Leonard Steps In

Wanda Leonard Voted In As New Mayor Of Upper Marlboro

“I am humbled and honored to have been elected as the town’s new Mayor,” Wanda Leonard said July 2. “My goals are two-fold. I certainly want to continue the great work started by my predecessor, Tonga Turner. I also want to continue to move Upper Marlboro forward with my own vision of what we can become by working together.”

Leonard, who has served as a Commissioner in the Town of Upper Marlboro for the past 18 months, was elected President of the Board of Commissioners (Mayor) for the Town of Upper Marlboro in a special meeting last night (Monday, July 1). She succeeds Tonga Turner, who resigned last month to spend more time with her husband and their young sons, and to focus on her professional career.

Leonard was sworn into office by the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. She becomes only the second African American Mayor in the town’s 313-year history. She will serve alongside fellow Commissioner Linda Pennoyer.

Leonard says her mantra is “service before self.” Realizing that the Town of Upper Marlboro needed visionary leadership and fresh perspectives on what town residents needed to enhance their living experience, and what matters are truly important to the residents, initially led her to run for public office in January 2018.

Some of Leonard’s community outreach accomplishments include being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in the District of Columbia; a board member for Family Advocacy and a Donate Life Ambassador with Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC); an alum of the Prince George’s County Police Citizens Academy; a Prince George County Police Volunteer in Police Services (VIPS); president of the Greater Upper Marlboro Maryland Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); and a member of the longstanding Clinton, MD CERT team.

The community leader has served on the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Hometown Emergency Preparedness Ad hoc Committee (HEPAC). Additionally, she is a Fellow with the University of Maryland 2019 Academy for Excellence in Local Governance; a member of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association (PGCMA); a member of the Prince George’s County Municipal Elected Women Association; a member of the Prince George’s County CSA 23 Leadership Council.

She is also a United States Army Reserve veteran.

According Upper Marlboro city administrators, Leonard is also a seasoned leader in the health care industry. She holds a Bachelor of Art in Business Administration, with an emphasis on management and a minor in finance, from the University of the District of Columbia.