9:00AM – 10:30AM, Online via Zoom

Led by Fred Christie, Chief Information Officer at Easton Utilities, the presentation will touch on specific policies, procedures, and systems that you can utilize to put your organization in the safest possible position to ward off cyberthreats. We will touch on the different attack vectors and techniques that the cyber criminals use to do their dirty work. We will discuss the effects that your cyber defenses have on your ability to acquire and afford cyber insurance, and we will discuss personal cyber security and everyone’s most common concern, identity theft.

REGISTER ONLINE:  https://m-scf.networkforgood.com/events/40404-cyber-security-101

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) recently honored individuals and organizations, for their contributions to enhance the quality of life on the Mid-Shore.

Buck Duncan, MSCF President, and Moorhead Vermilye, MSCF Founder, presented the awards at a luncheon at the Tidewater Inn.  Due to concerns of Covid, the luncheon was limited in size and the presentations were filmed for the public.

“This year’s award recipients have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Duncan. “We are honored to recognize and support their important work.”

The Town Watch Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in the Mid-Shore Community, was presented to Judy Slaughter and Mike Starling.  Judy serves as the Director of Volunteer Services at Eastern Shore Hospital Center, where she is actively engaged in raising awareness and support for patients.  Mike serves as the Station Manager and Chief Promoter at WHCP Community Radio, where he has been invaluable in the promotion of local events and culture.

The J. McKenny Willis, Jr. Award recognizes nonprofit organizations for providing outstanding service to the community and is presented to a volunteer who has been instrumental in the success of the organization. The Willis Award was presented to Charles Thornton, Chairman and Founder of the ACE Mentor Program, a nonprofit organization that provides career mentoring and scholarships to students who are interested in architecture, construction management, and engineering.

Five Special Recognition Awards were also presented.  Lani Seikaly of Kent Attainable Housing and Vic Pfeiffer of Rebuilding Together Kent County were recognized for their work to address housing insecurity in Kent County.  Leslie Bishop of MidShore Meals til Monday, and John Phillips and Steven Covey of Food For Learning were recognized for their work in combating childhood hunger on the Mid-Shore.  The final award was presented in memory of Kelley Phillips Cox for her lifelong commitment to the Mid-Shore Region.  Jerry Cox and Missy Cannon Helgason accepted the award on behalf of the Kelley Phillips Cox Legacy Fund.

“The work of the Community Foundation is truly a collaborative effort,” said Duncan. “Fiscal Year 2021 was a strong year – the Foundation experienced phenomenal growth. Total assets increased to $125 million, and through its 491 charitable funds, the Foundation was able to distribute $6.3 million in grants and scholarships.  Through its COVID-19 Response Fund, the Foundation was able to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontline of the pandemic and thanks to all who donated, the Foundation was able to provide $1,573,883.00 to 99 local nonprofit organizations.”

For additional information, or to view the video of the presentations, visit www.mscf.org/annual-awards.