The Community Foundation of Howard County has announced that Alison Canning is the recipient of the foundation’s 2024 Leadership Council Award. Canning was presented with the Leadership Council Award at the foundation’s December 10 Annual Dinner & Celebration of Philanthropy.
The annual Leadership Council Award recognizes a next generation person (25-45 year old) who serves as a member of a nonprofit board in Howard County and has exemplified leadership and commitment to the organization and to the community. Nominated by the emerging leader’s organization, a grant of $1,000 is made to the nonprofit in the young leader’s name.
Canning is currently the board Chairperson of the Howard Community College Educational Foundation. Nominated by HCC Educational Foundation executive director, Anne Johnson, Canning has been a member of the board of directors since 2018.
“Since her start on the board, Alison has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities that set her apart as an outstanding board member,” said Johnson. “With more than 15 years of experience in finance at Morgan Stanley, coupled with her own philanthropic spirit, Alison has demonstrated unwavering dedication and deep commitment to our community. As a native to Howard County, Alison has lived in here most of her life, and is a graduate of Howard High School. She is also a current member of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County Advisory Board since 2010, serving as board chairperson from 2016-2018.”
Since assuming the role of HCC Education Foundation board chair in 2023, she leads a dedicated board of approximately 20 members, collaborating closely with the executive director and vice chairperson to drive the Foundation’s strategic initiatives. Canning’s leadership is characterized by a unique combination of strategic foresight, generosity, and hands-on involvement that has advanced the Foundation’s mission and goals while positively impacting students at Howard Community College. During her tenure, Canning has led the board in raising over $2.5 million in support of the Foundation’s mission.
The Community Foundation’s Leadership Council was created in 2008 to extend the foundation’s outreach to the community, to enhance the foundation’s asset development capacity and to draw upon the knowledge, abilities and experience of key friends of the foundation. The founding members are the former chairs of the Board of Directors and invited stakeholders. Its membership consists of 15-20 persons with a demonstrated commitment to the foundation’s mission and a willingness to use their time and talents to further that mission.
Leadership Council Award History
2024 Alison Canning, Howard Community College Foundation
2023 Rashel Taylor, Columbia Housing Center
2022 Jessica Zuniga, Bridges to Housing Stability
2021 Matthew Plantz, Howard County Autism Society
2020 Erika Strauss-Chavarria, Columbia Community Care
2017 Yashica Maclin, Community Action Council
2016 Laura Yoo, HoCoPoLitSo
2015 Steve Poynot, Howard County Arts Council
2014 Alice Giles, League of Women Voters
2012 Laura Weathersbee, Domestic Violence Center
2011 Tom Coale, Voices for Children