Leigh Adams
Executive Director
Leigh Adams is the Executive Director for Ausherman Family Foundation. She has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a passion for connecting people together for the greater good.
Leigh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salisbury University and Master’s in Business Administration from Hood College. She serves on the Frederick Speaker Series, The Community Needs Assessment, The Nonprofit Alliance, and the Foundation’s annual Nonprofit Summit Committees. Leigh is an active member of the Women’s Giving Circle, Hood College’s Board of Associates and is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Frederick.
Leigh resides in Frederick County with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, anything to do with the beach, and being with family.
Lori Perkins
Grants Manager
Lori Perkins is the Grants Manager for Ausherman Family Foundation. Lori’s previous nonprofit sector work includes working as the office manager for a children’s residential treatment facility, where she helped obtain funding for the residents.
Lori joined Ausherman Family Foundation in 2015. She works to improve and streamline the grant application process and works closely with grant recipients and other community funders. She is a member of the Nonprofit Summit Committee and an active member of the Frederick Funders Group.
Lori received her BA in Psychology from UNC-Greensboro. She lives in Frederick with her husband and two dogs. She has two adult daughters, one of whom lives in Frederick and the other in Michigan. Lori volunteers her time with Frederick nonprofits.
Joshua Pedersen
Director of Grantmaking
Joshua has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit industry since 1995. He led the implementation of the 211 hotline throughout Utah, served as Director of Services for the Utah Food Bank, as Vice President of United Way of Northern Utah, CEO of United Way of Frederick County, President & CEO of 211 Maryland and Senior Director of 211 at United Way Worldwide. Today Joshua is the Director of Grantmaking for the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Joshua has served on multiple boards including the Frederick County Healthcare Coalition, Catholic Community Services, Murray City Arts Council, the Utah State Commission on Volunteers, Salt Lake Community College Center for Service & Learning, and as board president for both the Utah Nonprofits Association and Maryland Nonprofits Association. He was appointed by Governor Hogan to the Maryland Commission on Service & Volunteerism and was also a Trustee for the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Joshua has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Weber State University.
Laurynn Burks
Administrative Grants Assistant
Laurynn Burks joined the Ausherman Family Foundation as the Administrative Grants Assistant in March 2024. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and has over 10 years of experience in administrative, customer service, and supervisory roles.
Her passion for volunteerism and community engagement drove her to pursue a career at the Ausherman Family Foundation, where she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact with local nonprofit organizations. One of her areas of focus at the Foundation is supporting the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Aligned (IDEA) Grantees to navigate the grant process and connect them with other opportunities. Her assistance is instrumental in continuing to grow and enhance the IDEA Grant program to achieve its goals.
In her free time, Laurynn enjoys visiting the beach, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies include writing short stories, watching true crime series, and hiking. She is a member of the Nonprofit Summit Committee and an active member of her local church community.
Laurynn resides in Frederick County with her husband and three children.
Kathryn Vicere
Director of Community Projects
Kathryn (Kat) Vicere joined the Ausherman Family Foundation in 2022 as its Community Impact Manager, with over 20 years’ previous experience in the nonprofit sector. Kat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Theater from FSU, and a Master’s in Educational Theatre from New York University, is an active member of the Frederick Rotary, a Trustee at Maryland Ensemble Theatre and is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Frederick.
Kat resides in New Market with her husband, 2 teenage girls, & their fur babies. Kat’s personal interests include glamping & weekend getaways, Amazon Prime, modifying recipes for healthy results without sacrificing taste, and true crime novels/documentaries/tv shows. Kat is honored to be able to serve the Frederick community through her work at AFF.
Caylee Winpigler
Community Impact Manager
Caylee Winpigler joined the Ausherman Family Foundation after serving as a board member. As a Hood College student, she brought a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees. Caylee previously served as an Ambassador to Hood College, Teaching Assistant, Nonprofit Volunteer, Congressional Campaign Fellow and Intern to the Mayor’s office. She is passionate about helping people.
In December of 2023, Caylee graduated from American University with a master’s in International Relations.
Outside of work, Caylee also serves as the President of the Thurmont Historical Society.
Laura Lebo
Chief Financial Officer
Laura Lebo is the Controller of Ausherman Development Corporation, Ausherman Family Foundation, and Ausherman Family Trust. In 2002, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with a minor in Business and Accounting, from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. Laura then moved to Frederick County with her husband where she began her career in public accounting working for McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. She joined Ausherman Development Corporation in 2010 and completed her CPA certification in 2015. Laura resides in Walkersville with her husband and children. She is a member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Walkersville.