Leadership Delaware appoints new officers and board members

Leadership Delaware Inc. recently announced the appointment of its new chair and vice chair, as well as three new board of directors members.

Stepping into the position of chair is Joel M. Brown II. For the last three years, Brown served as vice chair and played a pivotal role in LDI’s leadership transition. A graduate of LDI’s class of 2016, he is the first LDI alumnus to become board chair.

Vice Chair Bianca Fraser-Johnson has been a dedicated member of the board of directors and advisory board, and she also is an alumna of the LDI program, graduating in 2010.

“It is an absolute honor to serve as the chair of the board for Leadership Delaware,” said Brown. “As a proud alum and board member, I know how this program and organization can positively impact developing leaders and our communities. I look forward to the opportunity to support Jen Cohan, the LDI team, board and alumni to continue the tradition of exceptional leadership.”

Three new board of directors members are Patti Grimes, Terry Murphy and Eugene Young Jr.

“We have a stellar lineup of leadership on our board of directors as well as our newly elected officers and board members from across the state,” said Jen Cohan, Leadership Delaware CEO. “We have a very exciting year ahead with the new LDI Class of 2023 as well; they may be the best class ever.”

Grimes is executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. Based in Selbyville and serving the entire Delmarva Peninsula, the foundation’s purpose is to create opportunities that elevate the human spirit. Grimes is a fierce advocate for the arts and passionately believes in the impact the arts can have on quality of life for residents and visitors, in addition to being a source of hope and joy for the community. She leads the organization in building and sustaining relationships with the communities the foundation serves while overseeing programming at the Freeman Arts Pavilion, formerly known as the Freeman Stage, which has had an economic impact of over $100 million for the local community since its first performing season in 2008. Grimes also serves in leadership roles for a number of organizations across the state, including vice chair for both Delaware Technical Community College and the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement.

Murphy was appointed president and chief executive officer of Bayhealth Inc., and president and chief executive officer of Bayhealth Medical Center Inc., in October 2009, after holding previous titles as Bayhealth Medical Center executive vice president and chief operating officer, and vice president of Bayhealth’s southern region. Murphy is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Bayhealth Kent and Sussex hospitals. He currently serves as chair of the Bayhealth Medical Center board, vice chair of the University of Delaware board of trustees, and a member of the Delaware Business Roundtable. Murphy is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is the Delaware delegate and a member of the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board - Region 3.

Murphy received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Belmont Abbey in 1982 and a master’s degree in health services administration from the George Washington University in 1985.

Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, was appointed to his current position by Gov. John Carney in May 2021. In cooperation with other state agencies and advocates, Young drives DSHA's mission to provide and assist others to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. Prior to his appointment, Young served as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and co-founded Network Delaware, a grassroots, member-led organization of community members, leaders, organizers and activists joining together to bring real, sustainable change to the state.

LDI is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008, with the mission to recruit and mentor the best and brightest outstanding Delawareans who can and will transform their communities and the state. The LDI program offers a series of issue-oriented forums and experiences based on the belief that knowledge is a key element and prime motivator of leadership. Leaders with integrity, vision, knowledge and the ability to make a positive impact within their communities are desperately needed in Delaware and throughout the United States. In fact, the need for principled leaders has rarely been greater.

To learn more, go to leadershipdelaware.org.