2024 Rising Stars

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Congratulations to this year’s brilliant cohort of young professionals chosen as the 2023 Living Classrooms Foundation Rising Stars Presented by the Baltimore Business Journal. These outstanding individuals, under the age of 40, embody the spirit of the next wave of Baltimore’s philanthropists and the next wave of visionaries.

2024 Rising Stars

Gavin Barger is a Banker at the J.P. Morgan Private Bank and serves on the boards of Penn Soccer and the Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association. Gavin attended the Wharton School at UPenn and earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a double concentration in Finance and Management. Gavin was a two-time captain for the D1 Men's Soccer Team. Gavin holds his Series 7, 63, and 65 FINRA securities licenses.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Gavin Barger: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gavin-barger-1715948012400

Jack Blum is a graduate of Loyola Blakefield and Marquette University. After graduating with a B.S. in Finance and Applied Investment Management from Marquette, Jack started in the Private Bank at J.P. Morgan. Now a banker, Jack works on a team that advises high-net-worth families, private business owners, endowments, and foundations on wealth management strategies, including portfolio construction, estate planning, credit, and tax-efficient investment management.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Jack Blum: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jack-blum-1716409256748

Alec Campbell graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, specializing in Investment Management. He is an Investment Analyst at A.G. Campbell Advisory. Previously, he held roles at StepStone Group and Greenspring Associates, where he garnered more than three years of Venture Capital and Growth Equity experience. He is passionate about supporting founders, wealth management, and venture. His hobbies include fly fishing, tennis, thoroughbred racing, running, horology, and chess.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Alec Campbell: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alec-g-campbell-1716304477942

Kelly Campbell As an attorney at McDonald Hopkins, Kelly Campbell’s practice includes assisting clients in all industries with navigating data privacy issues in compliance with state, federal, and international laws. Kelly graduated from the University of South Carolina and received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. She is passionate about providing equitable education and opportunities to students throughout the community.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Kelly Campbell: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kelly-campbell-for-living-classrooms

Mary Carballo is a Design Assistant at Patrick Sutton Design Services with over five years of experience in luxury residential and hospitality projects. She graduated from Temple University with a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. She worked for Marriott International for ten years in various roles. Also, Mary worked for American Furniture Rental designing social and corporate event spaces. She is a huge foodie and loves traveling to new places and experiencing different cultures.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Mary Carballo: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mary-carballo-1719602152046

A Private Client Relationship Associate with Brown Advisory, Christopher DeMallie is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and is currently pursuing an MBA from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. At Brown Advisory, he additionally serves as a Co-Head of the Summer Analyst Program. In his spare time, he can be found competing in bar trivia with friends or going on runs around the city.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Christopher DeMallie: https://www.justgiving.com/page/christopher-demallie

A Maryland native, Joe Dimaio recently accepted a position with Aptive Resources as Supervising Video Producer after spending nearly seven years at Stanley Black and Decker. During his time at Stanley building on a pre-existing passion for tools, he founded Backroad Builds, LLC, a home renovation company serving Central Maryland. Joe is a graduate of Stevenson University with a degree in Film, Video, & Theatre Production and enjoys staying busy!

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Joe Dimaio: https://www.justgiving.com/page/joe-dimaio

Andrew Cianos works at the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) in Baltimore. Prior to joining MASN, he was with the Baltimore Ravens for two years. He is a graduate of Towson University where he studied Sport Management and Business. He loves to cook, play tennis, and go on hikes.

Anthony Enger is a Senior Project Manager at AstraZeneca, building global supply chains to make more medicines for more patients. Previously, he held management roles at Procter & Gamble and Coty. Anthony serves on the Board of the Penn State Alumni Association and leads the annual Charm City Gala for the fight against pediatric cancer. Anthony has a degree in chemical engineering and is pursuing an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Anthony Enger: https://www.justgiving.com/page/anthony-enger-1717028033743

Malik Gay is a digital media strategist who works to support and grow nonprofit organizations through various media platforms. As a Division I student-athlete, he graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Communications Studies. Also, Malik earned a graduate certificate from UMBC in Community Leadership. He was recognized by Disney and the US Lacrosse Association for his commitment to expanding diversity in physical activity opportunities to youth through sport.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Malik Gay: https://www.justgiving.com/page/malik-gay

Dontaue Holloway is a General Manger for Burger King PJ Foods. He has a degree in Electrical Technology. Dontaue loves to help his team to reach their full potential and is a NASCAR enthusiast.

