ROWAN COUNTY — The Rowan Chamber of Commerce announced its 32nd Class of Leadership Rowan on Wednesday.

Since 1992, the Rowan Chamber and Leadership Rowan have been dedicated to ensuring that the community’s most influential and esteemed leaders are well-informed about local issues, highly networked and passionate about the community’s success.

The talented leaders will engage in a 10-month program that includes exclusive tours and hands-on experiences, working closely with area leaders who daily tackle the community’s biggest challenges. 

Armed with new knowledge, connections and perspectives, Leadership Rowan graduates are well-prepared to take their places as effective community leaders.  

“We take pride in the history and remarkable success of Leadership Rowan, which has produced over 810 graduates,” said Nick Means of F & M Bank, the Leadership Rowan Steering Committee chairman. “The program’s legacy of cultivating informed and dedicated leaders is a testament to our community’s commitment to growth and collaboration.”

The 31 members of the 2024-25 class are:

• Sydney Alexander, BrickEd & More
• Lerin Allen, F&M Bank
• Carla Black, Rowan-Salisbury School System
• Angel Chapman-McDavid, Family Crisis Council of Rowan
• Renard Cuthbertson, Communities in Schools Rowan
• Nicee Cuthbertson, Trinity at Home
• Kristen Estepp, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau
• Karen Ewen, Catawba College
• April Gaither, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
• Misty Goins, F&M Bank
• Joshua Gray, Courtyard by Marriott
• June Hall, N.C. Transportation Museum 
• Courtney Hunter, Rowan Helping Ministries
• Garette Hunter, Livingstone College
• Kelli Isenhour, Rowan County Soil & Water
• Carla Johnston, Rowan County DSS
• Lyndsey Maloney, Rowan Public Library
• Caroline Manno, Miller Davis Agency
• Nailah McDowell, Livingstone College
• Hannah Medlin, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
• Macy Mitchell, Lutheran Services Carolinas
• Robert Moore, Atrium Health
• Bianca Munoz Norman, Main Street Marketplace
• Joe Nixon, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
• Cinthia Rodriguez, Smart Start Rowan
• Johnathan Rummage, Walser Technology Group
• Miriam Santana, Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers
• Abi Scott, Moose Pharmacy
• Megan Simpson, City of Salisbury
• Aaron Tallman, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
• Chad Walker, Fidelity Bank

Class members participate in a two-day retreat Aug. 22-23 where they will engage in a Simulated Society (SIMSOC) exercise and get to know their fellow classmates. After the retreat, participants will attend a full-day session each month from September through May to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of Rowan County. The class will attend sessions in the categories of history and power, criminal justice, public education, human needs, government, communications, business and the economy, and quality of life.

Each year, Leadership Rowan is diligently planned by the Leadership Steering Committee and co-chairs from last year’s leadership class. The Steering Committee includes, Means; Deborah Johnson, Livingstone College; Alisha-Byrd Clark, Gemstones and COMPASS Leadership Academy; Erik Lipscomb, Global Contact Services; Shawn P. Edman, Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center; Kaisha Brown, City of Salisbury; Lorie Aldridge, Trinity Oaks; Tracy Alewine, Walser Technology Group; Peter Franzese, Town of Spencer; Leigh Ellington, Catawba College; David Beasley, Novant Health Rowan; Dillon Brewer, Town of Rockwell; Chris Nesbitt, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Elaine Spalding, Rowan Chamber – President; and Sydney T. Murphy, Rowan Chamber.

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce is confident that the 2024-25 Leadership Rowan Class will continue the program’s legacy of excellence. By fostering collaboration, understanding and innovation, these leaders will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Rowan County.