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2023 Community Leader of the Year

Isiah (Ike) & Catherine Leggett

Ike & Catherine Leggett are the very definition of community leaders having served in broad and diverse ways over many years. Ike Leggett served three consecutive terms as Montgomery County Executive (2006-2018).  In 2016 he was President of Maryland Association of Counties and President of County Executives of America. Before his election as County Executive, Leggett served as an At-Large member on the County Council from 1986-2002, and as Council President three times.  From 2002-2004, Ike Leggett served as Chair of the Maryland State Democratic Party.

Ike has served as a board member on a host of civic and community organizations. Currently, Leggett serves as chair of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board, member of the Universities at Shady Grove Board of Advisors, Vice Chair, Maryland 250 Commission, and a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland.

Catherine is a member of the Society of Human Resources and was recognized with the Human Resources Professional Excellence Award and the Human Resources Achievement Award. She serves as a Board Member for Montgomery Hospice, Chair of Maryland State Commission for Public Art, a Board Member of Strathmore Music Center, Olney Theater Center and on the Advisory Councils for the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, the Montgomery County Family Justice Center and the Center for Adoption and Support Services. Catherine is a former member of the Boards of Imagination Stage, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council. She proudly served her community as the First Lady of Montgomery County from 2006-2018.

Ike has received numerous awards and honors during his many years of public service including his selection as a Washingtonian of the Year in 2015.  Additional awards include the Howard University’s and the Southern University’s, Distinguished Alumni Award; the George Washington University’s Fulbright Public Service Award; the National Breakfast of Champions Award; the Good Scout Award from the National Capital Area - Boy Scouts of America; and the 2019 White House Fellows John Gardner’s Legacy of Leadership

Ike holds four higher education degrees: Bachelor of Arts from Southern University, a Master of Arts degree and a Juris Doctorate degree from Howard University, and a Master of Laws from George Washington University.  Ike Leggett graduated from Southern University in 1967 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Catherine earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

 

Past Community Leader of the Year Awardees

 

2022: Kathleen Curtin

Christ Child Society

2021: Courtney Clark Pastrick

A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation

2020: Rev. Michael Conway, SDB

Don Bosco Cristo Rey

2019: Msgr. John Enzler

Catholic Charities

2018: Kathleen Weber

Sister of the Holy Cross

2017: Sandra Andreas McMurtie

2016: Michael C. Ridgway

The Shepherd Foundation

2015: Bill Whitaker

Washington Jesuit Academy