LEADERSHIP & STAFF OF SAMARITAN COMMUNITY

our BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Samaritan Community is comprised of a15-member group, with an additional three serving in an advisory capacity, of diverse individuals who are leaders in areas of law, finance, accounting, business, education, and global health.

Our Board members are volunteers who provide strategic leadership of Samaritan Community, serve on specific committees within the organization, and are involved in Samaritan Community services and events throughout the year.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Alma Bell
President
Ms. Bell is our Board President, leading the organization today while preparing it for tomorrow. She has been with us since our very beginning, serving as one of our earliest volunteers when we were a simple food cupboard.

Ms. Bell is a third generation Baltimorean and worked for more than 30 years in various capacities for Baltimore City. She has been very involved in organizations throughout the city including the YWCA, the Episcopal Diocese, Center Stage Theatre, her alma mater Morgan State University, as well as packing lunches at Paul’s Place.

“One of the things that I love about Samaritan Community, is that people are able to come to us for a few weeks or a few years, depending on their needs. That is truly special.” 

Marjorie Forster
Vice-President
Ms. Forster serves under The Honorable Myshala Middleton as our Board Vice-President and a member of the Board. Until her recent retirement, her entire career was dedicated to research administration, technology transfer, and global and international health initiatives in institutions of higher education. Also a volunteer member of the Daughters of the British Empire as Regent, Ms. Forster also works to expand Samaritan's work.

"Through our individual and collective capabilities, we will continue to grow and expand our community support. Everybody here is an important piece of the larger Samaritan puzzle."

Jeffrey Quinn, CPA
Treasurer
Mr. Quinn brings over 15 years of experience with him as our Board Treasurer since 2014. He currently serves as Operations Controller at CJ Miler, LLC, a full-service site contractor based in Carroll County, MD. As a certified public accountant (CPA), he enjoys leveraging his professional skills as a volunteer. 

"It's exciting to apply my accounting knowledge in ways that will positively impact others."

George Maris
Secretary
Mr. Maris serves as our Board Secretary. Trained as a lawyer, he practiced for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He has lived in Baltimore since 1990, where he also worked in several departments at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). In his spare time, Mr. Maris enjoys the arts, particularly music, drawing, as well as reading. 

"None of us should forget our fellow travellers, especially those needing assistance.  Too many can find themselves experiencing difficulties with no apparent place to seek help.  The Samaritan Community offers assistance with food as well as help with finding jobs, housing, and education among other things."

BOARD MEMBERS

Wendy Cohan
Steve Howard
Edwin Lewis
Legrand Lindor, Esq.
The Honorable Myshala E. Middleton
April Perry
Eric Somerville
Vabren Watts, PhD
Margaret Whitman
Kate Wolfson
Wendy Yap

The Rev. Grey Maggiano
Ex-Officio

Lynn Cripps
Advisor

Joyce Ramelmeier
Advisor

Alex Weber
Advisor

OUR STAFF

The staff of Samaritan Community offers members comprehensive programs and services on a daily basis. Our small team has a wide-range of expertise in the areas of counseling, case management, social services, volunteer management, fundraising, administration, accounting, and communications.

Sharon Krieger, Program Director

Sharon started at Samaritan Community more than 40 years ago, when she was asked to run a counseling program for people who accessed the food pantry in the basement of Memorial Episcopal Church. Under her leadership, Samaritan Community has grown to become what it is today - a full-service crisis intervention and counseling program. Sharon oversees every aspect of programming at Samaritan Community. Her dedication to the organization and the people we serve is unparalleled. 

"Our message to those who enter our doors is that who you are, and what you have to give is enough. My hope is that Samaritan will always be able to say in word and in action; all are welcome, you are valued, don't give up, people really do care, and we can help." 

Jamie Griffith, Assistant Program Director (bio coming soon!)

David Hansen, Assistant to the Director
In his role as Assistant to the Director, David has a wide-range of responsibilities. He ensures food pantry coverage, works closely with clients on their needs, assists with reporting, and more.

"I love the diversity of our members. Everyone has a unique story and brings something different. I’ve learned so much from our members and love that one of our main goals is to make everyone feel they are cared about.”

Peter Dunn, Director of Community Relations

As Director of Community Relations, Peter is responsible for informing the greater Baltimore community about the work of Samaritan Community, and thus creating a greater network of support. 

"My favorite part of working at Samaritan Community is getting to see our members transform their lives and become the people they had hoped to be.

Emily Reichart, Donor Relations Manager

In her role, Emily works on grant writing, fundraising activities, and communication initiatives.

"I can't say enough about how proud I am to be a part of Samaritan Community. When people know that others care about them, value them, and genuinely want to help them succeed - that's when amazing things happen." 

Nirina Randrianarivelo, Administrative Assistant