The Banner Emerging Leaders honor recognizes rising changemakers who are making a meaningful impact across Baltimore and Maryland. Selected through a community nomination process and reviewed by a committee of Banner, business, and civic leaders, these honorees represent the next generation of leadership. They are innovators, advocates, and builders who are pushing boundaries in their fields and strengthening the communities they serve. Together, they offer a powerful glimpse into Baltimore’s future.
The event honoring the 2026 class will happen on May 13, 2026 at The Center Club.
Presented By:
If interested in attending the event or have questions about sponsorship, please email Events@TheBaltimoreBanner.com
2026 HONOREES
Dana Blackwood, Business Manager, Turner Construction Company
Raj Borsellino, Director of National Philanthropy and Community Relations, Truist Foundation
Eric Brown, VTC Baltimore Program Director, NCIA
Grace Caltrider, Chief Operating Officer, Ulman Foundation
Lucas Carlson, MD, MPH, Regional Medical Director, Care Transformation – Baltimore Region, MedStar Health Baltimore Region
Takiya S. Eastmond, Licensee/Founder/Organizer, TEDx Morgan State University
Brad S. Fallon, Assistant Secretary for Business Development, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Maureen Frowenfeld, MPH, Chief of Staff to CEO, Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Maryland Faculty Physicians
Mauricio Garcia, Supply Chain Manager 2 – Risk Management and Strategic Sourcing, Northrop Grumman
Chaitra Gowda, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Megan Heidler, Manager, Program Services, Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD)
Jackie LaMonica, Program Director, Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center
April Lugo, Talent Acquisition Manager, McCormick
Indira Obichere, Director of Public Policy, United Way of Central Maryland
Timmeka Perkins, Senior Associate, Community Safety, The Annie E. Casey Foundation
2026 SPONSORS
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PAST YEARS EVENT PHOTOS
PAST HONOREES
2025
Nicole Antar, AVP, Creative & Communications, SECU
Alejandra Balcázar, Assistant Director, Student Success Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore
C. Nicholas (“Nick”) Cuneo, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Co-Founder and Executive Director, HEAL Refugee Health & Asylum Collaborative
Molly Doran, Director of Programs, The Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation, Inc.
Brian Gerardo, Senior Associate, Learning and Capacity Building, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Tameka Harry, Director of Transition to Work Services, The Arc Baltimore
Andrew S. Janet Esq., Partner/Co-Chair of Sexual Abuse Division, Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC
Sarah Klein, Director of Front-End Operations and Community Relations, Klein's Family Markets
Liz Lenrow, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Jahlik K. Mathis, Detective, Founder & Executive Director, Police and Sneaks
Brian D. Meltzer, Esq., Partner, Corporate Practice Group, Saul Ewing, LLP
Leah Cuadros Vogely, Director of Experience Design & Delivery Enablement, Exelon
Regina Webb, Senior Consultant for Community Health, Kaiser Permanente
Randolph B. Wells III, Community Engagement Liaison, Housing Authority Baltimore City
Ashley Williams, Founder & CEO, Clymb
2024
Max Altmark, CFO, Concentric
Dr. Christina Brown, Pediatrician & Module Leader for Baltimore Pediatrics , Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group
Chelsea Crawford, Partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy
Tyde-Courtney Edwards, President & CEO , Ballet After Dark
Veronica Jackson, Executive Director, PIVOT Women's Reentry & Workforce Development Program
Tonaeya Moore, Director of Policy, CASH Campaign of Maryland
Loren Nelson, Founder, The Glow Forward Foundation
Danielle Nickles, Child Protection Program Coordinator, GBMC HealthCare
Matthew Reeds, Co-Founder, Reeds Fund
Dr. Taiisha Swinton-Buck, Executive Director, City Schools’ high school Instructional Leadership
Ryan Turner, Executive Director, GreenLight Fund
Derrick Whiting, Healing City Coordinator, Baltimore City Health Department
Cariema Wood, Senior Corporate Community, Impact Specialist, BGE
2023
Ashley Day-Gibbs, Founder, Women Leading Baltimore
Brittany Young, Founder & CEO, B-360 Baltimore
Chaye Chevone Suber, Transplant Coordinator at UMMC in Baltimore
Erika Chavarria, Founder and Executive Director, Columbia Community Care (CCC).
Kimberly Coleman, President, B More Global
Laura Starsoneck, Assistant Director at the Center for Women & Children, Helping Up Mission
Marissa Jachman, Director, Erin Levitas Foundation
Matthew Johnson, Police Lieutenant, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Police Community Outreach Commander
Pete DeCandia, Founder & CEO, Teacher Props
Tonee Lawson, Founder & Executive Director, TheBe.Org
Tricia Swanson, Director, Government Affairs MD, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Van Brooks, Founder, Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc