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Speakers

Sara Leishear

Corporal at Frederick Police Department

Sara Leishear, originally from Wichita, KS, relocated with her family to Frederick, MD, in 2001. Graduating with honors from Frederick Community College with two Associate Degrees, Sara emb...

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Sara Leishear

Sara Leishear, originally from Wichita, KS, relocated with her family to Frederick, MD, in 2001. Graduating with honors from Frederick Community College with two Associate Degrees, Sara embarked on her career in law enforcement, joining the Frederick Police Department in 2013.

Throughout her tenure, she has served in various capacities, including the Patrol Division, Outreach Unit, and as a member of the Crash Reconstruction Team. Currently holding the rank of a Corporal in the Special Operations Division, Sara oversees the Directed Patrol Team, Crisis Response Team, and FPD’s LEAD program, garnering national recognition for her innovative programs. Additionally, she contributes to the department as a member of the Drone Team, the Resiliency and Wellness Group, and as a Police Academy instructor.

Sara’s dedication has earned her three Life Saving Awards, two Unit Citations, and the esteemed 2023 Valor Award from the MD/DC/DE Moose Association. Notably, she recently represented the department alongside Chief Lando at a panel discussion on mental health and law enforcement on Capitol Hill.

Outside of work, Sara eagerly anticipates the arrival of her first child with her wife this summer, cherishing moments spent with loved ones.

Amber Smith

Publisher at Frederick Lifestyle Magazine

Amber Smith is the Owner and Publisher of Frederick Lifestyle Magazine. She has a deep passion for connecting and unifying the fast-growing Frederick community, inspiring action and voluntee...

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Amber Smith

Amber Smith is the Owner and Publisher of Frederick Lifestyle Magazine. She has a deep passion for connecting and unifying the fast-growing Frederick community, inspiring action and volunteerism, and helping local businesses thrive. Between a BA, nearly 10 years in Sales & Marketing roles, and excellent mentors, she felt empowered to release that entrepreneurial spirit and take on the riveting experience of running a business in January 2020—just two months shy of… well, you probably remember. With a strong sense of community and purpose, she has persevered through many hurdles and is dedicated to bringing Fredericktonians an inspiring and engaging magazine every month.

A 2022 LFC graduate and Women-in-Business Co-Chair turned Chamber Board Member, Amber is relationship driven and grateful to be planting deep roots in this uniquely special town. Dubbed one of Frederick’s Top 50 Under 40, she is committed to learning, growing and showing up each day for those around her.

Amber has a passion for connecting with women in business. She believes that influential, unstoppable women have learned the power of both “being comfortable being uncomfortable" and “present over perfect” and looks for opportunities to empower and encourage as well as learn and glean. She loves gently, and sometimes violently, pushing women out of their comfort zones so they can bypass their self-limiting beliefs and experience all they were made for.

Born in DC with Redskins love in her veins, Amber is navigating life married to a Dallas-Cowboy-turned-MOCO-Police-Officer. She’s one of seven kids and is currently holding the title of ‘Fun Aunt’ to 11 tiny humans. Her own child is named Frederick Lifestyle and loves keeping her up all hours of the night—although she’s seriously working on that! Real, raw and a little ridiculous, Amber genuinely loves people and cheering them on exactly where they are at and where their heart desires to go.

Christine Van Bloem

Founder/Owner of The Empty Nest Kitchen

Christine Van Bloem is the founder and owner of The Empty Nest Kitchen, teaching live, online cooking classes to empty nesters re-learning how to cook for one or two, while finding the fun i...

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Christine Van Bloem

Christine Van Bloem is the founder and owner of The Empty Nest Kitchen, teaching live, online cooking classes to empty nesters re-learning how to cook for one or two, while finding the fun in the kitchen with a healthy-ish vibe.

A heart attack survivor, Christine has reformed her butter-loving, heavy cream worshiping ways by making changes in how to cook, taking food in a healthier direction, while still keeping things flavorful and delightful.

Having developed recipes for decades, written for numerous local publications, and even having a stint on local cable back in the day, Christine made the switch from a career in advertising in NYC to cooking professionally as a personal chef and cooking instructor in her adopted hometown of Frederick, MD. She attended cooking school in New York City and loved being immersed in a world of French foods and learning critical cooking techniques.

Christine hosts the Empty Nest Kitchen podcast and lives in a very old house in Frederick with her husband John.

Steps to Success

Speakers

Sara Leishear

Amber Smith

Christine Van Bloem