Our Team

Mark Anthony Thomas is President & CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the leading voice of the private sector in the Baltimore Region. In his 2½-year tenure, Mark has repositioned GBC as the region’s business-civic engine—uniting more than 300 partners behind the first 10-Year Economic Opportunity Plan, building a stronger platform for business investment and innovation, advancing strategies to tackle vacant housing and public safety, introducing Bold Moves, the region’s first unified economic brand, and integrating UpSurge Baltimore, BLocal, and the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore into the GBC.

Chief Operating Officer Cristina Lopez brings a wealth of experience in advancing philanthropy and strategic investments in the Baltimore region. Lopez most recently served as the Chief of Strategy & Operations at Last Mile Education Fund, where she led a $60 million growth plan. Lopez provides valuable operational leadership for GBC and manages key business functions for the organization.

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Vey has more than 25 years of experience in urban policy research and program management, bringing a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to the connection between place, placemaking, and inclusive economic development.

Kory Bailey is GBC’s Chief Ecosystem Officer, leading the UpSurge Baltimore team which was integrated into the organization in December 2024.  Kory Bailey is a recognized thought leader in ecosystem building and innovation-driven economic growth. With over a decade of experience in startups, big tech, and venture, Kory brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within early-stage entrepreneurship, as well as the complexities of corporate and institutional engagement in the innovation economy. 

Chief Economic Officer Lakey Boyd is a Certified Economic Developer (IEDC) with more than two decades of experience in economic development, workforce development, redevelopment, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Boyd has worked in more than 50 cities across the United States on multidisciplinary economic development plans. 

Nekoro Gomes serves as GBC’s Vice President of Communications and leads the organization’s events and communications teams, bringing over a decade of experience developing and executing marketing campaigns. In February 2025, he was named as one of the year’s Black Marylanders to Watch by the Baltimore Sun. 

Maddy Stokes serves as GBC’s Head of Strategic Programs and Performance, coming to the organization from UpSurge Baltimore, where she served as Chief Operating Officer. There, she oversaw the development of the organization’s startup advancement strategy and startup data product, as well as a portfolio of Techstars investments. She brings a strong track record of innovative leadership, change management, and team and community building to the organization, having built and overseen systems ranging from people operations, performance, data, and project management.

Director of Strategy and Research, Patrick Hosford is an experienced economic developer with a deep understanding of placed-based strategies to spur innovation and bolster urban economies. Patrick has successfully created, proposed, and implemented transformative initiatives and programming that have driven economic growth and job creation throughout multiple US markets.

Amber Woodruff leads GBC’s strategic initiatives focused on expanding local hiring and advancing cross-sector strategies to reduce gun violence and strengthen police recruitment and retention. She brings more than 15 years of experience in education, program design, and civic engagement, with a track record of building partnerships that drive equitable economic and community outcomes.

Robbin manages UpSurge’s local, regional, and national collaborations and programs to foster greater participation in Baltimore’s tech startup ecosystem. Robbin has been gathering people and cultivating relationships for her entire career, producing hundreds of events, partnerships, and collaborations for organizations in both Baltimore & DC such as Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District and Baltimore Homecoming (BHC). Robbin served as the executive director of BHC where she mobilized a network of Baltimoreans across the world to invest in Baltimore City. Being a gatherer outside of work too, Robbin is a founding member of the Baltimore Chapter of NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals), a Thread volunteer, and an advisor to local Baltimore startups. She also serves on the board of Business Volunteers of Maryland.

Erica Myers serves as Director, Regional Innovation Office for the Baltimore Region’s Tech Hub Program, working to shape strategy and relationships for the 48-member consortium involved in our Tech Hub bid. Myers has an extensive background in nonprofit management and individual giving, most recently serving as the Director of Development for Venture for America.

Bogdan Vaduva serves as GBC’s inaugural Director of Business Investment, coming to the organization with deep experience in domestic and international business attraction, as well as an understanding of business retention and international diplomacy.

Director of Events & Business Development Lisa Byrd is responsible for the coordination and execution of events and sponsorships. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in event production, logistics management, development and consensus building.

Director of Accounting Rachel Gray manages the financial operations of the organization. Starting in 2015 as a staff accountant, Rachel has continued to expand her role and assume broader responsibilities within the company.

