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Remembering Our Dear Friend Cal LaRoche

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Program Hosts 2021 Leaders Summit

The annual Ron Brown Leaders Summit brings together the students and alumni of the Ron Brown Ruth & Normal Rales Leaders Network with corporate Partners for networking and professional development. Partners share career advice with our young leaders through engaging breakout sessions while introducing them to professional opportunities.

The 2021 Ron Brown Leaders Summit featured ten sessions and 25 speakers across five days. The overall impact was innumerable. Over 200 attendees participated, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program, Scholars and Captains are grateful to our partners who helped us retain our beloved Summit during these trying times: Apex Clean Energy, Capital One, Deloitte, Dodge & Cox, Evertrue, General Catalyst, Goldman Sachs, Google, Latham & Watkins, Lockheed Martin, Otis Elevator, Plume Design, RTI, Schwarzman Scholars, Wake Forest University School of Business, and Weber Shandwick.

If COVID guidelines allow, we expect the 2022 Summit to take place on June 24-25 in New York City.

Contact us for updates and information on special sponsorship packages.

2021 RON BROWN LEADERS SUMMIT PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Please enjoy videos and photos from this year’s Summit at https://www.ronbrownleaderssummit.org/2021-in-review

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In Memoriam:
Cal LaRoche (1946–2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation. 

A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.

His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.

An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.

Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.

We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
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