Board of Directors 2021 - 2022

BWN functions on volunteer effort. Over one-third of the membership volunteers in some capacity. Participants find that committee involvement enhances their membership investment, enabling them to form closer relationships and achieve greater recognition within the group. BWN committees include: Hospitality, Marketing, Membership, Programs and Scholarship. A board director oversees each committee.

(View the names of our Past Presidents)

Ruth Lamberty  •  President

Ruth founded Adult Prep, LLC, a hands-on coaching and education firm, after nearly 2 decades of communications and engagement work for various entities. Ruth coaches in the areas of emotional wellness; career and management development; failure to launch; ADHD and executive functioning challenges, life balance and prioritization; teen development and life skills; academic success; family communication; and team facilitation.

Fueling her passion for the special needs community, Ruth teaches transitional classes for young adults with special needs. She also volunteers with several community organizations where she helps shape programs for team engagement, community building and self-focused initiatives. Ruth and her husband live in Baltimore city with their fur baby Dash and not far from their two young adult daughters. Learn more and reach out at www.adultprep.com.

Marci Brand  • President-Elect

In 1990, Marci founded Creative Marketing Concepts, Inc., an outsource marketing department for owners, developers and managers of apartment communities. The company soon became a “go to” resource for anyone needing marketing consulting, trouble shooting, training and marketing assistance (both print and digital). In 2020, Marci and her all female team of talented marketing warriors celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary by starting a division dedicated to assisting small to mid size businesses to grow and thrive. Creative Solutions CMC provides the advantage of 30+ years of marketing and business development experience combined with a track record of innovative problem solving skills.

In 2020, Marci also trained and certified as a High Performance Coach and now helps clients discover the clarity needed to get to the next level of performance in their business and personal lives.

Passionate about helping women achieve their goals, Marci was named an Emerging Leader by the SBA in 2018 and most recently was nominated for the Forbes 50 over 50, celebrating women who have taken on new challenges and new directions after the age of 50.

Heather Yeung • Past President

Heather Yeung is an attorney with Davis, Agnor, Rappaport & Skalny in Columbia, Maryland. She and her firm offer legal services to small-to-medium sized local businesses with everything from start-up and formation to payment disputes, employment and HR assistance, and corporate matters. Heather has been named as a Rising Star by the Super Lawyers publication in both Maryland and Washington, D.C. for the past five years. In addition to her work with BWN, she is a supporter of the Howard County Conservancy and is a member of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Howard County Bar Association. Heather grew up on the family farm in northern Harford County, but now lives in Columbia with her husband and two young sons and is proud to call Howard County her home.

Patricia Livingston • Treasurer

Patricia is a Vice President of Business Development for Howard Bank where she manages the relationships of small to middle market businesses throughout Howard County.  She prides herself in providing a high level of personal service which is confirmed in the long relationships built with her clients, many of which she says, “have become like family”.  Her professional motto is:  “You don't just need a Bank, you need a Banker!"

Patricia has lived and worked in Howard County for almost 25 years along with her husband Glenn and 2 teenage sons, Bradley & Grant.  In her down time she enjoys cooking (and eating!), playing piano and guitar and gardening.  Patricia can be reached at plivingston@howardbank.com. 

Laura Barrett-Nutting • Secretary

Laura Barrett-Nutting, MBA, BSN, RN, is a wellness and certified cannabis nurse who brings over 20 years of experience helping patients cope with critical illness and chronic disease. Her enthusiasm for wellness and integrative medicine led her to explore the multiple medical cannabinoid options available. Nurse Laura has worked in each of the plant touching cannabis fields: grow, processing and dispensaries, as well as, sales, marketing and compliance. Nurse Laura works with providers, patients, caregivers and dispensary staff to educate, inform, and collaborate to find the best options for improving quality of life. asknurselaura.com

Elisha Aguilar • Communications Chair

Elisha Aguilar, LMT has been practicing massage therapy for nearly ten years.She owns Columbia Massage Clinic, where she specializes in pain relief. She enjoys helping clients feel their best by providing integrative massage therapy for the purpose of pain relief, athletic event preparation, and overall wellness. Columbia Massage Clinic recently became credentialed to bill health insurance plans when applicable. Elisha is a military spouse and wanted the chance to positively impact the health of others, and to work doing something she enjoyed, no matter where the military took her family.

Outside of the office, Elisha enjoys spending time with her family. Relaxing at home with her husband and children (human and canine), walking, and checking out the beautiful Maryland parks are some of her favorite pastimes. She also loves to travel and has an ever growing bucket list.

Cynthia M. Campbell, EdD  • Scholarship Chair

Cynthia has over 25 years of experience as an educator and editor, which she brings to her work as Principal Consultant of Gold Apple Services LLC. Her credentials include a Bachelor of Education in elementary education, a Master of Arts, and a Doctor of Education, where she studied adult learning and teacher professional development. Gold Apple Services specializes in making technical information clearer for lay audiences, educational consulting, and general editorial support. Cynthia Campbell is also a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant to help local organizations adopt best practices in nonprofit management.

