Alumni Spotlight: Maureen McManus

What was your favorite class day? 

My favorite class day was Arts & Culture Day. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a jam-packed day of fun. Getting outside our comfort zones at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts and then performing for the students at Hornsby Elementary was such a delightfully silly way to bond. The kids asked incredibly thoughtful questions about our careers and made us feel like movie stars! Learning about Augusta’s film industry was fascinating, and watching the mockumentary about our class was the perfect end to the day.

How did LA impact your professional life, career trajectory, and community involvement? 

I was born and raised in Augusta and thought I knew a lot of people, but I went into Leadership Augusta personally knowing only three or four people in my class. What a joy it was to get to know every one of them. I came away with connections I’ll value for life. Professional opportunities are wonderful, but having the right people to call when you want to get something done for your community is truly invaluable.

Favorite memory from your class year?  

I loved that we went to Columbus for our retreat. Getting out of town gave us the chance to focus completely on Leadership Augusta and really get to know one another. But if I have to pick one specific memory, like I’m sure many LA alum would agree, it has to be the talent show. I don’t think any of us will ever forget it!

What advice do you have for people interested in participating in LA? 

Get out of your comfort zone! You’ll probably find people you click with pretty quickly, but make an effort to branch out. I tried to sit with different people each class day, and it made such a difference in getting to know everyone. Some of the best connections come from simply choosing a different seat.