Distinguished Women Awards

Valerie Sheares Ashby began as the sixth president of UMBC on August 1, 2022. The first woman to serve in this role, she also holds a faculty appointment in UMBC’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Sheares Ashby joined UMBC from Duke University, where she had served since 2015 as dean of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. As dean, she led the development and implementation of strategic plans that resulted in significant new investments in faculty recruitment and development, philanthropy, and student engagement, and a realignment of operations that enhanced services and created operational efficiencies. Throughout, she consistently advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion as imperative to excellence in both teaching and research.

Prior to her tenure at Duke, Sheares Ashby chaired the chemistry department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) from 2012 to 2015. As a faculty member at UNC since 2003, she held numerous leadership positions and had experience at all levels of academic administration. She served on UNC’s Arts & Sciences Foundation Board of Directors and Research Advisory Council and chaired the university’s Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and the College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Diversity Task Force. She engaged in all aspects of the undergraduate educational experience as director of undergraduate studies in the chemistry department, and she directed the UNC National Science Foundation Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate. Sheares Ashby was instrumental in UNC’s collaboration with UMBC to launch the Chancellor’s Science Scholars Program, which was among the earliest replication pilots by a research university of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program.

She began her academic career in 1996 as an assistant professor at Iowa State University and was promoted to associate professor in 2002. At Iowa State, Sheares Ashby served as a mentor for the Iowa State University Program for Women in Science & Engineering, a summer research program for undergraduate and high school students.

As a researcher, Sheares Ashby has focused on synthetic polymer chemistry, with an emphasis on designing and synthesizing materials for biomedical applications such as X-ray contrast agents and drug delivery materials. She is the recipient of the National Science Foundation Career Development Award, DuPont Young Faculty Award, and 3M Young Faculty Award, as well as numerous teaching and service awards, including the UNC Chapel Hill General Alumni Association Faculty Service Award and the Bowman and Gordon Gray Distinguished Term Professorship for excellence in undergraduate teaching and research. In 2022, Women of Color Magazine named Sheares Ashby its Technologist of the Year.

She received her B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed postdoctoral research at Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz in Germany as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and NATO Postdoctoral Fellow.

Executive Vice President and Co-Founder and Managing Director, Nonprofit & SLED Practice of Hartman Executive Advisors.

Marie loves a good challenge and solving them is her sweet spot. First, she breaks what others see as insurmountable obstacles into manageable chunks. Then, she dedicates herself to achieving big, hairy, audacious goals. As one of the visionaries behind Hartman Executive Advisors, Marie and her husband, Dave, already knew back in 2004 what is now evident: technology can be a game-changer for business. Together, they took on a challenge that would have an industry-changing outcome: proving that the right technology can drive organizational success, have a positive net effect on a company’s bottom line and improve customer experiences.

With a lifelong passion for the nonprofit sector, Marie brings deep empathy and insight to her role as Hartman’s managing director for the nonprofit and SLED industries. She recognizes the unique challenges mission-driven organizations face and leads a team that helps humanity, industries, regions, and professions solidify their IT operations to effectively serve their stakeholders and meet their objectives. Known for her customer-first mindset, she is a trusted partner who fosters collaboration and champions her clients’ success at every step. 

Marie earned an MBA from the University of North Florida. She has a BS in economics and international business relations from American University. She is a board committee member with the United Way Central Maryland. Marie previously served on the Greenspring Weather Advisors board, Maryland State Comptroller’s Business Advisory Council and the Maryland Hospital Association Board’s Executive Committee. Marie is a three-time winner of The Daily Record's Top 100 Women award, as well as a winner of the SmartCEO  Brava! Award. She also received the Chairman's Award for Board Impact from the St. Agnes Hospital Foundation.

Jennifer [Jen] LaFrance is the head of digital marketing and engagement at United Way Worldwide, responsible for leading the global non-profit’s public-facing digital channels and strategies, including their flagship website, social media platforms, and national advertising campaigns. Her team’s purpose is to build brand relevance and commitment to support the mission of United Way by elevating their network of over1100 entities in 36 countries and highlighting powerful stories that can be shared and scaled to educate and inspire.