Cynthia and her husband moved to Howard County in 2000. She has worked with a local adult literacy program and serves on various boards including the Maryland Association for Adult, Community and Continuing Education and the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. She especially enjoys working with the BWN Scholarship Foundation to expand opportunities for local women.

Anika Baty-Mills  •  Programming  Chair

Anika Baty-Mills is the Publisher and Owner of Columbia Inspired Magazine. Columbia Inspired Magazine is a digital publication born out of a desire to create connection(s) with, to, and for the community of Columbia and Greater Howard County. Anika understands that there is so much more to Columbia than its great school system and beautiful neighborhoods. Highlighting the local businesses, influential people, a resident and/or organization that the community may be unaware of is the magazine’s bread and butter. A community where everyone is welcome truly speaks to Anika. However, this dream cannot come to fruition without creating opportunities for the stories of the wonderful people, the beautiful spaces, and the exciting events happening in Columbia and Greater Howard County!

Carole Suser  •  Hospitality Chair

Carole Suser is a local publisher and market manager in Howard County. Her role includes partnering with the best businesses and services in the area, showcasing them and building their brands affinity with community. Her mission is to bring people together through a positive, relevant, family-friendly magazine. In Carole’s 30+ years as an entrepreneurial business owner she has opened new businesses from scratch and grown them to success.

Her success has been rewarded both financially and as recipient of numerous awards from contemporaries and community members. Knowing what it takes to start, nurture and grow your business is the key. Today Carole shares tips with her business partners helping them put the best marketing practices in place easily and effectively. Carole lives in Clarksville with her husband, daughter, two cats and dog Shasta. When she is not working, Carole enjoys the outdoors, taking Shasta on her doggie playdates and her role as chauffeur for her teen daughter.

Lana Wimberley-Bowman  •  Membership Retention Chair

Lana's passion is financial literacy to encourage positive financial behaviors and develop financial empowerment through training, one-on-one mentoring and story telling. After retiring as a computer scientist and cybersecurity professional, she started her company, Generational Wealth and Wisdom. They strive to be a vibrant presence in the community serving as a resource to improve people’s circumstances and help individuals reach their financial goals.

Lana authored of Brandon and Piggly the Piggy Bank, which helps parents, teachers and counselors teach children money lessons and create positive money habits early in children’s life that will last a lifetime. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science, held the designation of Certified Information System Security Professional and Certified Authorization Professional and received a Master’s Certification in Project Management as well as Maryland Master Money Mentoring Certification.

Audra Whitelock  •  Member-at-Large

Audra is a cabi Stylist. cabi is an innovative boutique fashion brand that brings style and beauty to women through personalized styling experiences. She works with women 1 to 1 or in small groups helping them find their perfect style within the cabi brand. She has a Bachelors from the University of Maryland, College Park in Fashion Merchandising and joined the cabi team in 2015.

She also works as Finance Manager for Frisco Tap House and Reckless Shepherd Brewing Company located in Columbia, MD. She has been a resident of Ellicott City for 17 years where she lives with her husband Keith. She has two sons, Sean who lives in Baltimore working for CMS and Chad who lives in Mountain View, CA working for Tesla.

Gaby Mace  •  Next Gen Advisory Member

Dr. Gabby Mace, DPT is a doctor of physical therapy and mobile physical therapist at Pioneer PT. Gabby is an avid hiker, runner, and loves outdoor activities. As an outdoor enthusiast herself, Gabby loves treating outdoor athletes and provides extensive knowledge of movement, injury prevention, individual workout/rehab plan to get her clients back to the activities they love. In addition to serving her clients as a physical therapist, Gabby is a coach and mentor to physical therapy students and has a podcast she started in grad school. Gabby currently lives in Laurel and loves all that Howard County has to offer.

Jenn Gruber  •  Cohorts & Clubs Advisory Member

Jenn Gruber, ACC, CPC, is a life coach specializing in transitions and family relationships. Jenn loves working with overwhelmed women who wish they had more time and energy to enjoy their lives and the people they love, helping them gain clarity on what they really want and need. She partners with them to create and implement realistic, achievable action plans, incorporating her expertise in communicating effectively and establishing healthy boundaries. Through her practice, Jenn Gruber Coaching, she enjoys providing one-on-one and group coaching, leading workshops and support groups, and facilitating conversations around sensitive topics. An astute listener who’s passionate about finding meaningful connection in both her personal and professional life, Jenn loves nothing more than long, leisurely, laughter-filled conversations with her husband and three young adult children - preferably over a great meal! To learn more, please visit www.jenngruber.com.