On Friday, June 26, Mid-Shore Community Foundation held its Annual Board of Directors Meeting at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland.
The keynote speaker for the event was Beth Brewster, Supervisor of Food Services for Caroline County Public Schools, and Founder of the Chesapeake Culinary Center. A graduate of Washington College with more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Brewster shared insights from her work addressing food insecurity, workforce development, and community well-being through innovative partnerships and educational programs.
The event also included remarks from several grant recipients whose organizations are making a meaningful impact across the Mid-Shore region:
- Amy Horne, Executive Director of St. Michaels Community Center,
- LeAnn Rhodes-Ickes, Founder and Executive Director of Tides of Grace,
- Cheryl Beulah, Founder and Executive Director of Aaron’s Place, and
- Leslie Bishop, Founder of Midshore Meals til Monday.
Their stories demonstrated the power of local philanthropy and the significant role community partnerships play in addressing critical needs throughout the region.
The meeting highlighted the Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening communities across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties through philanthropy and nonprofit support.
“This meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the work of the Foundation and the collective impact we are making together,” said Buck Duncan, President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. “Fiscal Year 2026 was a strong year, total assets exceeded $200 million and $9.5 million was awarded in grants and scholarships. We are grateful for everyone who shares in our vision of building stronger communities across the Mid-Shore.”
Lastly, Duncan recognized directors whose terms recently concluded: George Fox, Heather Bacher, and Kevin Cashen, and welcomed four new members to the Foundation’s Board of Directors: Bill Christopher, Adam Jones, Liz Miller, and Vanessa Ringgold.
Bill Christopher, Dorchester County
Bill served as President/CEO of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the Chamber of Commerce, he was a Senior VP at McKesson Corporation where he led multiple development divisions during his 17 years with the Company. Before joining McKesson, he was the CIO for a large health care organization in the Mid-Atlantic region, and a Consulting Manager for Arthur Andersen & Co. Bill served on the Board of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation from 2019–2025.
Adam Jones, Caroline County
Adam is the Senior Relationship Manager and Commercial Lender at Queenstown Bank. Adam is currently involved with the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce, Caroline Council of Arts, Delmarva Christian Service Camp, and Caroline Lacrosse Association. He previously served on the Denton Utility Commission.
Liz Miller, Queen Anne’s County
Originally from the Philadelphia area, Liz attended the University of New England where she earned both a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree. In 2003, she made Maryland her home and in 2015, she joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor. Outside of her role with Edward Jones, Liz volunteers for local organizations that are near to her heart. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, wine tasting, boating, and trying new recipes with friends.
Vanessa Ringgold, Kent County
Vanessa, a native of Chestertown, recently retired to Kent County. She graduated from Chestertown High School and continued her education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Ohio State University. Her early career was in public relations working in Chicago, New York, and New Jersey. After devoting time to her growing family, she rejoined the workforce as a Technical Assistance Specialist with the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families. Vanessa serves on the Board of Directors for Sumner Hall and volunteers as a Community Ambassador for the Chesapeake Heartland Project at Washington College. Vanessa and her husband, Alvin, enjoy traveling and visiting their three adult children and grandchildren who reside in the Baltimore area.
For more information about the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, visit MSCF.org.
