The Leadership Staff

The Leadership team is a small but mighty group of dedicated people working toward the common goal of providing best-in-class programming to our current cohort as well as our alumni. From the development of engaging, challenging content to the unique selection of venues off the beaten path, each of us contributes to the overall success of the organization.

DAVID SACHS

Executive Director

I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue my professional passion: creating transformational leadership learning experiences for individuals and groups. Having joined The Leadership in 2013, I am excited by The Leadership community’s potential to continue to contribute to Baltimore’s growth and vitality. Spending my career in the field of leadership development, I have served in strategic management, teaching, and program design roles at Harvard Business School, UMBC, Johns Hopkins, MICA, and T. Rowe Price.

CHARISSE NICHOLS

Director of Engagement

I am joining The Leadership after 15 years in the culturally invigorating world of non-profit theater, most recently as the Brand Director of Baltimore Center Stage. My nine years working with Foreman Wolf as Private Dining Director to General Manager helped me learn how to integrate the excitement of producing collateral with the balance of adept thoughtfulness while creating brand redesign. I have an affinity of Norway and am currently learning how to not only speak but also write Bokmal Norwegian.

TAUREN R EL BEY

Program Assistant

I joined The Leadership in September 2019 as Program Assistant. I am a graduate of Frostburg State University with a major in Mass Communications; and certified in competencies of International Law and Global Diplomacy through The Hague at Universiteit Leiden. I am married to my college sweetheart, O’Dellshae; and we are proud parents of our first born son, Tzarean.

JENNIFER CATHRO

Program Manager

I joined The Leadership in May 2014 as Program Manager. I am a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and have spent most of my professional career in higher education, having worked at Johns Hopkins University, UMBC, the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland College Park, and, most recently, Harvard Business School’s Executive Education. I am the youngest of seven and grew up in Prince George’s County.