A crowd of over 100 gathered to hear from women leaders in the technology industry last Tuesday, June 13, at the Center Club in Baltimore. The event was the third in the City Genius series, which features many of Baltimore’s most committed, inspirational, and innovative business leaders. The founder and moderator of the City Genius series is Edwin Warfield, CEO of citybizlist and former publisher of The Daily Record.

The participants were as varied as the businesses in which they are engaged.Baltimore has a burgeoning technology industry that is driven by many young professionals, including numerous female CEOs and entrepreneurs. One of the major cities in the U.S. to attract many tech start-ups and incubator facilities, Baltimore is also a thriving venture capital business community with innovative investors. These developments are a very positive component in the business future of Baltimore City—an encouraging development at a time when the city needs significant help improving its business core.

The women entrepreneurs and visionaries included:

• Christy Wyskiel, senior advisor to the president of Johns Hopkins and head of Tech Ventures
• Susan “Suzy” Ganz, CEO and chairmanof Lion Brothers Co.
• Nicole Tucker- Smith, CEO and founder of Lessoncast
• Susan Aplin, CEO and co-founder of Bambeco
• Carolyn Yarina, CEO and co-founder of Sisu Global Health
• Sarah Hemminger, CEO and co-founder of Thread

Christy Wyskiel is involved at Johns Hopkins with transferring technology from academic settings to the business world and the creation of marketable products. The ecosystem she is creating is built on three core components: spaces, infrastructure, and funding. This area of development has the potential to greatly impact Baltimore City’s economy. Wyskiel recognizes that involvement in the local political arena is an important component to the success of these efforts. The city government needs to improve in their understanding, support, and involvement of Baltimore’s technology industry growth and the jobs this industry can provide.

A Video Conversation with Christy Wyskiel, Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University

Suzy Ganz of Lion Brothers Co. has recognized that corporate survival requires embracing technology and globalization. The Lions Brothers Co., a manufacturing company founded in 1899, is a successful company focused on integrating creative design with technology to create new innovations with national and international brands. Suzy runs the company like a start-up organization, thrusting a Baltimore apparel company into the new world order of technology and innovation.

A Video Conversation with Susan Ganz, CEO of Lion Brothers

Nicole Tucker-Smith of Lessoncast is working to improve student outcomes and teacher quality while measuring impacts and results. These objectives certainly applyto the extensive needs of the Baltimore City Public School System, and Lessoncast provides a platform for teachers to share ideas. Tucker-Smith is an advocate for diversity and the benefits it brings to quality education and teaching. Frank Bonsal, director of Entrepreneurship at Towson University, has been working with Tucker-Smith to develop and market the Lessoncast platform.

Lessoncast: A New Tool to Help Teachers Up Their Game

Susan Aplin of Bambeco is starting new conversations about sustainability and commerce in Baltimore City. Having worked with Williams Somona, Inc.; The Gap; Staples; and The Sport Authority, Aplin now seeks to increase sustainability and environmental stewardship by promoting sustainable, stylish products. Technology is key to Bambeco’s mission and the company is recognized for measurable contributions to sustainability, innovation, and leadership.

A Video Conversation with Susan Aplin, CEO and Co-founder of Bambeco

Carolyn Yarina of Sisu Global Health, a global medical device company, is engaging in new conversations about global health and solving health problems with technology. The company is building a pipeline to strengthen health systems through medical device commercialization. Sisu Global Health seeks to end health care disparities by developing medical technology that addresses critical needs in emerging markets around the world. Considering that 80 percent of the world’s medical devices are designed for ten percent of the world’s population,according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Sisu Global Health has a formidable challenge. The nexus of medical devices and technology is a natural fit for Baltimore City considering the medical institutions in the area.

A Video Conversation with Carolyn Yarina, CEO and Co-founder of Sisu Global Health

Sarah Hemminger of Thread is focused on education, poverty, and crime. Thread, a non-profit volunteer mentoring program, seeks to mobilize people to make a positive impact in children by weaving lives together. This is accomplished by using technology to pair adults with students from the bottom 25 percent of classes in three inner-city schools with volunteers providing support systems to help students be successful. With the goal of overcoming socioeconomic barriers, this non-profit organization is making a difference in students’ lives when many Baltimore City public schools are failing. Hemminger, with an undergraduate degree and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins, understands the history and demographics of Baltimore City and why the efforts of Thread are vitally essential to the city. Understanding and engagement by the city government in organizations such as Thread must be more evident and realistic for a lasting impact to be made.

A Video Conversation with Sarah Hemminger, CEO and Co-founder of Thread

The recognition of these women entrepreneurs and visionaries plays a significant role in the evolving economy of Baltimore City.The Pugh administration and the City Council needs to be more cognizant and supportive of these entities and the role technology plays inthe economy of Baltimore City for the twenty-first century.