According to the organization’s website, “The Maryland Corporate Council is the new standard in LGBT business and corporate networking. Established as a statewide non-profit organization and dedicated to bringing together top-level LGBT corporate executives and thought leaders for networking, business advancement, educational and charitable events.”
The sponsors include: Constellation Energy Group, DLA Piper, Duane Morris, LLP, Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Ernst & Young, Mike McManmon/Ernst & Young LLP, Legg Mason, Venable, TedHart.com, Washington Blade, David Downey/Cassidy Turley, and Chris Apple/Ernst & Young LLP.
At the two-hour event, Ted Hart, co-founder and President of MCC, reviewed how and why the organization was formed. “Never before, have so many gay and lesbian business professionals gathered together in mutual solidarity,” he stated in his remarks. “Tonight we take stock in the amazing levels of support our straight brothers and sisters afford us here in Maryland, while we hope this will be the year we are personally granted equal status under the law…We blend in, we succeed, and we lead. This is where the Maryland Corporate Council will become the glue that binds our LGBT and straight ally small business, nonprofit and corporate leaders together.”
A full slate of activities is scheduled throughout the year with the exception of July and August. These include several events involving professional mentors and young professionals, a number of community or charitable events, a Pride networking event, mixers, and a variety of business-oriented educational seminars. Six Board of Directors meetings are also scheduled.
Besides Hart, who is CEO of Hart Philanthropic Services Group, the other members of the Board of Directors include: MCC Co-Founder and Chairman Scott H. Marder, Partner, Duane Morris, LLP; Christopher Apple (MCC Vice President), Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP; David J. Downey, Jr. (MCC Secretary), Senior Vice President/Principal, Cassidy Turley; William Jones, (MCC Treasurer), Officer/Branch Manager, SunTrust Bank; Charles A. Berardesco, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Constellation Energy; Sophie Dagenais, Director, Baltimore Civic Site and Initiatives, Annie E. Casey Foundation; Heidi Hansan, Partner, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.; Katheryn King, Regional Vice President, US Bank; Michael McManmon, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; and Kevin Naff, Owner/Editor, Washington Blade.
Mark R. Fetting, Chairman and CEO, Legg Mason, Inc. delivered the keynote address focusing on the importance of acceptance and diversity in a successful workforce. Other speakers included Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Equality Maryland Board Chair Lisa Polyak. The session concluded with an hour of networking.
Over 200 attended the launch. “We have 11 members on the board and over 100 memberships already committed,” Ted Hart told Baltimore OUTloud. “This was very exciting to have such strong support before we even launch.”
Hart added, “I think the need and the desire for this sort of organization has existed for a long time. Several attempts have been made. What is different about this effort is the business plan developed, the business orientation, and the senior level support recruited and committed.”
