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Theresa E. Smith-Mercer, CPE, MS President & Chief Executive Officer Rev. Mercer has 23 years of experience in program and community development working with faith-based, grass roots and professional organizations throughout the country. She was the project specialist for the Maryland Faith Partnership Initiative for the Cabinet Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. As such, Rev. Mercer partnered with faith-based organizations and state agencies to facilitate training and technical assistance to over 500 community leaders throughout Maryland. She has worked with other professionals to design conference agendas and curricula that address the nuances of the faith-based, nonprofit community. Prior to the Governor’s Office assignment, Rev. Mercer was the visiting fellow to the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) in Washington D.C. There she developed and managed the national Value-Based Initiative. Rev. Mercer served as the Director of Chaplaincy for the Baltimore City Police Department, the Maryland Police Corps and the Liberty Medical Center for Baltimore. Rev. Mercer has a Masters in Counseling from the Family Bible College & Seminary and a certification in Clinical Pastoral Education from Sheppard Pratt Hospital. |
- Wanda Pemberton Director of Development
Ms. Pemberton has been working with at-risk youth for the past ten years while employed at The Men’s Center targeting ex-offenders
who are unemployed, under-employed, homeless, and substance abusers. Her job requires that she work with children and parents
providing mediation and anger management interventions to help build better family relationships. For 25 years, Wanda has mentored
and counseled youth and young adults in her church and has been appointed for the last twelve years as the Director of Youth Ministry
at Macedonia Baptist Church where she facilitates workshops and plans cultural enrichment activities. Wanda is an alumnus of
Towson State College.
- Rev. Brian Murray Senior Director of Clergy Relations
Over 12 years of experience. Health care Consultant for several major pharmaceutical companies, pharmaceutical companies, Rev.
Murray received numerous awards. He developed a leadership model with faith-based and community organizations throughout the
Mid Atlantic area.
Currently, Rev. Murray serves as Associate Professor at the United Baptist College and Seminary of Maryland, where he teaches faith-
based approaches to community problems. He is the co-chair for the East Baltimore Faith-based and Secular Service Providers
Collaborative.
In addition, he has a Master’s degree in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary and University.
Theresa Harris has over 18 years of experience in formal instruction and curricula development. She has worked with student populations and adult education programs in Baltimore City and Howard County, Maryland. Her expertise in is curriculum design for grass roots initiatives serving at-risk and special needs groups. As a professional teacher and a nonprofit management instructor, Theresa Harris has trained local and national service providers, particularly faith-based leaders, in the areas of program development, fundraising and services for special populations and is a Curricula Development Specialist. Theresa has a Bachelor’s in foreign language education (Spanish and French) from Morgan State University and a Masters in Education and Counseling from Coppin State, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has also completed an extensive training in nonprofit development and training from the Habakkuk School of Fund Development. |
