The Daily Record Announces 2025 Influential Marylanders
Influential Marylanders were selected by the editors of The Daily Record for their significant contributions to their respective fields and for their leadership in Maryland in the following areas: civic leadership, communications, education, finance, freestyle, general business, health care, law, philanthropy, real estate and technology. Elected officials are not eligible for this award because they are by nature influential. A list of honorees is below.
In addition, three-time winners are inducted into the Circle of Influence. This year’s inductees are Thomas Bozzuto, Bozzuto Group; Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown, Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation; Robert Embry Jr., Abell Foundation; Sandy Hillman, KO Public Affairs, LLC; and Jeffrey Rosen, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander (RS&F).
“The 2025 Influential Marylanders are dynamic leaders who are at the pinnacle of their careers, working to improve our lives, our state and our future. They are visionary, respected and actively engaged in the community,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record. “Influential Marylanders mentor other leaders and spark innovation and progress. We at The Daily Record are pleased to honor these outstanding members of the community.”
2025 Influential Marylanders
***Circle of Influence Honoree
Civic Leadership
***Robert Embry Jr., Abell Foundation
Gabriela Lemus, Maryland Latinos Unidos
Michael Sakata, Maryland Transportation Builders & Materials Association
Rachel Sherman, We the People of PG County
Nikki Highsmith Vernick, The Horizon Foundation
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, Global Refuge
Communications
Stewart Bainum Jr., The Baltimore Banner
Amy Burke Friedman, Profiles, Inc.
***Sandy Hillman, KO Public Affairs, LLC
Denise Koch, WJZ
Laura Van Eperen, FOVNDRY
Education
Joseph Baker, Calvert Hall College High School
Ray Jayawardhana, Johns Hopkins University
Anthony L. Jenkins, Coppin State University
Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Archdiocese of Baltimore
Debbie Ricker, Hood College
Terrence Sawyer, Loyola University Maryland
Finance
Christine Aspell, KPMG
Joe Durham, Fulton Bank
Tisha Edwards, Maryland Bankers Association
Thomas “T.J.” Hughes, Truist Bank
Tom Regnante, JPMorganChase
***Jeffrey Rosen, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander (RS&F)
Freestyle
Christopher Dipnarine, 4MyCiTy Inc.
Mark Hanson, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Randi Pupkin, Art with a Heart
Arti Santhanam, ETC Baltimore
General Business
Ron Attman, Acme Paper & Supply Co. Inc.
Catie Griggs, Baltimore Orioles
Mary Kane, Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Jeffrey A. Lipson, Hannon Armstrong
Tamla Olivier, BGE
Lucy Rutishauser, Sinclair, Inc.
Health Care
Jean Accius, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
Kirsten Lyke, University of Maryland Medical System
Brian Pieninck, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Harsh Trivedi, Sheppard Pratt
Kristen Valdes, b.well Connected Health
Law
Gregg Bernstein, Zuckerman Spaeder
Jennifer Curry, Baker Donelson
Jonathan Havens, Saul Ewing LLP
Renee McDonald Hutchins, UM Carey School of Law
Chuck Morton, Venable
Bruce Plaxen, Plaxen Adler Muncy
Anna Sholl, Maryland State Bar Association
Philanthropy
***Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown, Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation
Andrew Cushnir, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore
Erica Joseph, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore
Real Estate
***Thomas Bozzuto, Bozzuto Group
Morgan Gilligan, Stewart Title Guaranty
Peter Pinkard, MCB Real Estate
Amber Wendland, Ayers Saint Gross
Technology
Christopher Barber, Cheaper Than A Geek
Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO
Stanford Oliver, Camelot Secure
Husein Sharaf, Cloudforce
