Most Admired CEOs honors talented business CEOs, higher education leaders and nonprofit executive directors throughout Maryland whose leadership and vision are admired by those around them. A panel of judges selects these winners based on professional accomplishments, community service and the letters of references submitted by co-workers, board members and community leaders showing the CEO’s leadership and vision.
Three-time winners are inducted into the Circle of Leadership, which honors sustained achievement over a period of at least six-years. This year Casey Baynes of the Casey Cares Foundation was named to the Circle of Leadership.
A listing of all the winners is below.
“The 2023 Most Admired CEOs have gained the respect and praise of those around them, making a positive impact on the lives of others. Their integrity, values, drive and commitment to excellence show why they make a difference in the lives they touch each and every day,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record. “They are truly admired by their peers, teams and in the community, and The Daily Record is pleased to recognize them.”
The winners will be honored at a celebratory brunch on November 9 at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport.
2023 Most Admired CEOs
Government
Heidi Daniel, Enoch Pratt Free Library
Higher Education
Sonja Brookins Santelises, Baltimore City Public Schools
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, Community College of Baltimore County
Dr. Carolyn Lepre, Salisbury University
Jay A. Perman, University System of Maryland
Nonprofit with less than $10 million in annual revenue
Marco V. Ávila, P.E., Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
***Casey Baynes, Casey Cares Foundation
Sharon E. Goldsmith, Pro Bono Resource Center of MD
Bernard Gyebi-Foster, MBA, LCPC, Tuerk House Inc.
Marsha Legg, Opportunity Builders Inc.
Susan Malone, Wide Angle Youth Media
Gregory T. Miller, Penn-Mar Human Services
Jessica A. Quincosa, Esq., Community Legal Services
Nonprofit with more than $10 million in annual revenue
Franklyn Baker, United Way of Central Maryland
Alex Denstman, MBA, Ashley Addiction Treatment
J. Greg Hobelmann, M.D., MPH, Ashley Addiction Treatment
Brother John Kane, FSC, Ed.D., Calvert Hall College High School
Traci Kodeck, MPH, HealthCare Access Maryland
David N. Maine, M.D., Mercy Health Services
Walter L. G. Simmons, Employ Prince George's Inc.
Dana Stein, Civic Works
Mohan Suntha, M.D., MBA, University of Maryland Medical System
Chantelle Taylor, Athelas Institute Inc.
Laura Weeldreyer, Maryland Family Network
Private company with 50 or fewer employees
Christopher Barber, Cheaper Than A Geek!!!
Patrick Collins, Greenspring Advisors
Elise Elfman, Unitec Distribution Systems
Jeff Gordon, APPEREON Business Solutions
Bryan E. Kelly, The Kelly Group
Dr. Nkem Okeke, Medicalincs
Colleen Shields, RescueMeds
Robert L. Wallace, Bithgroup Technologies Inc.
Private company with 51-149 employees
Linda Sue “Susie” Comer, Comer Construction
Shana Cosgrove, Nyla Technology Solutions
Private company with 150 or more employees
Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D., Hood College
Jack Dwyer, Capital Funding Group & CFG Bank
***Indicates Circle of Leadership Inductee