2026 MASSB Annual Conference

Stacy L. Rodgers became Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services in April 2026, bringing over 35 years of government and nonprofit leadership experience. She previously served as Baltimore County's Administrative Officer (2019–2024), overseeing a $4.5 billion budget and roughly 10,000 employees as the first African American and second woman to hold that position. She has also directed Baltimore City's Department of Social Services, served as Deputy Director of Program Operations for the District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency, and served as Deputy Secretary for Programs at Maryland's Department of Human Resources, managing all 24 local Departments of Social Services. Under the Obama administration, she was Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the U.S. Social Security Administration, overseeing strategic planning and daily operations for more than 64,000 staff and a $12 billion budget. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, an MPA from the University of Baltimore, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Leadership Institute. She was named a 2022 Maryland Top 100 Woman and is a 2022 National Academy of Public Administration Fellow.

Phylicia Henry is the Director of Government Affairs for the Maryland Department of Human Services, where she leverages over 15 years of legislative, nonprofit, and advocacy experience to drive systemic policy and support vulnerable populations statewide. Throughout her career, Ms. Henry has championed human welfare and operational excellence. Her previous leadership roles include serving as the inaugural Managing Director of the University of Maryland Baltimore Center for Violence Prevention, Director of Operations at Courtney's House—where she negotiated a historic, first-of-its-kind unlimited child welfare contract—and Chief of Staff in the Maryland General Assembly. A dedicated advocate and lifelong Marylander, she holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Baltimore and a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Addie Nardi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and serves as President of the Maryland Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Over her more than nine years with the organization, Addie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, spearheading advocacy efforts that led to the replacement of the Club's flagship Hagerstown facility with a 22,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art community center. This nearly $15 million project included not only the demolition of the former building, but also the strategic acquisition of adjacent properties to allow for future growth and expanded program delivery. In her role with the Maryland Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Addie collaborates with peer organizations across the state and with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to advocate for funding and advance initiatives that positively impact youth throughout Maryland. Addie is deeply committed to community engagement and service. She has served as a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Hagerstown Safer Stronger Together Initiative and is an active member of the Greater Hagerstown Committee and the Hagerstown Rotary Club.

A certified and credentialed leadership coach, Mary Ellen Waltemire engages individuals and organizations in purposeful planning for continued success. Her passion for enthusiastic collaboration and teambuilding is evidenced by successful intentional work with various not-for-profit, for-purpose organizations. Strategic board development, team building, and creative thinking for all leaders are topics where she excels as a facilitator and coach.

Brittany Wedd is the Executive Director of Children In Need, Inc., where she leads programs serving thousands of children experiencing poverty throughout Washington County, Maryland. With more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, she is passionate about helping organizations use data and storytelling to strengthen board engagement, inspire donors, and demonstrate community impact. As a former foster youth, Brittany brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She was named the 2026 Young Professional of the Year and is committed to equipping nonprofit leaders with practical strategies that create lasting change.

Dave Roberts serves as the Deputy Communications Director at the Maryland Department of Human Services, bringing over two decades of executive experience in strategic communications, media relations, and brand positioning. Prior to joining DHS, he was the Director of Strategic Communications at Mathematica where he transformed the firm's approach to thought leadership and research dissemination. He served in the Obama administration's U.S. Department of Labor for seven years, ending as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Dave began his career advocating for good government practices at the non-partisan, non-profit Council for Excellence in Government and Brookings Institution.

Lillian (Lilly) Price is the Press Secretary for the Maryland Department of Human Services. She manages media relations, proactively pitches impactful agency initiatives, and handles Maryland Public Information Act requests. Before joining DHS, Lilly was a reporter with the Baltimore Sun.