Annie Hutchinson is a Baltimore native and graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and French Language & Literature. She currently works as a portfolio analyst at Brown Advisory, where she assists her team in the management of balanced accounts. In her free time, she spends time with family, cooking with friends or playing a social sport.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Annie Hutchinson: https://www.justgiving.com/page/annie-hutchinson-1719177481517

Kaitlyn Kaufhold is the Social Media Manager for the Baltimore Orioles. Prior to joining the Orioles in 2023, she worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates for four seasons in a similar role. Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Texas with a B.S. in Public Relations. When she's not at the ballpark, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and watching Texas football in the fall.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Kaitlyn Kaufhold: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kaitlynkaufhold

Adrian McLemore is an energetic and policy-savvy urban philanthropist at the Annie E. Casey Foundation; where he manages a diverse portfolio of resources across Baltimore. Adrian has been leading initiatives, supporting policy development, and strategy implementation at the foundation since 2016. When you can’t find Adrian in the Charm City, you can find him globetrotting, attending music concerts from Baltimore to Rome, and everywhere in between.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Adrian McLemore: https://www.justgiving.com/page/adrianmclemore

Nicholas Meeks is an Interior Designer at Patrick Sutton Design Services, focused on luxury residential interiors. Nicholas graduated from The Ohio State University and began his career as a buyer for Abercrombie & Fitch's headquarters, overseeing the design and business strategy for multiple apparel lines. After moving to Baltimore, Nicholas joined Sagamore Spirit and helped develop the distillery's retail and tourism experience. Using his creative and analytical skill set, Nicholas transitioned into interior design, a passion he wanted to continue full­time after renovating his own home.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Nicholas Meeks: https://www.justgiving.com/page/nicholas-meeks-1720040725939

Amanda Merrey serves as Events & Community Engagement Coordinator for Kelly Benefits, where she is responsible for corporate events and philanthropic sponsorship management, as well as community partnerships in support of strategic marketing initiatives. In addition, she is a long-time volunteer and supporter of local organizations, including The Maryland Zoo, and The Franciscan Center of Baltimore, and has previously served as an ESL instructor for adult learners with the non-profit Mission to North America. Amanda graduated cum laude from Cairn University, Also, Amanda holds accreditation as a Certified Event Management Expert (CEMP) from ACI.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Amanda Merrey: https://www.justgiving.com/page/amandamerrey-risingstar-livingclassrooms

Ben O’Connor is an Account Executive, Ticket Partnerships for the Baltimore Orioles. In this role, he is responsible for cultivating lasting relationships and experiences for businesses and fans at Camden Yards. Ben graduated from Loyola University Maryland earning his B.A. in Marketing and Communication. Ben dedicates his time to various volunteer groups and nonprofit organizations through the Orioles Orange & Black Gives Back employee volunteer program and with LinkedIn Local Baltimore.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Ben O’Connor: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ben-oconnor

Timmeka Perkins serves as a Senior Associate with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s National Community Strategies team where she focuses on community-based strategies for safety and violence reduction. She oversees a portfolio of national investments around gun violence prevention and place-based initiatives in five sites throughout the East Coast and the South. Timmeka has over a decade experience in safety efforts, juvenile justice and law enforcement transformation. She received her M.S. in Criminal Justice from Colorado State University and her B.A. in Counseling from Marshall University.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Timmeka Perkins: https://www.justgiving.com/page/timmeka-perkins-1721066273528

Alex Pitts is an Assistant Project Manager at Chesapeake Contracting Group. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Engineering Project Management. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and supporting both the Ravens and Orioles.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Alex Pitts: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alex-pitts-2024