Prior to her current role, Jen’s career spanned over 25 years in leadership positions at long-standing institutions in the Baltimore area. She served as Vice President of Development at United Way of Central Maryland, where she led their partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, while leading Women United, a powerful group of advocates, supporters, and volunteers committed to improving greater Baltimore.

Jen spent over 15 years leading digital marketing and global strategy at McCormick & Company, designing their first enterprise-wide plan for growth and developing award-winning initiatives for their iconic brands. She built a team across continents to drive scale and community, balancing in-house capabilities with strong external partnerships. Under her leadership, McCormick became an employer of choice for digital talent in the U.S. and a recognized digital leader in the consumer-packaged goods [CPG] industry.

Some of her earliest leadership lessons were learned during her tenure at The Baltimore Sun as a front-line manager, where she was a driver of the transition to ‘print plus online advertising.’ This experience kick-started her interest in digital and her future career path.

Jen is a mentor and college campus speaker with the Association of National Advertisers’ Educational Foundation [AEF], and an active member of her community. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University, while working full-time as a mother of two and is a native of the Baltimore area. Jen has fond memories of the years she spent as a member of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, which not only taught her several life skills and helped her form early friendships but also served to reinforce many of the values she holds today. Jen and her husband live in Reisterstown, where they raised both of their sons, who are public school teachers in the region.

BIO COMING SOON!

Stacy Percoski is a Division Vice President at Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.  She has always been intrigued with construction and dedicated to sharing her passion for building with today’s youth.   She joined Whiting-Turner as a college intern in 1994 for two consecutive summers and after graduation joined the firm in 1996 as a Project Engineer.  Entering her 29th year at Whiting-Turner, she is currently a company executive that oversees a division comprised of two operating groups of engineers, managers, and superintendents.  Stacy’s construction experience is focused in the Science + Technology industry and has a depth of experience in pharmaceutical cleanroom construction.  Her proven track record in managing high-performing teams and understanding what it takes to engage with her employees and clients fuels her passion for building projects and relationships.

Stacy was born and raised outside of Baltimore in Southeast Baltimore County.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware.  Upon completion of her degree she went straight to work for Whiting-Turner.

In the community, Stacy actively participates in her Church and is a Small Group Leader to a class of third grade girls. She has previously served on the Board of Directors for St. Elizabeth’s School (Baltimore City) and was actively involved in both the Leadership and Fundraising committees.  She is also a member of ISPE (International Society of Professional Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers) NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

She is passionate about introducing construction and engineering to today’s youth and exposing them to all the opportunities that construction can provide.  She wants to share her enthusiasm for the industry with others, especially young women to help break down the barriers that construction is an industry just for men.

She is married to Justin Percoski, who also works in the construction industry, and she is the mother of two dynamic children, Hannah, her 19-year old Bio-Medical Engineering Major at North Carolina State University and Claire, her 15-year softball player.

Leslie Simmons is executive vice president and chief operating officer of LifeBridge Health, with oversight of Sinai Hospital, Grace Medical Center, Carroll Hospital, Northwest Hospital and Levindale Geriatric Center and Hospital. She also has systemwide responsibility for pharmacy, laboratory/pathology and imaging. Ms. Simmons also leads LifeBridge Health’s Quality, Risk Management, Patient Experience and Infection Prevention.

Ms. Simmons joined Carroll Hospital in October 2000 as vice president of nursing and was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2010. She rose to president of the hospital in 2013 and then completed the merger of Carroll Hospital into LifeBridge Health in 2015.

After earning her associate degree in nursing from Anne Arundel Community College, Ms. Simmons earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Management Administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Ms. Simmons is the immediate past chair of Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community. Ms. Simmons has held leadership positions in organizations including Carroll Community College, Y of Central Maryland, Notre Dame of Maryland University and Maryland Hospital Association. She is currently a member of the American Hospital Association's Committee on Behavioral Health.

The Maryland Daily Record has recognized Ms. Simmons three times in its annual list of Top 100 Women in Maryland, placing her in its Circle of Excellence, also Daily Record Women to Watch, Top 30 Healthcare Executives, Health Care Power List and she is a 2023 ICON Award recipient.

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