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Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism

Purpose of the Commission

As one of 52 State Service Commissions, the Maryland State Service Commission include the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism and the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The commission was created and appointed by the Governor in 1994 to review and approve all AmeriCorps State funding in Maryland and to serve as a body of ambassadors for service and volunteerism in local communities. With the Governor’s approval, the Commission may apply to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that manages AmeriCorps, and other public and private sources for additional funding. Under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, Governor-appointed service commissions are required to oversee each state’s AmeriCorps activities and resources. The Act also requires each state to develop, update, and implement a three-year strategic plan for service which sets funding and program priorities for allocation of AmeriCorps funds and promotes volunteerism and community service broadly. Learn about the Commission’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan.

Upcoming Meetings

MEETING DATE LOCATION TIME
March 9, 2021 Virtual Meeting 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
May 11, 2021 Virtual Meeting 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
October 5, 2021
Virtual Meeting 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
December 7, 2021 Virtual Meeting 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

Our Newest Commissioners

 

Executive Committee

 

Photos, from left to right, in order of the following bios. 

William (Bill) Mandicott, Chair, currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student and Community Involvement with Frostburg State University and brings over forty years of professional experience in higher education administration with an emphasis in civic engagement, community and leadership development, volunteer outreach, service learning and the arts. In particular Bill has been engaged with national service programs at FSU since their launch in 1994.

Joshua Pedersen, Vice-Chair, has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit industry for more than 24 years.  He led the implementation of the 211 service throughout Utah, has served as Director of Services for the Utah Food Bank, as Vice President of United Way of Northern Utah, CEO of United Way of Frederick County, Maryland and as President & CEO of 211 Maryland.   Today Joshua works as the 211 Director of Network Operations & Performance for United Way Worldwide. Joshua has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Weber State University.

Kelly MacBride-Gill, Secretary, works for Community Mediation Maryland, and previously worked at the University of Maryland Extension and serves as the program coordinator for the Watershed Stewards Academy. Kelly started her career serving in AmeriCorps and has continued to work with volunteers in the environmental field.

Candyce Harris, Member-at-Large, is an Air Force veteran and a Management and Program Analyst for the United States Department of Agriculture.  She has also served as the Director of Development for non-profit organizations with an emphasis in fundraising, marketing/media, and volunteer management.  Her commitment to volunteerism spans over 20 years where she served in many capacities that ranged from board memberships that addressed the needs of disadvantaged populations, to advocating for financial literacy and food deficiency, to delivering meals and running errands for sick, elder, and hospice patients to name a few.

Commissioners

The Commission consists of Governor-appointed representatives and community members, with significant experience and knowledge of issues related to service and volunteerism, who serve three-year terms.

Sadiq Ali
Sadiq Ali believes that “when adults run out of answers, they start blaming children.” Sadiq currently serves as Executive Director of Maryland MENTOR, Maryland’s statewide affiliate of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, whose mission is to increase the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships and to close the mentoring gap while centering youth voice and race equity. As a passionate and dedicated youth advocate, Sadiq has spent the last 15 years working with young men of color in a variety of settings, including workforce development, school and community-based programs and in juvenile justice, where he developed a number of culturally relevant curricula and leadership development programs. Locally, Sadiq sits on a number of boards and advisory groups including My Brother’s Keeper Baltimore (local chapter of Obama Foundation’s MBK Alliance), the Baltimore City Children and Youth Cabinet, the Youth Leadership & Advocacy Network Committee, Baltimore’s Campaign For Grade-Level Reading and the Maryland Out of School Time Network Board. Sadiq is also a 3x author, frequent keynote presenter and facilitator, trained mediator, and Results Based Accountability practitioner. He is a graduate of the HBCU, Morgan State University, and University of Maryland Global Campus; he resides in Baltimore, MD with his wife and children.

Julie Ayers

Julie Ayers, service-learning specialist for the Maryland Department of Education, oversees Maryland’s ground-breaking service-learning graduation requirement. She draws on her experience teaching in higher education settings and working in an anti-hunger nonprofit organization, and is able to provide support for issues she believes are critical for creating healthy communities. She is the designee on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism for the State Superintendent of Schools.

Wynne Briscoe

Wynne Briscoe is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a Minor in Business, and a Concentration in Business Law. An entrepreneur since the age of 7; Wynne has over 30 years of entrepreneurship and business ownership experience to include retail, professional services, technology and manufacturing. Since 2001, Wynne has successfully consulted and advised thousands of entrepreneurs, businesses, and non-profit organizations. She is known for her creativity and innovation in the development of new businesses by offering in-depth experience and assisting them from concept to profitability to exit strategy. Wynne has a passion to work with Young Entrepreneurs. She enjoys coaching and mentoring youth towards years of success while helping them realize business ownership and self-employment as a viable career option. Wynne is establishing a young entrepreneurship mentoring program and summer camp for youth to start and thrive as successful business owners.

