Leadership Maryland Announces David Fike as New President and CEO
Former COO of Pursoma LLC and President of APG Media of Chesapeake to join
Leadership Maryland March 22
Annapolis, Md. (February 23, 2022) – The Leadership Maryland board of directors announces today the appointment of David A. Fike ‘16 as the organization’s next president and CEO. Fike, who officially assumes his new role on March 22, succeeds Renée M. Winsky ’05, who announced her transition to co-facilitator of Leadership Maryland’s professional development program last fall.
In Fike, Leadership Maryland welcomes an innovative executive leader with more than 20 years of experience overseeing operations, strategy, sales, and communications to drive growth for both small- and large-size organizations. Most recently, he was the chief operating officer of Pursoma, LLC, a beauty and wellness product company based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Previously, he was president of APG Media of Chesapeake. During his tenure with APG, he led the efforts to acquire two regional newspaper groups, established a new magazine division, and expanded operations for a new digital agency, increasing the company’s revenue and reach across Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Prior to APG, Fike was regional vice president at ACM Chesapeake LLC and publisher of Chesapeake Publishing and Printing. He is a graduate of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2016 and a lifetime member of the organization.
“We say Leadership Maryland harnesses the strength of our state’s current and future leaders, and we have been extremely fortunate over the past eight years to benefit from Renée Winsky’s strong leadership,” says Jeanne Forrester Singer, Esq. ’07 (LM), Leadership Maryland board chair. “In recent years, we have expanded our curriculum to include youth programs through our merger with Maryland Leadership Workshops, and the annual selection process for our professional development program is as competitive as ever. David Fike has been an active member and supporter of Leadership Maryland since his time in the Class of 2016, and we believe his passion for our organization, combined with his proven ability to drive growth and evolution in his previous positions, will serve him greatly as our next president and CEO.”
“As a lifetime member, I know firsthand that Leadership Maryland offers not only the most transformational learning experience for both professionals and youth in Maryland, but also the most powerful network of passionate leaders who are shaping policy, work, and life in our state,” says David Fike. “I have always been proud to be a part of this organization, and I am now extremely honored to have the opportunity to help build upon its legacy as president and CEO. At a young age, I participated in leadership training which profoundly shaped my life and compelled me to pursue a variety of professional and civic leadership roles. Leadership Maryland offers me the opportunity to give that same gift to others and potentially start them on their lifelong journey of leadership learning.”
About Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland is a non-profit organization offering professional and youth development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its current and future leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s professional development program selects as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors each year to come together as a class for an eight-month learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. In 2017, Leadership Maryland merged with Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), the state’s premier leadership development program for middle and high school students. For more than 65 years, MLW has provided peer-led summer residential and community outreach programs that empower participants – known as delegates – to take ownership of their personal development as they grow in self-awareness, set measurable goals, and collaborate with peers in diverse groups. Together, Leadership Maryland and MLW have established thousands of Marylanders on their lifelong leadership path, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change in all aspects of their lives and within our state. To learn more, please visit leadershipmd.org or mlw.org
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