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OUR TEAM

MERIT Staff
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Jimmy Tadlock

Executive Director

jimmy.tadlock@meritbaltimore.org

Prior to joining MERIT Health Leadership Academy, Jimmy Tadlock served
as the Program Director for CollegeBound Foundation in Baltimore. Jimmy
helped rebuild the foundation of CollegeBound’s college access program by
creating its first college retention program and was actively involved in
numerous collaborative work groups and committees to support student
success in the Greater Baltimore Area


Jimmy Tadlock graduated from Florida State University and served as a
Cryptologist in the US Navy, where he posted in assignments in various
parts of the world and the National Security Agency (NSA). After the Gulf
War, he resigned his commission and taught middle school math and science
for the Baltimore City Public Schools. Concerned about students least likely
to succeed, Mr. Tadlock designed a model program which caught the
attention of NASA. The success of this program became the model for Earth
KAM, a project whereby school children throughout the country can
communicate with astronauts and monitor space shuttles. His success in the
classroom has led to his teaching summers at the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore.

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Samuel Walker III

Director of Operations

samuel.walker@meritbaltimore.org

Samuel Walker III is an experienced College Access, Career Development, and Educational Consulting professional. Mr. Walker is a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics.

 

Driven by a desire to elevate disadvantaged communities' social, educational, and economic outcomes, he takes pride in providing his talents in solving complex problems and issues.

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India Leach

Program Director - College Success

india.leach@meritbaltimore.org

India Leach is a dedicated College Access and Retention Guru, born and nurtured in Baltimore City. As a student‐focused leader who seeks to drive results around college access, she began her college advising career with the College Bound Foundation. That work led to positions in student support and academic advising at Walden University, KIPP through College ‐ Baltimore, and Towson University. At Towson, India served as the Coordinator of Outreach and Retention for the last four years. On Towson’s campus, India also served as an advisor to several student organizations and a member of several committees who support diversity and inclusion work on campus. India graduated from MERVO High School and then obtained her Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park. India has a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Towson University and is now working to finish up her PHD at Morgan State University.

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Christine Redline

Program Manager - High School Success

christine.redline@meritbaltimore.org

Prior to joining MERIT Health Leadership Academy, Christine served as the Director of the BEESMART Program operated by Living Classrooms Foundation, also in Baltimore.  As a result of experiences in both her personal life and professional career, Christine has developed a deep-seated passion for ensuring that all individuals have access to resources, supports, and opportunities that will enable them to overcome any challenge, and ultimately achieve excellence in their own education and career.  She loves to track and celebrate student progress, and in turn demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of high-quality programming to internal stakeholders as well as outside groups.  Christine enjoys finding common ground and connecting with teachers/school administrators, professionals/experts, parents, and students from a wide variety of backgrounds.   [M.S. Environmental Education, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.]

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Cameron Wardell

Program Manager - College Success

cameron.wardell@meritbaltimore.org

Cameron Wardell is an experienced educator originating from Annapolis, MD. He received his undergraduate degree, a B.A. in History, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation, Cameron taught Kindergarten-4th grade in Teach for America (San Antonio). He was twice Teacher of the Year and held many leadership roles in the organization and on his campus. Additionally, he has educational experience as a Center Director for Sylvan Learning, Outdoor Facilitator for Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, & Vietnam High School Trip Leader for Putney Student Travel. Cameron enjoys his beloved Tar Heels, Reddit, and the show Survivor.

MERIT Board of Directors

Board Chair

Dr. Sherita Golden

Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Staff Success Chair

Chitamawe Daka Mulwanda

Manager of Equity Programs

Baltimore City Public Schools

Strategic Growth Chair

Dr. John Kontor

Executive Vice President

Optum

Dr. David Hellmann

Director

Johns Hopkins Center for Innovative Medicine

Dr. Ilana Mittman

Genetic Counselor

Anne Arundel Medical Center

Dione Powell

Vice President of Human Resources Employee and Labor Relations at Johns Hopkins Medicine

Latosha Annan

Chief Executive Officer

Trust Harmony

MERIT Co-Founder

Dr. Tyler Mains

Assistant Medical Officer

Jail Health Services at San Francisco Department of Health

Vice Chair

Dr. Rudy Ruiz

Partner

Four Point Education Partners

Fundraising Chair

Kristin Kosmides

Head of Global Citizenship

Franklin​ Templeton

Treasurer

Brian McDonald
Audit Partner

KPMG

Geoffrey Genth

Principal Attorney

Kramon and Graham 

Karen Dates Dunmore

Senior Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Development

University of Maryland Medical Center

Dr. Scott Wright

Director of the Division of General Internal Medicine

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

MERIT Co-Founder

Shyam Gadwal

Vice President of Programs

APIA Scholars

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