On March 12, 2020, the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship requested Wynne testify for a “The Coronavirus and America’s Small Business Supply Chain” hearing. Read Briscoe’s full bio, here.

Henry Coppola

Henry Coppola is a Volunteer Services & Community Partnerships Coordinator with M-NCPPC, Montgomery County Department of Parks where he runs the Park & Stream Cleanup Program and focuses on water quality-related engagement. Henry has a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and has been working with volunteers and doing environmental management work with a community-based perspective for over 15 years.

Siobhan Howard Davenport

Siobhan Davenport serves as Crittenton’s President & CEO bringing more than 15 years of experience serving underserved youth. In her previous role as Crittenton’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, she built collaborations between schools, nonprofits, and corporations to better meet Crittenton girls’ challenges and launched the Declare Equity for Girls: It’s Time campaign.

As the Executive Director of the Rocksprings Foundation (2002-2018), Ms. Davenport oversaw the foundation’s impact investing around economic and educational opportunities to low-income families and youth. Prior to that, Ms. Davenport served as Senior Producer and Host for On the Potomac Productions including the acclaimed series “The New Washington.”

She serves as a commissioner for the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Ms. Davenport holds a BS in Business Administration from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Journalism from American University.

Bruce Goldensohn

Bruce Goldensohn is a retired non-technical systems engineer for management at TASC Inc. He has served the Montgomery County region in various capacities, including as former mayor of Gaithersburg and co-chair of the Committee Evaluation Review Board for the county executive of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Molly Hilligoss

Molly Hilligoss has been leading Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County as its Executive Director since 2015.  In that time, 16 families have been served with affordable home ownership and she expanded the Roof & Repair program to include Aging in Place initiatives. She has built the agencies capacity to serve more low-income families by partnering with the Social Work Department and AmeriCorps programs at Salisbury University adding five new jobs at the agency. With her marketing background, she revamped the advertising of the ReStore Thrift shop to help grow sales to over $424,000 a year, a key driving force in the funding of Wicomico Habitat’s construction program. She is skilled at grant management with the largest award recently accepted of $244,000 by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 2020.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and her MBA from the University of Maryland, University College.

Her past non-profit work included board and leadership appointments with Furnace Town, and the Worcester County Tourism Board. She serves as the President for Soroptimist International of Salisbury (2020-2021) and Treasurer for the Wicomico Rotary Club (2020-2021). In her free time, she likes to cook, garden, read, paint landscapes, and play with her dogs. Collectively, she and her husband have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.

Chris Lidard

Christopher (Chris) Lidard, is a student at Princeton University and is active in a wide variety of youth-accessible service activities. Chris is a regular volunteer and a social media assistant with the Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), an organization that has coordinated local leaders and organizations to facilitate a targeted and collaborative community response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris is also an active volunteer with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, where he has worked with their Young Adults in Church service youth group, a mission trip with Habitat for Humanity, and is a delivery coordinator for their Casserole Ministry to local shelters. Chris is an active member and senior leader in the Howard County Association of Student Councils, Centennial National Honor Society, and Centennial Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and he is a proud Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 944.

R. Matthew McKinney

R. Matthew McKinney currently works in the Maryland Department of Labor after serving as the Chief of Staff with the Peace Corps. In addition to political campaigns at the state and federal levels, he has held staff positions with two Members of Congress, and served as Special Assistant to the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of Interior. He has worked on several different campaigns in Maryland, and has also worked as Campaign Manager for Florida Congressman, Cliff Stearns.

Matt served as the Regional Director for the Hogan for Governor Campaign in Montgomery County, Maryland. Once Hogan was elected Governor, Matt took on the role as Special Assistant to the Governor in the Appointments Office. Originally from Alabama, he now resides in Annapolis. Matt holds a Bachelors of Political Science from Samford University.

Lt. John P. Neary

Lt. John P. Neary serves as fire lieutenant for the Frederick County Department of Fire Rescue Services. He is also the president of the Career Fire Fighters Association of Frederick County, IAFF Local 3666. Additionally, Mr. Neary serves as a soccer coach for the Middletown Valley Athletic Association.

John Palinski

John Palinski is a philanthropy officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore focused on the university’s inclusive community engagement work in West Baltimore. Having spent most of his career in youth development, John previously served as executive director of Seeds 4 Success and BEST Kids and as DC Director of Youth Service Opportunities Project.  He is an AmeriCorps Alumnus (Public Allies Chicago, ‘03) and strongly committed to expanding national service and volunteer opportunities throughout Maryland. He resides in Annapolis with his wife, Anne-Marie, and son, Nick.

