Public Service Award Committee

Alex Wood '06

Alex graduated (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude) from Goucher in 2006 where he majored in history and was active in student government. Driven by his desire to give back for the many good things that he received during his time at the College and because of the joy it gives him to be involved, as an alumnus Alex has held numerous roles including serving on Goucher’s Board of Trustees and various College and AAGC committees and receiving the Jennifer Mitchell Reed ‘86 Young Alumni Award.

Professionally, Alex is a clinical social worker working as a psychotherapist in a private psychotherapy practice. Prior to his current profession, Alex spent a decade in the higher education sector, including several years at one of the Washington, DC based “Big Six” national higher education associations where he provided executive support and planned professional development sessions for new college presidents. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Social Work from The Catholic University of America.

His hobbies include being an ardent follower of politics (US, UK, and Ireland), reading, watching films, collecting stamps, photography, traveling, and learning how to play golf. He is a supporter of Manchester United, his Hogwarts house is Hufflepuff, and he believes that despite any imperfection Batman is the quintessential superhero. Alex also believes that good friends, unbounded curiosity, and most importantly a ready sense of humor are essential to a life well-lived. Alex resides in Baltimore County with his two dogs, Owney and Emma.

Noah Block '21

Noah Block is a transformative justice advocate who works to expand community-driven approaches that support systems-impacted adults and youth. Noah is the Advocacy Manager at ANCOR, national disability provider association where he develops their national grassroots advocacy strategy, leads their housing policy, and supports ANCOR’s Disability Champions Political Action Committee.

Before coming to ANCOR he worked in a variety of settings including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Redwood Community Services, and the California Association of Youth Courts. In all his work Noah seeks to connect communities' voices to policy outcomes.

Beyond his professional commitments, Noah serves as secretary on the Board of Directors of Youth Transforming Justice, a California-based nonprofit that promotes peer-to-peer trauma-informed restorative justice practices. Additionally, Noah is a board member at the California Association of Youth Courts, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth diversion programs.

Noah holds a degree in Peace Studies and American Studies from Goucher and received the Elizabeth Nuss Emerging Leader Award as a student.

Leda Fuller Favor '79

Favor has over 30 years’ experience in Human Resources and managerial experience that expands to both union and non-unionized settings. She possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Economics from Goucher College, and a Master’s degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois. She is currently Senior HR Manager for Maryland Auto Insurance and remains Owner and Principal Consultant for Creative HR Solutions, LLC. Favor ascended to positions within a wide range of Fortune 50 companies such as General Cable Company, Mobil Oil, Allied Signal, Raytheon, and Siemens Corporation. She provided leadership to multi-national and global-based accountabilities in Germany and China, focusing on competency assessment, career development, and delegation assignments, also focusing on safety and occupational health. During her tenure with Siemens, Favor was appointed HR business consultant for the CEO and the US based corporate office of Siemens AG based in Washington, DC.

She and her husband, Kevin Favor PhD., spend their vacation time traveling to locations in China, Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They are the parents of one married son, Trevor, who is currently employed with Siemens Corporation and is a graduate of Purdue University with a master’s in mechanical engineering. Trevor and wife Ebony are the proud parents of Leda and Kevin’s first grandson, Issac. Favor’s hobbies and pursuits include golf, exercising, dancing, reading and music. Favor has maintained her strong religious affiliation with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church throughout her life and is currently serving a leadership role as chairperson of the local Social Action committee. Other affiliations include the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), Society of Occupational Health Psychology, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and the Conference Board.

Julia Pollack '07 ’21

Julia is the Senior (according to the website) Director, Volunteer Leadership at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) – the Jewish Federation of Greater Boston. Her focus is on creating a comprehensive leadership development strategy that aids in building a strong pipeline of volunteer leaders for CJP and the community, while also identifying consistent, core leadership competencies needed for available opportunities. Her goal is to ensure that our leaders have a positive experience in their lifetime of volunteering by providing small cohort learning-based programming along with alumni touchpoints that allow for continued leadership engagement. Julia manages the following cohort programs along with other opportunities as they arise: Dewey Stone Kadimah Leadership Program, Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Series, Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet, Leadership Learning Circles, and the Cynthia and Leon Shulman Acharai Leadership Program.

Virginia Verdirame-McMahon '83, P'09

Virginia was a history major who went on to earn two master's degrees in education—one from Adelphi University and one from Long Island University. She was an elementary school teacher for 27 years, where the majority of that time was spent in the Port Washington School District in New York.

Now retired, she followed her other passion and started a horseback riding/training and boarding facility, Stargazer Farm, in East Woodstock, CT four years ago. Virginia Ride all four years at Goucher and in 1983 riders for the first time competed in the ANRC national Championship. Virginia was also one of the first Goucher Gophers.

In her spare time, she loves traveling with her husband Chris, and riding with her daughter Claire (Goucher ‘09) and her granddaughter, Lucy.