Board of Directors 2020 - 2021

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)

Heather Yeung • President

Heather Yeung is an attorney with Kagan, Stern, Marinello & Beard in Annapolis, 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.

Ruth Lamberty • President-Elect

Ruth Lamberty founded Adult Prep, LLC, a hands-on education company, after nearly 2 decades of marketing, communications and engagement work for various non-profit and for-profit entities. She began her career as a communications associate and rapidly progressed to the positions of Director of Marketing; and Director of Engagement and Communications, responsible for overseeing community outreach and meeting formerly unmet public needs. Ruth was twice recognized by her employers for her outstanding performance in these positions by receiving the Mensch (good person) Award and Professional Excellence Award for exceptional achievement. Ruth has trained teens and adults in the areas of message development, media representation, public speaking, online presence and presentation skills. She also volunteers with several community organizations where she helps shape programs for team building, community building and self-focused building. The creation of Adult Prep came after Ruth noticed an unmet need to better enable our children to stand on their own two feet when they leave home as young adults. This enriching of lives through the hands-on teaching of life skills focuses on rapid skills development in the area of independent living. Ruth received her B.S. from the University of Florida and has received numerous continuing education credits in related fields.

Ashley Lazarewicz • Past President

Ashley graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Salisbury University’s Purdue School of Business in 2007. She began her career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2007. Drawing from her 10 year career with the company, Ashley obtained experience in both administration and management on multiple platforms via our Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Edge, and Wealth Management lines of business. In 2020, Ashley joined Impact Capital Strategies as a Partner to align her business with the firm’s client care philosophy and their commitment to socially responsible investing. Her role as a Financial Advisor enables her to serve her clients as a fiduciary through comprehensive retirement, educational, and investment planning. Ashley and her husband, Steve, reside in Ellicott City, MD where they have two daughters and Goldendoodle, Ollie.

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.

Cynthia M. Campbell, EdD • Director of Scholarships

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.

Marci Brand • Director of Marketing & Communications

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.

Barbara Moyer • Director of Programming

Barbara is the Director of Marketing, Communications and Events for The Arc of Howard County where she brings her enthusiastic style to raising both funds and awareness for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County. Barbara’s mission, along with The Arc of Howard County’s, is to help people with disabilities live full and meaningful lives. Barbara received her B.A. degree in English Literature at Niagara University, NY and is a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan! Prior to working with The Arc of Howard County, Barbara was a Corporate Sales Trainer for Jenny Craig in NYC and New Jersey. Barbara has four children and currently resides in Woodstock, MD.

Nirit Roddy • Director of Membership

Feel amazing, buy new clothes, and get off the diet roller coaster once and for all! I’m Nirit Roddy, the owner of Fit With Nirit. I have a 12 week coaching program where women lose 15+ lbs. without dieting or killing themselves in the gym. I provides women with the education, nutrition strategy, individual workout plan and most importantly, daily accountability and support so that they stay in shape forever! I am a certified trainer and nutritionist. I have 2 boys and a husband that I love spending time with. free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Carole Suser • Director of Hospitality

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.