Esther Newman, the founder and CEO of Leadership Montgomery, announced this afternoon that she will retire in September.
Newman, who turned 70 last year, started the organization 26 years ago. She is one of the most well connected people in Montgomery County—both through the force of her personality and the fact that Leadership Montgomery has more than 2,000 graduates and participants.
“The creation and development of Leadership Montgomery to where it is today has been my most important and cherished professional achievement,” Newman said in an email announcing her retirement. “To see so many people's lives transformed by our programs has exceeded anything I could ever have imagined.”
Through year-long and shorter programs, Leadership Montgomery teaches community and business leaders about the ins and the outs of the county.
Brad Colton, the Leadership Montgomery board chair, will lead the search for a new CEO, the email said.
