ANNAPOLIS, MD—The state of Maryland is launching the Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact as part of a broader plan to increase innovation, talent, and resources across sectors of the state’s economy.

The council, established by executive order (PDF) in May 2023, will be responsible for identifying and strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and will work with philanthropic and social sector leaders to collaborate on projects that aim to improve the state’s public policy and increase social good.

Council members include:

• Jonny Dorsey, Chair; Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on Innovation and Impact, Office of Governor Wes Moore
• Lisa Hamilton, Honorary Co-Chair; President and Chief Executive Officer, Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Mark Lerner, Honorary Co-Chair; Board Member, Baltimore’s Promise
• Rachel Garbow Monroe, Honorary Co-Chair; President and Chief Executive Officer, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
• Darren Walker, Honorary Co-Chair; President, Ford Foundation
• Beth Blauer, Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation, Johns Hopkins University
• John Brothers, President, T. Rowe Price Foundation and President, T. Rowe Price Charitable
• Cheryl Dorsey, President, Echoing Green
• Matt Gallagher, President and Chief Executive Officer, Goldseker Foundation
• Don Gips, Chief Executive Officer, Skoll Foundation
• Jan Rivitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation
• Jake Day, Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
• Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary, Maryland Department of Health
• Rafael López, Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Services
• Paul Monteiro, Secretary, Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation
• Vinny Schiraldi, Secretary, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
• Meryam Bouadjemi, Senior Advisor and Chair of the Maryland Entertainment Council, Office of Governor Wes Moore, ex officio

The council will meet quarterly and submit an annual report to the governor and the public.

“To win the decade, we need to work in meaningful partnership with leaders in philanthropy and the social sector,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This council brings together some of the hardest-working leaders in our state and country to forge cross-sector partnerships for a stronger Maryland. I’m grateful that they’ve raised their hands to serve.”

The council is part of a broader plan to build a stronger Maryland by encouraging innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Pixabay