Executive Alliance Announces 2025/26 Board QuickStart Readiness Program Cohort

Kristin Wagonblott • August 13, 2025

The 2025/26 Board QuickStart Readiness Cohort has been solidified. 


Our Board QuickStart Readiness Program is NEW to Executive Alliance this year. The Board QuickStart Program is a focused, high-impact, six-month experience designed specifically for senior-level executive women who are ready to launch a serious campaign for their first compensated corporate board seat within the next two years. Combining expert-led virtual instruction with personalized mentoring from experienced board leaders, the program equips participants with practical tools, strategic insight, and high-level network needed to break into the boardroom.


Congratulations 2025/2026 Cohort


Donyel Bacon

Principal Technical Leader, 

Department of Defense





Stephanie Bagley

President, 

SCB Management Solutions, Inc.


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Shelly Elliott

President, 

North America, Holmatro, Inc.


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Aileen Eskildsen

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, 

Ellin & Tucker


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Kris Hoellen

Executive Director,

B&O Railroad Museum



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Cynthia Leppert

Founder and Owner (Attorney), 

Law Office of Cynthia Leppert, LLC.


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Ann Quinn

Founder and CEO,

Quinn Strategy Group, Inc.


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Judy Smith

Chief Strategy Officer, 

Department of Commerce


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February 10, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2026 Media contact: Rebecca Snyder 443-768-3281 (cell) rebecca@executivealliance.org Executive Alliance names 64 companies to the Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation in Maryland BALTIMORE—Executive Alliance, which promotes women leaders in Maryland, has named 50 Maryland companies and non-profit organizations to its Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation. This award is designed to recognize and celebrate companies and organizations that are creative and supportive in recruitment, development, support and advancement of women in the workplace and corporate boards. Each Honor Roll award organization has AT LEAST 30% of their executive leadership AND 30% of their board of director seats held by women. The Honor Roll award raises the bar for women’s representation in the C-Suite and board room and is included in Executive Alliance’s Annual Census of Women Board Directors in Maryland. The Honor Roll Award ties into Executive Alliance’s Annual Census Report of Women Board Directors, which will be released at our Honor Roll event. All of the Honor Roll companies and non-profit organizations will be celebrated at Executive Alliance’s Honor Roll event, held Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at The Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel RaceTrack in Laurel, MD. For tickets and more information about the event, please click here . The event will feature a panel discussion of women’s career and board journeys by selected representatives of Honor Roll companies and a welcoming reception. The Executive Alliance Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation will be presented to:
By Kristin Wagonblott October 9, 2025
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Honorary Trustees play a vital role in shaping the future of women in board leadership. Each of our Trustees serves as a trusted advisor to participants in our QuickStart program, a six-month initiative that runs from September through March to prepare high-potential women who are members of Executive Alliance for their first corporate board seat. Led by executive board coach Suzanne Miglucci, the program delivers personalized coaching and practical strategies for board readiness.
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