The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) announced today the appointment of Michele L. Whelley as chief executive officer and Sharon K. (Markley) Schreiber as chief operating officer, effective Jan. 21^st. Whelley succeeds veteran real estate and government relations adviser Bill Jones, who has served as the organization’s interim CEO since June 2018.

“We spent months searching for the right talent to drive the initiatives of the EAGB and are fortunate to have landed the experience and acumen we were looking for in Michele and Sharon,” said Rick Kohr, EAGB board chair. “I want to thank Bill for his tireless efforts as CEO, helping move the organization forward in a very positive way.”

An economic development professional who is well-known throughout the region’s business community, Whelley will bring new energy and focus to marketing the region, ensuring that EAGB will continue to strengthen its marketing platform as a critical component of fostering and supporting a vibrant and growing economy throughout the Greater Baltimore region.

Whelley’s diverse career as an economic development leader includes serving as the CEO of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, as the founding CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, CEO of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and executive vice-president of the Baltimore Development Corporation. Additionally, she has provided consulting services for Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, several private sector development companies and staffed an economic development practice at Colliers Pinkard, a real estate brokerage company. More recently, Whelley has provided a full range of economic development consulting services to organizations including Howard Hughes Corporation, Baltimore Integration Partnership, Southern Management Corporation, Network Rail Consulting, Inc., and Betamore.

Whelley received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Maryland. She then attended the University of Maryland School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor. She sits on the board of directors for The Hippodrome Foundation, Baltimore Design School and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and is a member of the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Urban Land Institute. Whelley has been recognized by The Daily Record as an “Influential Marylander” (2011) and as one of the “Top 100 Women” (2015) for her career accomplishments and community involvement.

“Having frequently collaborated with EAGB through various roles and consulting assignments, I am thrilled to now work as its CEO with the Board, the region’s economic development and industry stakeholders, Sharon Schreiber and the EAGB staff to advance and celebrate the economic vitality of this asset-rich region.”

As COO for the organization, Schreiber will oversee day-to-day operations and focus on programming and support for EAGB marketing efforts.

Schreiber has provided strategic leadership to public and private stakeholders throughout her career, including the EAGB where she served as executive vice president from 2016-2017. Following the EAGB, Schreiber was the director of education and innovation for the Maryland Department of Commerce leading outreach and relationship development with colleges and universities to support business attraction and growth in the state. Prior to her role with EAGB, Schreiber served in various leadership roles at Stevenson University, her latest role as vice president for public affairs and strategy.

Schreiber received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Notre Dame of Maryland University. She completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE) program as well as the Greater Baltimore Committee LEADERship program. Schreiber is an avid volunteer for nonprofits across the state.

“The EAGB is well-positioned to lead the partnership of regional business executives, government officials and leaders from higher education to foster business retention and development, job creation and new investment in the region,” said Kohr.

The EAGB remains the only public-private organization convening industry, government, education, and philanthropic leaders to foster inclusive economic development throughout Greater Baltimore through marketing the region’s many assets and diverse and vibrant industry sectors.

For more information about the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, visit www.greaterbaltimore.org