About
Based on recommendations from the Interfaith Advisory Council (convened from January 2024-June 2025), the County Executive and the County Council voted to establish a permanent Interfaith Advisory Commission in order to advise the County Executive on how communities of differing belief systems can serve as trusted partners in advancing human rights, confronting hate and intolerance, promoting dialogue, and strengthening the County's response to community needs. The Commission acts as a platform for education and awareness and advises on best practices for the integration of traditions, bridging divides between diverse communities, encouraging dialogue, combatting extremism, and building trust.
In addition, the Commission will look towards collaborating and coordinating on shared social issues addressed in the IAC's Plan, including:
- Health and wellness
- Economic development
- Education
- Workforce
- Environmental stewardship
- Veterans
- Older adults
- Food insecurity
- Crime and policing
- Transportation
- Youth engagement
Commission Information
The Interfaith Advisory Commission consists of a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 20 members.
Current Vacancies (Updated April 22, 2026)
- Faith Community Representatives (10-12)
- The Commission will include a minimum of ten members and a maximum of twelve members who shall represent a diverse variety of belief systems.
- Adult Community Representatives (2-4)
- The Commission will include at least two members of the general public where consideration may be given to individuals who may have lived experiences tied to key issues including housing insecurity, disability, and immigration.
Upcoming Vacancies (applications open)
- High School Student Representative (term runs from 7/1/26 to 6/30/27)
- LaKeisha McClendon (she/her), Office of Human Rights and Equity Administrator
- Liv Alanis Myers (they/them), Executive Secretary
The Interfaith Advisory Commission will hold quarterly public meetings, anticipated to begin in fall of 2026.
The Commission's duties include:
- Acting as a bridge between the County and faith communities by identifying opportunities for collaboration, communication, and shared problem solving on issues of public concern;
- Providing guidance on how faith communities can help expand access and increase accessibility to County services and supports for residents experiencing vulnerability, including, without limitation, housing instability, food insecurity, health disparities, disability, and economic hardship;
- Recommending inclusive, culturally responsive practices that help County agencies and public-serving institutions better engage diverse religious and belief communities; and
- Encouraging education, dialogue, and public awareness that celebrate religious diversity, counter misinformation and fear, and strengthen social cohesion across communities.
Apply to serve on the Commission through the Howard County Boards and Commissions application portal. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for consideration. If selected, the appointment will be forwarded to the County Council for their review and confirmation. For more information, please review the information on the Boards and Commissions website.
Application Materials
To complete the Apply to Serve application, you must include your redacted resume and cover letter. Personal information collected throughout the application form is used for internal verification purposes only. However, the redacted resume and letter of interest may be made public through the County Council process.
Therefore, the following instructions help us protect your privacy and expedite the process:
Redacted Resume
- Should include: your name, relevant experience
- Should not include: home address, phone number(s), email
- You may choose to include or exclude specific details such as cities or sales numbers at your discretion.
Letter of Interest
- Brief letter explaining why you want to serve and how you see yourself contributing.
- Please indicate which qualification you may meet.
Interfaith Advisory Council
In 2024, County Executive Calvin Ball created the County's first-ever Interfaith Advisory Council (IAC) to help combat hate around Howard County, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The 16-member council was tasked with providing recommendations on best practices to address religious intolerance in the county, as well as social and community issues, and assist at-risk populations who are suffering from homelessness, addiction, mental illness, domestic violence, food insecurity and poverty.
In its final report (submitted May of 2025), the IAC expressed the need for continued work to address issues of intolerance facing faith communities and to further coordinate services to address the needs of at-risk populations in Howard County.
- Pastor Tyrone Jones - Chair
- Reverend Paige Getty - Vice Chair
- Rabbi Craig Axler
- Naresh Chandra Das
- Reverend Rafe A. Ellis, MA, MBA-OD
- Pastor Dewaine Frazer
- Rabbi Gordon Fuller
- Rabbi Jennifer Greenspan
- Rabbi Susan Grossman
- Reverend Dae Park
- Reverend Denise Schiavone
- Reverend Mary Sulerud
- Reverend Dr. Robert Turner
- Pastor Mandy Sayers
- Elder Gary Wimbish
- Zunaira Awan
- Dr. Fevzi Sarac
The Interfaith Advisory Council met between February, 2024 and January, 2025.