MEDA has served Maryland’s economic development professionals for over 55 years. In the last few years, we’ve seen the next generation of economic development professionals joining the organization, getting engaged, and bringing new ideas to our committees.
We’re asking for member participation! This group is open to economic developers under the age of 40 who are looking for collaboration opportunities and chances to network.
This young leaders group is meant to connect young economic development professionals as they grow in their careers. If this is of interest to you, please consider participating in this new MEDA group. Please complete the form below expressing your interest.
Engage with the MEDA Young Leaders Virtual Networking Sessions, a professionally curated forum designed for continuous learning and connection. Convening bi-monthly for an hour, these sessions are a valuable opportunity to hear from an array of distinguished economic development speakers, each bringing unique insights and expertise. The structure caters to both first-time attendees and regular participants, ensuring a rewarding experience with each session. Participants are encouraged to join as their schedules permit, with the assurance that each session offers a standalone opportunity for enrichment and networking.
The 2026 sessions will be held from 11 AM to 12 PM on the following dates:
Destiny is an economic development professional specializing in supporting LISC’s small business and Business Development Organizations’ (BDOs) initiatives nationwide. She leads the national BDO Network, ensuring small business owners access affordable capital and strengthen their financial and business practices to achieve their goals through direct support from these organizations. Destiny is dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity through small business support and economic development initiatives.
Prior to joining LISC, Destiny served as an Economic Development Specialist in Southern Maryland, leading the Business Retention and Expansion Program and Southern Maryland Innovates, an initiative dedicated to transforming the region’s economy through entrepreneurship and innovation. She is passionate about helping partners strengthen their services to support historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and building inclusive small business ecosystems. Destiny holds a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Xavier University. Beyond her professional roles, she is actively involved in various committees and organizations, including the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). Destiny resides in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with her family, and enjoys nature, grilling, and relaxation.
Jen LaHatte is the Managing Director of Policy, Research and Government Affairs for the Maryland Department of Commerce, the State’s primary economic development agency. In this role she oversees a group of ten research and policy staff responsible for identifying and enhancing economic development policies and providing high quality research products and economic analyses leading to strategies that maximize the State’s economic growth. Jen has worked for the Maryland Department of Commerce in a variety of roles since 2012, including Director of Policy and Program Development as well as Business Policy Analyst, and has been managing her division since 2021. Prior to joining Maryland Commerce, Jen worked for a political fundraising consulting firm. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and lives in Cockeysville with her husband, two young sons, and their rescue dog Griffey.
Allison Akers is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Anne Arundel based systems integrator Vision Technologies. In this role, Allison is responsible for overseeing overall marketing direction, brand management, corporate communications, and strategic growth of the company.
Allison deeply believes in giving back. Allison serves on the MEDA Board of Directors and serves as the co-chair of the MEDA Young Leaders Group. Allison also serves as Past President of the Public Relations Society of America-Chesapeake Chapter Board, is the chair of Vision Technologies’ Charity Committee as well as a committee member of the Women’s Network Employee Resource Group, is a member of Fort Meade Alliance Rising Stars, and recently finished serving on the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business Alumni Chapter Board.
Allison is passionate about economic development and celebrating successful business growth in Maryland, developed through her prior work as Marketing and Outreach Manager for Anne Arundel Economic Development. Prior work also includes Marketing and Communications Specialist for the Maryland State Judiciary, time in grassroots marketing and events management for the MD, DC, VA region for Road Runner Sports, and a brief stint in the music marketing industry. She graduated from West Virginia University in May 2022 with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications and holds a B.S. in Marketing from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. She is a proud Terp through and through.
Jose Burnes is an experienced economic development professional with expertise in public-private partnerships, business development, international trade, and site selection. He currently serves as Economic Development Program Manager at QTS Data Centers. Previously, Jose worked as Business Development Manager for Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, American Industries Group, and the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. Throughout his career, he has supported hundreds of companies expanding into North America and helped create thousands of jobs in local communities. Jose is also a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council.
Cassy is TEDCO’s Director of Development & Marketing, who works closely with TEDCO’s Chief Development & Marketing Officer. Since joining TEDCO, Cassy has supported TEDCO’s marketing and outreach initiatives through creating internal and external messaging, marketing collateral, increasing brand awareness, and event management. Prior to TEDCO, Cassy worked with tech startups at the UMBC Incubator, bwtech@UMBC, where she managed marketing efforts, events and operations.
Cassy was a member of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Next Up 2021 Cohort, a year-long leadership training, professional and personal development and networking program. She is also an active member on the Maryland Economic Development Association’s (MEDA) Young Leaders Committee. Cassy received the Maryland Economic Development Association’s Marketing award for TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo (2020), and the AMA Baltimore’s MX Award for Best Print Advertisement Campaign of the Year (2022 and 2023).
Cassy earned her BS in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration from Towson University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Martin Proulx is the Value-Added Agricultural Specialist with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This role provides general support for value-added and agricultural processing sectors in the State, as well as collaborates to reduce barriers and strengthen regulatory framework to improve and expand capacities and opportunities for value-added agricultural products.
Martin comes to MDA from Charles County Government, where he served as the Agriculture Business Development Manager, and has previous experience supporting agricultural businesses and farmers markets. He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University
Brian joined the HCEDA in September 2012 and has held various positions in the organization, but most recently as the Director of Communications and Marketing.
Brian oversees the brand management of the the HCEDA, Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship, Howard Tech Council, and the Howard County Innovation Center. He and the rest of the Marketing Department are responsible for the production and promotion of over 100 events a year, including Howard County Business Appreciation Week. He commonly works with CEO’s from the community to tell Howard County’s story and engages regularly with the area’s elected representatives.
Brian was nominated by the Ellicott City community after the 2016 flood receiving recognition for acts of excellence from Governor Larry Hogan and then Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman ultimately for the role he played in the response. He is a 2018 Leadership Howard County Essentials graduate and is currently serving on the Ellicott City Partnership’s Board of Advisors.
Brian is a Howard County resident and a graduate of Towson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications with dual tracks in Advertising and Public Relations.
Sophie loves helping small-town economies reach their fullest potential. As the Managing Director at PPR Strategies, she leads projects, multitasks like a champ, and nurtures client needs with style and grace.
Sophie Slawson (née Smith) is a community development specialist who helps small-town economies reach their fullest potential. Sophie, serving as the Managing Director at PPR Strategies, People & Places Reimagined, plays a pivotal role in guiding the company’s strategic direction, managing its daily operations, and ensuring alignment with the vision set by the team. Sophie is strategic and brings passion, curiosity, and outside-the-box thinking to her team. Previously the Main Street Manager in Brunswick, Maryland, Sophie is familiar with the challenges that face growing communities. In this role, Sophie served in multiple capacities but primarily worked with small businesses, property owners, government officials, and other local entities to achieve their economic development objectives. She additionally led the organization’s re-branding effort and ran its marketing and outreach initiatives. She brings a strong background in project management, strategy, and organization to the PPR Strategies team. Sophie currently serves as a Board Member for the United Way of Frederick County, is an active Literacy Council of Frederick County tutor, and belongs to the Key City Rotary Club. Originally from Freeport, Maine, Sophie is a Hood College legacy graduate with a degree in global studies. She has lived in four different countries and can speak conversational French.
Not-Pictured Committee Members:
Sarah Guy, Avantis
Complete the form below to join the MEDA Young Leaders Group