Taylor Santiago Taylor Santiago is Vice President of woman-owned, Aberdeen-based MTM Trucking and Logistics. She has a BA in business marketing and graphic design from Mercyhurst University, where she was a scholar-athlete and captain of the women’s lacrosse team. She has a master’s in integrated marketing from NYU. Also, a personal trainer, Taylor paired passions for fitness and travel with earning 250 hours of yoga teacher training in Bali and Portugal.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Taylor Santiago: https://www.justgiving.com/page/taylor-santiago-rise-up

Born and raised in Baltimore, Emma Shaw joined the CBRE Mid-Atlantic Multifamily Investment Properties Team as a Sales Assistant in June of 2022. Prior to joining CBRE, Emma graduated from Penn State where she majored in Finance and minored in Business Law. Also, she was a volunteer for Penn State THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, of which she is still a proud supporter.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Emma Shaw: https://www.justgiving.com/page/emma-shaw-livingclassrooms

As a certified Peak Pilates Instructor, Ashley Shiner is honored to serve as a Master Pilates Instructor and Teacher Trainer at Pilates House. She is deeply passionate about guiding and empowering others through innovative instruction and mentorship. Her commitment to Pilates education and its transformative impact drives her to be a deserving nominee for the Rising Star award through Living Classrooms Foundation.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Ashley Shiner: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ashley-shiner-pilateshouse

Nicole Schneider joined CBRE in September 2021 in the Advisory and Transaction Services, Multi-Market Real Estate practice, where she provides support to international corporate clients and assists in maintaining their vast real estate portfolios. Nicole graduated from Salisbury University in December 2020 with a degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing and Management. Prior to CBRE, Nicole fully immersed herself in her family businesses overseeing operations and production for Edible Arrangements.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Nicole Schneider:

Gregory Snyder joined The Arc in 2022 after serving on The Arc’s board of directors for two years. Since then, he has helped set The Arc's legislative priorities and facilitated relationship-building with local, state, and federal stakeholders. In his time at The Arc, Greg launched Living Boldly, The Arc's self-advocacy group focused on empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to speak up and make their voices heard on important issues. He is active in the community and has nearly a decade of lobbying experience. Greg has a bachelor's degree in political science from Roanoke College and graduated from the Shore Leadership Class of 2023.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Gregory Snyder: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gregory-snyder-1719325592987

Brigitte Strobl is a Portfolio Manager at Black Diamond Financial, where she collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized financial plans and investment strategies that meet their unique needs. In addition to her client-focused role, Brigitte works alongside the leadership team to drive technology innovation and enhance portfolio management. Brigitte graduated from Loyola University with a B.B.A. in Finance with honors from the Financial Management Association. Brigitte also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Brigitte Strobl: https://www.justgiving.com/page/brigitte-strobl-living-classrooms

Abby Ticse is a Senior Assistant State Prosecutor at the Office of the State Prosecutor, specializing in the investigation and prosecution of police misconduct throughout Maryland. She was previously a federal prosecutor, a litigator at a local firm, and selected by Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star" and by Best Lawyers as "One to Watch." Abby graduated with honors from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland School of Law.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Abigail Ticse: https://www.justgiving.com/page/abigail-ticse-livingclassrooms

A native of Thibodaux, LA, and current Baltimore resident, Naomi Winstone earned her history degree at Xavier University of Louisiana in 2021. Struggling to publish her first book at 17, she founded Revolutionary Hearts Industries to elevate Black women's stories. In 2019, she created affirmation coloring books to address colorism, now a nationally recognized educational resource company known as The Creative Representation Empire. Featured on CBS Mornings, Naomi's 12+ coloring books promote community storytelling and support BIPOC entrepreneurs. The goal of her community curated coloring books is to create physical manifestation of community with the hopes of taking the loneliness out of childhood. She mentors youth in entrepreneurship and community journalism, believing everyone can "find their something" to make the world a better place.

Donate to Living Classrooms in honor of Naomi Winston: https://www.justgiving.com/page/naomi-winston-1716474732427