Nikki Highsmith Vernick

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Horizon Foundation

Nikki Highsmith Vernick serves as president and chief executive officer of the Horizon Foundation, Maryland’s largest independent health foundation, where she leads the organization’s mission to work side-by-side with the community to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and greater Maryland. As a visionary and entrepreneurial leader with a passion to continually create better human and social good in the world, especially for historically marginalized communities, Vernick works alongside community partners to advance health equity so that everyone in Howard County can live healthier, happier lives.

Since joining the Horizon Foundation in 2012, Vernick has engaged the board, staff and community to launch several transformative initiatives to demonstrably improve community health outcomes, including expanding and transforming behavioral health services, improving the nutrition and physical-activity environment in schools and communities, dramatically reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and ensuring end-of-life care planning. She has evolved the Horizon Foundation into a strategic, equity-centered and impact-driven foundation with a local, regional and national presence.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a leader in Maryland is the power and necessity of deeply listening to the community,” Vernick explained. “Too often, leadership is framed as having all the answers, but in reality, lasting change happens when we show up with humility, not assumptions. True leadership means walking side by side with the community, not ahead of it. It means recognizing that the people closest to the issues are also closest to the answers.”

Regarding the challenges she has faced, Vernick noted that “progress, especially in philanthropy and civic leadership, doesn’t move at the pace of strategy alone. It moves at the pace of trust. Real change requires deep, authentic relationships with policymakers, community leaders, grantees and partners. Overcoming this challenge meant shifting my mindset from prioritizing quick wins to investing in long-term trust.”

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by information provided by the honorees and other resources. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.