Samélia Okpodu-Pyuzza

Samélia Okpodu-Pyuzza is the Executive Project Manager at Chesapeake Church Ministries, where she manages projects for the CEO of End Hunger in Calvert County, Inc, a premier charity in Southern Maryland, and serves as the Director of Women’s Empowerment for Honduras Compassion Partner’s, Inc. As a former biomedical researcher, Samélia uses her passion for research and program development to effect lasting change for the advancement of women globally. She is an AmeriCorps Alumnus (Volunteer Maryland, ’17) and currently serves as a member of the Volunteer Maryland Alumni Committee.

Candyce Harris

Candyce Harris is an Air Force veteran and a Management and Program Analyst for the United States Department of Agriculture.  She has also served as the Director of Development for non-profit organizations with an emphasis in fundraising, marketing/media, and volunteer management.  Her commitment to volunteerism spans over 20 years where she served in many capacities that ranged from board memberships that addressed the needs of disadvantaged populations, to advocating for financial literacy and food deficiency, to delivering meals and running errands for sick, elder, and hospice patients to name a few.

Juan Leo Salazar

Leo is the owner of a business in the metropolitan area, in the past has served as procurement advisor consultant for the governor of Maryland, US commission of minority business, White House appointed, White House Presidential personnel, US Department of Education appointed, special assistant for public affairs ( James B. Williams, assistant secretary) , committee on hate & violence (Montgomery County). Mr. Salazar has been a consultant for political campaigns nationwide, and a loyal member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Dave Slaughter

David (Dave) Slaughter is the President of the M. Luis Construction and M. Luis Products Companies headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.  M Luis is the only woman and minority-owned Construction Services and Asphalt Manufacturing business in the United States.  In addition to his duties at M. Luis, Dave is currently Chairman of the board of directors for The American Red Cross of Central Maryland.  Dave serves on the board executive committee for the Maryland Asphalt Association and served on the executive committee of Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association and was President of the board of directors for the Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association.

Carol Ann Smith

Carol Ann Smith is an Assistant Attorney General beginning her 30th year of legal practice in Maryland in the field of Child Welfare and Human Services. Since July 1999, Ms. Smith has served as counsel to the Department of Human Services (DHS). She represents DHS in civil actions against the State of Maryland in State and Federal court, as well as at the Office of Administrative Hearings. Assistant AG Smith provides advice and counsel specific to the Social Services Administration within DHR on matters relating to child protective services, foster care, juvenile court proceedings, and policies related to families and children served by the twenty-four Maryland department of social services. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Ms. Smith was counsel to the Baltimore City Department of Social Services’ Legal Services’ Intake Unit for two years. Prior to that, she worked for nine years at Maryland Legal Aid both in the Baltimore City Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) Unit and Legal Aid’s Howard County general practice office representing low-income clients. Ms. Smith has served on numerous committees related to child welfare and has helped shape Maryland’s system for serving vulnerable populations.   

Jack Spaulding

Jack Spaulding is the Executive Director of Strategy at Planit, a Baltimore marketing and communications firm. He has developed brand strategy, mission and vision messaging, and strategic communications campaigns for Fortune 500 corporations as well as many local organizations, including Johns Hopkins, SourceAmerica, Kennedy Krieger Institute, St. Vincent de Paul, the Family Tree, UMBC, SECU, and CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

Jerome Tennille

Jerome Tennille is the Manager of Social Impact & Volunteerism for Marriott International. Jerome is also an independent consultant and advisor in the subject matter of Sustainability and Social Impact. Prior to that Jerome held the position of Senior Manager of Impact Analysis and Assessment for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a national organization that offers help, hope, and healing to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in America’s armed forces. Jerome also served on the board of directors of Peace Through Action USA for four years and also serves on the PsychArmor Institute Advisory Committee for the School of Volunteers & Nonprofits. Jerome holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in operations management and a Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. Jerome is designated as Certified in Volunteer Administration and is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Alison Vogrin

Alison Vogrin works for the Baltimore County Department of Aging as the director of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services from the University of Delaware. Her passion for civic engagement started during her 1-year term as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Since that time she has spent the past 13 years in volunteer management. In addition, she also served 5 years on the board of the Maryland Council of Directors of Volunteers Services (MCDVS). Currently, she is involved with animal rescue activities, supports fundraising activities for a hospice in Tanzania, and is the Associate Chair for an organization that provides home modifications to the marginalized.  

Ex-officio Members

Steve McAdams, is the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives

Lora Grady

 

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