Salisbury, MD — Developing their next generation of leaders is a key goal for many Eastern Shore businesses. To support early-career and newly promoted professionals build the practical leadership skills needed in today’s workplace, the Eastern Shore Leadership Institute is launching a new Young Leaders Development Series. The three-session series premiers August 19, 2026, offering 90-minute programs that focus on managing workforce stress, improving AI knowledge, and the essentials of giving and receiving feedback on the job.
In identifying the content of this intial offering of the Young Leaders Development Series, the Eastern Shore Leadership Institute (ESLI), a significant initative of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, consulted with the Chamber’s Young Professionals and other resources emphasizing leadership development for younger employees. The program will be offered each spring and fall.
“The Young Leaders Development Series is really about investing in people and helping aspiring leaders grow,” explained Megan Speake, Impact Analyst at Maryland Broadband Cooperative and chair of the Young Leaders program at ESLI. “We wanted a program that provides fundamental leadership skills and where participants can learn from experienced leaders that also fits people’s busy schedules. Our goal is that every participant leaves each session with one or two ideas they can put into practice that same afternoon, so that they can contribute to their organizations, continue growing in their careers, and make a positive difference in their communities.”
The series held at Wor-Wic Community College, a key partner in ESLI’s leadership training programs, runs from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., with lunch. Each session will be presented by an leadership expert from the Shore. The first session on August 19, titled “Managing Stress & Preventing Burnout,” will be presented by Amy Thompson, President/CEO, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. On September 16, the topic will be “The AI Advantage: Smarter Prompts, Safer Data & Faster Decisions,” presented by Justin Kelley, Founder and CEO, IMPACT Technology Group. The final session will be held on October 21, when Kevin Hughes, Founder of Chesapeake Learning & Development and adjunct leadership facilitator at TidalHealth, will present “Authenticity in Giving and Receiving Feedback.”
The cost of the 3-session series is $65 (with registration fees), with a discount of $20 offered to verified members of the SACC Young Professionals, the Ocean City Young Professionals, and the United Way’s Emerging Leaders of the Lower Eastern Shore. Complete information on the Young Leaders Development Series and registration are available at https://YoungLeadersDevelopmentProgFall2026.eventbrite.com
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Crawford, Executive Programs Coordinator
410-677-4848 barbarac@retireinfocus.com