Director of Partnerships Whit Johnson is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic relationships with key stakeholders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors across the Baltimore region. Whit brings over ten years’ experience in education, civic engagement and community building. 

Creative Branding Director Kelly Tarver leads GBC’s Regional Branding Initiative. Kelly is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with a career spanning transportation, global manufacturing, and strategic leadership.

Executive Assistant and Senior Manager of Operations Jean Marie Andrulonis coordinates and directs the flow of meetings and activities related to the Committee’s officers, board members, and operations. A lifelong Baltimorean, she possesses demonstrated expertise in project and process development and implementation. 

Henry Villacorta, Senior Manager of Partnerships, brings a dynamic background in fundraising, data analytics and real estate to the Greater Baltimore Committee. With nearly a decade of experience advancing mission-driven initiatives and building strategic relationships, Villacorta has worked across nonprofit and corporate sectors to drive impact and community engagement.

Audrey Bartholomew drives strategic communications and marketing efforts at the Greater Baltimore Committee as Communications Manager. A University of Maryland graduate and lifelong Marylander, she brings regional passion and three years of experience developing engaging cross-platform content to her role, with expertise in storytelling and data-driven digital strategy. 

As Data Analytics Manager, Chris leads UpSurge’s data team and its responsibilities. This includes optimizing UpSurge’s data systems, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting on the Baltimore Tech ecosystem. Chris, a suburban Atlanta native, graduated from Boston College in 2022 with a BS in Management, a major in Economics, and a minor in Social Impact. Chris is a Venture for America alumnus.

Office Manager Tara Harris is one of the longest-tenured employees of the organization at 13 years. She is responsible for helping to coordinate events and managing the front office for GBC.

Rimjhim is a Program Manager at UpSurge Baltimore. She leads their startup advancement programming with a focus on building capacity in the ecosystem for a thriving tech economy. A venture capital lawyer by trade, she has over 7 years of experience in the Indian startup eco-system. She also dabbled in entrepreneurship with her robo-advisory startup Eve targeted towards Indian millennial women. Prior to joining UpSurge, she got her MBA at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business where she had a special focus on sustainable business, venture capital and startups. She is passionate about gender equity and bridging the gender investment gap in the Baltimore tech ecosystem.

Isaiah Pittman, M.S. is the Digital Brand & Communications Coordinator at UpSurge Baltimore. In this role, he works to bring a perspective of tech with a creative flair to the ecosystem. Isaiah is a recent graduate of the Interaction Design and Information Architecture program at the University of Baltimore where he focused on the intricacies of user-centric design research.

Devon Pina supports the UpSurge Team Lead and staff with executive coordination, project tracking, and internal operations. With over 20 years of experience in the administrative field—spanning local and federal government service, private industry, and the non-profit sector—Devon brings a seasoned approach to strategic administration, systems development, and cross-functional alignment. Originally from Washington, D.C., he is now a proud Baltimore City resident committed to advancing the work and mission of the UpSurge team.

Jessica Koenig is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in executive support, office management, and customer service. With a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, Jessica is dedicated to supporting our Strategy and Investment Teams, and ensuring smooth operations. As a lifelong Baltimore resident, she brings a deep understanding of the local community, which supports the Greater Baltimore Committee’s mission and goals.

Adi Mwangi is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, where she earned degrees in Mathematics B.S and Animation B.A. Combining a rigorous quantitative skill set with creative design expertise, Adi is passionate about using data-driven approaches to bring visually engaging and technically precise solutions to life. She has experience in mathematical modeling, data analysis, and digital animation, making her adept at bridging the gap between technical complexity and compelling storytelling. Outside of work, Adi enjoys reading, drawing, and writing, activities that inspire her creativity and continuous learning.

Eugene is the founder of Starfall NYC, a faith-inspired fashion brand that blends spirituality and style, and the visionary behind Our Big Picnic, a large-scale community event that has drawn over 1,000 attendees annually in New York and the DMV area. Rooted in faith and driven by impact, Eugene Awagah is passionate about building platforms that allow others to dream, create, and lead. With a long-term vision of becoming a product manager at a leading tech company, he continues to align his business, technical, and creative skills in ways that serve both people and purpose. Guided by the values of faith, gratitude, growth, and excellence, Eugene remains committed to uplifting the communities he represents—on campus, in business, and beyond.