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Columbia resident and community leader, Dr. Lillian Bauder, was recognized by Neighbor Ride’s Board of Directors as the cornerstone or “driver” of the organization’s Driving Forward Sustainability Campaign. Dr. Bauder helped pioneer the organization’s fundraising efforts, launching the campaign on September 20th, which will greatly impact the organization’s mission of providing subsidized transportation for Howard County’s senior residents for years to come. To recognize Dr. Bauder for her generous, $50,000 contribution, Neighbor Ride named its meeting space “The Bauder Board and Training Room” and acknowledged her as an Independence Champion for the campaign.

“For those of us who need and use its services, Neighbor Ride is a blessing,” Dr. Bauder says.  “This much needed service is uniquely developed in Howard County and the drivers are, indeed, our neighbors. As our county ages, Neighbor Ride will be needed even more. This is our opportunity to strengthen a critical organization as it plans wisely for our future.”

Dr. Bauder spent her early career as a professor and served as Dean at the University of Detroit. In 1983, Dr. Bauder joined the Cranbrook Educational Community as Director of Schools and, within a year, was named President and CEO. To acknowledge her dedication to the institution, Dr. Bauder was unanimously elected President Emeritus when she departed.  She began working for Masco Corporation in 1996 and led global strategy in her role as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and President of the Masco Charitable Trust, a position she held until her retirement in 2007.

Dr. Bauder has served on numerous boards, including DTE Energy, Comerica, Skillman Foundation, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Habitat for Humanity, and the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation. She is a champion of civil rights and social justice causes and has funded the Bauder Lecture at Howard Community College and the Bauder Education Center at the Long Reach Village Center. Dr. Bauder currently serves as a trustee on the Baltimore Community Foundation and director on the CAC board.  In 2022, she was named philanthropist of the year by the Community Foundation of Howard County.

According to the 2022 Maryland Department of Planning 2022 report, Howard County’s most vulnerable senior population (age 80+) will increase by over 80 percent over the next 10 years. Now, more than ever, Neighbor Ride’s support will be vital to the community. As it looks ahead to its 20th anniversary year in 2024, the organization is embarking on its most ambitious fundraising efforts to meet the growing demands for transportation services.