Team
Meet our Team
To connect with a specific team member, click their name
Lura Hammond serves in a part time capacity as the Executive Director for the Association of Leadership Programs. In 2003, she retired after 12 years serving as the Executive Director for Camp Summit, Inc. (Dallas, TX) a camp for individuals with disabilities. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director for the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce (Mesquite Texas). Her love for leadership programs began during her time in Leadership Garland, TX. She then formed Leadership Mesquite, and later graduated from Leadership Metrocrest and ultimately from a regional program, Leadership North Texas.
She is also a founding board member the Association of Texas Leadership Programs (1990) The Metroplex Leadership Network (1991); and the Sundown Exchange Club (1988). Her involvement in the National Exchange Club earned her national recognition for organizing three local service clubs within the North Texas area. She has served on numerous boards over the years earning awards and recognition from the State and National PTA; Business Women of the Year, Business and Professional Women of Northeast Dallas County; and Texas Economic Development Commission. She is a Past President of TxACOM, a Texas Association of Conventions, Events and Meeting Professionals. She has also served on various committees at her local church.
Along with a degree in Business Management from Stephen F. Austin University, she also holds an IOM (Institute for Organizational Management) and Certification in Non Profit Management. She (and her husband) are accreditated PVMs (Professional Vendor Members) of the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
Jo Ellen joined ALP as Membership Director in 2016, after 11 years as Executive Director of Leadership Winston-Salem. Prior experience spanned corporate banking leadership roles in IT, Knowledge Management, Work/Life programs, and Learning & Development, as well as independent consulting. A graduate of Florida State University, Jo Ellen now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband Todd, enjoying hiking, biking, and camping, often with their two grown daughters.
Mary Ligon joined ALP as the Resources Director in January 2018. She graduated from Leadership Albany (Georgia) in 1990 and served as a volunteer in several roles with Leadership Albany including Board Chair of the Leadership Albany Alumni Association. Mary accepted the role of Executive Director in 2000 and retired in 2017. In 2016, She was recognized by ALP with the Preceptor Award. Mary is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development Regional Economic and Leadership Development Program as well as Locate South Georgia Leads Regional Leadership Program.
Mary has volunteered with a variety of organizations and served in leadership roles on numerous community boards and in her church. She is currently serving as chair of the Chehaw Park Authority. A past President of the Dougherty County Rotary club and past Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6900, she currently serves as Rotary District 6900s District Grants Chair. Mary was named District 6900 Rotarian of the year in 2017 and was recently recognized by The Rotary Foundation with the Citation for Meritorious Service.
Established in 1994, Mary maintains her consulting business, Mary Ligon, etc. LLC. Previously with IBM as a Systems Engineer and Marketing Representative, Mary has a BBA degree from Georgia Southern University in Management/Information Systems. Mary and her husband, Jim, have two adult daughters.
Denise Warren is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science minoring in Business Admin. She lives in Arlington, TX and has been active in leadership development for 15 years with Leadership On The Move!