Brown, Edwards Lacy, and Mersmann Earn Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) Designation
The Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) proudly recognizes Jeannine Brown, Fellowship Director at Leadership Triangle (NC), Samantha Edwards Lacy, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Engagement at Leadership Knoxville (TN), and Andrea Mersmann, Director, Cincinnati (OH) Regional Chamber Leadership Center, as the newest recipients of the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) designation.The Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) program was developed in response to membership feedback to provide extensive ongoing training opportunities for Community Leadership Program professionals. The CCLP designation provides Community Leadership Program professionals with an incentive to achieve excellence in professional performance with mastery of essential skills. The development of the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner program began in 2016, with the first CORE training course offered in 2019 in conjunction with the ALP National Conference held that year in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 23 Community Leadership professionals participated in the first cohort.
Over forty individuals, including Jeannine Brown, Samantha Edwards Lacy, and Andrea Mersmann, have completed the process, passed the certification exam, and earned the CCLP designation.
About Jeannine Brown, CCLP
Jeannine Brown is an experienced educator and nonprofit professional who views the world through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. She currently serves as the Fellowship Director at Leadership Triangle, which is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She takes pride in bringing compassion and empathy to building and sustaining relationships. Jeannine's skills include workshop facilitation, donor stewardship, engagement, and volunteer management.
She enjoys working with nonprofit organizations to create sustainable transformations to shift their organizational cultures and develop a climate of inclusion for ALL. Jeannine holds a Master's in Nonprofit Management through Drexel University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of N.C. at Greensboro. She is currently in the process of earning her Certified Community Leadership Practitioner designation through the Association of Leadership Programs. In her free time, Jeannine is working towards fluency in Spanish and hopes to travel to Spain in the near future.
About Samantha Edwards Lacy, CCLP
Samantha Edwards Lacy serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Engagement for Leadership Knoxville, where she leads Introduction Knoxville and the organization’s development office, marketing, communications, strategic partnerships, and events.
Samantha’s career reflects a deep commitment to building connections that strengthen the East Tennessee community. After several years with Leadership Knoxville early in her career, she transitioned into corporate sales with IMG College, the multimedia rights holder for Tennessee Athletics, while remaining deeply engaged in community service. She was a founding board member of Volunteer East Tennessee and helped establish the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Young Leaders Society.
Her dedication to community advancement later led her to a newly created role with Clayton-Bradley Academy, in partnership with Clayton Homes, where she developed and led the Office of Advancement.
In 2019, Samantha returned to Leadership Knoxville, bringing with her experience in corporate sales, development, and nonprofit leadership. In her current role, she works to elevate partnerships and engagement initiatives that align with the organization’s mission to build stronger communities through servant leadership. Beyond her professional work, Samantha remains actively involved in civic and philanthropic leadership. She serves on the board of directors for the East Tennessee Historical Society, is a member of the University of Tennessee’s Chancellor’s Associates, serves on the board development committee for the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, and participates in Women’s Philanthropy for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
About Andrea Mersmann, CCLP
Andrea is the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Leadership Center Director, leading C-Change and Leadership Sprints programs, along with the Alumni Network and all Leadership Center events, including the annual Leadership Center Celebration. Andrea graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, specializing in Russian and Eastern European Studies, and from the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned her master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership.
Originally from Cincinnati, Andrea moved and grooved out west for 11 years before coming home to the town she loves. With a passion for connecting, growing, and imagining the possibilities, Andrea has found an amazing place within the Leadership Center. In her time outside of work, you will find her exploring and hanging out with her two super ninja kiddos, Marley and Boden.
Congratulations to Jeannine Brown, Samantha Edwards Lacy, and Andrea Mersmann on their significant achievement!
About the Association of Leadership Programs
The Association of Leadership Programs serves over 280 community leadership programs across the United States and beyond. The association strives to enhance the well-being of all communities through the work of community leadership programs. Founded in 2010, the mission of ALP is to strengthen the effectiveness of leadership programs and professionals. Authentic and organic community leadership development requires taking a critical look at situations, opportunities, and challenges our communities face through the lens of the entire community and pursuing a course that enhances the well-being of all.
Contact:
Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., CCLP
Director of Programs
programs@alpleaders.org