GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR'S COORDINATING OFFICES

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Laura Gutierrez, Deputy Secretary (410) 697-9272; e-mail: goci.info@maryland.gov

Cherie D. Warehime, Executive Assistant (410) 697-9339; e-mail: cherie.warehime@maryland.gov

COMMISSION ON LGBTQIA+ AFFAIRS
(410) 697-9263; e-mail: goci.info@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/lgbtqia

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice & consent to 4-year terms:
Vacancy, Chair (chosen by Commission, 1-year term)
M. Valle Pease, Vice-Chair (chosen by Commission, 1-year term), 2026


Nicole A. Hollywood; Asher Clarke Kennedy; Paula Neira; Wendy Novak; Sarah Stern. Terms expire 2026.

Phillip L. Westry, Jr., 2027.

Ly Xinzhèn Zhangsun Brown, J.D.; Amit (Mickey) Dhir; Deborah L. Dunn; Anthony E. (Tony) Fox; Stephen J. Martin, M.D.; Brandon Russell; Jeffrey Zane Slavin. Terms expire 2028.

Rev. Ali Kujichagulia Celestin Bell; Chloe Jay Kastner; Courtney E. Mariette; Angel Luis Perez; Calvin G. Ryan; Tica Torres-Bolivar; Anissa Truit. Terms expire 2029.

FINANCE, BUDGET, & GRANTS
Berenice Schneider, Chief (410) 697-9272
e-mail: berenice.schneider@maryland.gov

INTERFAITH OUTREACH
Lora F. Hargrove, Ph.D., D.Min., Director (410) 697-9267
e-mail: lora.hargrove@maryland.gov

ETHNIC COMMISSIONS
E. Keith Colston, Director (410) 697-9264
e-mail: keith.colston@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions
GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS
Staff: Antwan C. Brown, D.S.W. (410) 697-9280; e-mail: antwan.brown@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/african-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Chukwunonso (Vincent) Iweanoge, Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029
Vacancy, Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor)


Tope Adeyoju; Adebowole Oyshola Ajayi; Adedana Ashebir; Njukang Asong; Anyinke Atabong; Fatmata Barrie; Sylvia K. Dasi, Ph.D.; Amsale Geletu; J. Wyndal Gordon; Jasmine L. Blanks Jones, Ph.D.; Terry V. Jones, D.M.; Natalie McCabe, D.S.W.; Maroufath Ogoussan; Maureen Wambui. Terms expire 2029.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN AFFAIRS
Staff: Christina Wong Poy (410) 697-9276; e-mail: christina.poy@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/asian-pacific-american-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Yang Yu, Ph.D., Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029
Roxanne Yamashita, Ph.D., Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029

Isabelle DeLeon Balakit; Tim T. Chng; Amy Jean Fry; Larry Trung La; Alanna Lee; Ping Lu, M.D.; Thai Nguyen; Siu Cheung Rossmark; Young Ran Smith; Jessie Su; Lili Zhang; two vacancies. Terms expire 2029.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS
Staff: Silvia Decja (410) 697-9279; e-mail: silvia.decja@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/caribbean-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Luis V. McSween Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027
Samantha Howard, Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor), 2027

Melissa E. Buckley, Ph.D.; Gabriel J. Christian, Esq.; Habacuc Petion; Elaine C. Simon; Rogelio Williams. Terms expire 2027

Kenneth Alce; Jemima Darbouze Davis; Maxine F. Kellman, D.V.M., Ph.D.; Winsome Leslie; Cylia E. Lowe; Yolanda Rivera-Quintanilla; Carla M. Sewer, Ph.D.; Deondra LeShaun Smith, Psy.D.. Terms expire 2029.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON HISPANIC & LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Staff: Silvia Decja (410) 697-9279; e-mail: silvia.decja@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/hispanic-and-latin-american-community-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Gabriela Argoti-Fernandez, Chair (chosen by Governor), 2024
Lena M. Hernandez, Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029

Jose R. Ballesteros, Ph.D.; Stephanie L. Landaverde; Yuliana P. Macey; Deyanira J. Murga; Maria Ramos Olazagasti, Ph.D.; Julian Perez; Lorena De Pombo; Jennifer N. Rios; Nitzalis Rivera; Gloria A. Salazar; Katie Sambala; Jessy P. Mejia Terry; Javier Toro. Terms expire 2029.

Representing Office of Governor (nonvoting): one vacancy

Ex officio (nonvoting): Harry Coker, Jr., Secretary of Commerce; Lilly Cubano, designee of Secretary of Health; vacancy, designee of Secretary of Housing & Community Development; Stacy L. Rodgers, Acting Secretary of Human Services; Portia Y. Wu, Esq., Secretary of Labor; Susan C. Spinnato, designee of State Superintendent of Schools; Maria C. Torres, Ph.D., designee of Secretary of Higher Education.

COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
Staff: E. Keith Colston (410) 697-9264; e-mail: keith.colston@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/indian-affairs

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice & consent to 3-year terms:
Thomas C. Bradshaw, Chair (chosen by Commission in Dec., 1-year term), 2029
Lawrence A. Dunmore III, Vice-Chair (chosen by Commission in Dec., 1 year term), 2027
Peter Guadalupe Landeros, 2027; Tierra H. Robinson, 2027; Kenneth Maynor, 2028; Clarence N. Tyler, 2028; Sherry Ayers, 2029; Shannon M. Harley, 2029; Norris C. Howard, Jr., 2029.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ARCHEOLOGY COMMITTEE
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL WELFARE COMMITTEE
HEALTH & MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE
RECOGNITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SWEAT LODGE COMMITTEE


GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON MIDDLE-EASTERN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
Staff: Antwan C. Brown, D.S.W. (410) 697-9265; e-mail: antwan.brown@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/middle-eastern-american-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Vacancy, Chair (chosen by Governor)
Ala'a Wafa, Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029

Ammar S. Abdulhamid; Amal K. Ali, Ph.D.; Alissa Deaver; Gunay Evinch; Rabbi Dr. Susan Grossman; Ayesha A. Gulisfan, M.D.; Mohammad Khalil; seven vacancies. Terms expire 2029.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON SOUTH-ASIAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
Staff: Christina Wong Poy (410) 697-9276; e-mail: christina.poy@maryland.gov
web: https://governor.maryland.gov/community-initiatives/ethnic-commissions/south-asian-american-affairs

Appointed by Governor to 4-year terms:
Gurpreet S. (Preet) Takhar, Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029
Ahmed Nawaz, M.D., Vice-Chair (chosen by Governor), 2029

Arti Bhatt. Term expires 2028.

Obaid Ahmad; Bishai Bhandari, D.O.; Ahmad Raza Khan, Ph.D.; Preeti Menon; Nivea A. Ohri, Esq.; Sushma P. Potluri; Faisal Quader, Ph.D.; Fahim M. Rafiq; Amarjeet S. Sandhu; Devang M. Shah, Esq.; Aman K. Shergill; Archana D. Thakkar. Terms expire 2029.

Executive Directors & Special Secretaries for Public Engagement & Community Initiatives, Governor's Office of Community Initiatives

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