The Conscious Capitalism Central Maryland Chapter (C3MD) was launched in 2015 as an initiative of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. In 2017 the chapter incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a new board of directors and a renewed mission to promote the philosophy of Conscious Capitalism in the Baltimore / Washington Metro Area.
Our Mission
“C3MD is a purpose-driven business community that promotes the power of capitalism to create positive change, do good, and elevate humanity. We inspire and equip individuals and organizations to embrace and implement conscious business principles through collaboration, educational programs, practical tools, and strategic partnerships.”
Executive Committee
Liz Richardson, President and Programming*
Liz Richardson is a co-founder and owner of Indigo Ink Digital Printing Inc., a full-service print shop located in Columbia, Md. Liz, along with her husband Matt and a business partner, launched Indigo Ink in 2003, believing this new company could better serve quality driven clients. Indigo Ink has grown over the years, serving thousands of clients across the country. However, staying true to purpose, Indigo Ink still focuses primarily on building client relationships in the local Baltimore/DC area. Before launching Indigo Ink, Liz was a Geographer at the US Census Bureau for six years and had small side business as a floral designer. Liz has earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Salisbury University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. She enjoys playing and creating music, rock climbing, skiing, and hiking with her dog. It is her and her husband’s love for the outdoors that has been a driving force for Indigo Ink’s dedication to making both their business practices and print production techniques as environmentally sustainable as possible. Liz currently lives in Catonsville, MD with her husband, dog and cat.
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Mark Donnelly, Vice President*
Mark Donnelly is passionate about sustainability. Creating and living a balanced life and helping others to do the same.
Through his work as a financial advisor, he helps his clients plan and invest to reflect their own unique values. He created Atlas Sustainable Wealth in 2018 to serve his family, friends, and members of his community. He is a Fiduciary, a Certified Financial Planner™, and a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mark also teaches finance at Loyola University Maryland.
Mark loves nature, animals, music, and sharing experiences and stories with people. He will often be found outside walking with his family and friends, or inside singing and playing guitar.
Tanya Rapacz, Secretary and Membership*
Tanya is a Certified Financial Planner™ who has a practice in mediation and facilitation for business partners. For eight years, she has helped business owners define and refine their culture. Now, she has joined a financial advisory firm and is committed to building a financial planning practice that will have a positive impact on all the firm’s stakeholders. Tanya serves on the Strategy & Governance, Programming, and Finance committees.
Kevin Howard, Treasurer*
Kevin grew up in downtown Baltimore in the 60’s and 70’s, a pivotal period of change — and hope — for the city. He graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1983 and earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation in the mid-90’s. He started his CPA firm, Kevin T. Howard, CPA/PFS, P.A., in 2002 and acquired an investment advisory business, Flying Cloud Money Management, LLC, at the same time.
Accountants are trained to categorize transactions and to present accurate, complete and reliable information. Accounting is as much about communication as it is about numbers. Kevin believes that money is an exchange of energy. While good accounting is the foundation of any financial discussion, such a discussion is never finished until all the stakeholders are fully aware of the energy, the risks and rewards, and the ups and downs behind the transactions. The CPA profession calls this seeing beyond the numbers. Do the stakeholders truly understand all the costs and benefits to them? Do they understand what resources are available and need to be available at every step of the way? This is stakeholder integration, the second tenet of Conscious Capitalism — and this is what Kevin’s passion is.
Tracy Turner, Member-at-Large and Programming (co-chair)*
Tracy Turner, Member-at-Large and Programming (co-chair)*Tracy Turner is a community builder and resource liaison.
With over 25 years combined in incubator operations and membership management, Tracy has built impactful relationships with the tech, startup, and nonprofit communities in Central Maryland. Tracy is invested in helping create valuable programs, connections, and business opportunities for entrepreneurs.
In addition to working on Programming, Tracy helps organize Ignite Howard County each year.
*Voting Member of C3MD Board
C3MD Advisory Board
Wendy Baird, Marketing*
Wendy Baird, Marketing*Wendy Baird is president and creative director of Insight180, a branding agency for b2b advisory businesses and nonprofits — those that “sell the invisible.” She has been advising companies on positioning strategy, name development, brand identity, and messaging and design strategy for more than 25 years, helping to align their values with their brand and bring their business visions to life. A 2015 graduate of Leadership Howard County (LHC), Wendy served as co-chair of LHC’s Business Day for the Premier program and serves on the Recruitment Committee. She helps organize Ignite Howard County and served on the boards or advisory committees of Howard Tech Council and National Family Resiliency Center.
Wendy writes and speaks about positioning strategy, naming, differentiation, and the power of purpose in developing a brand. A big-picture thinker who thrives on collaboration, Wendy has a talent for drawing out the creative side of even the most left-brained folks. A Reiki practitioner, and singer, and actress in her spare time, she is known to break into song unexpectedly.
Paul Merena, Operations*
Paul is an experienced Operations Manager who has worked in the green custodial industry for Multicorp Commercial Cleaning for the past 15 years. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Messiah University and an MBA certificate from The Power MBA. He has held various management roles including Assistant Vice President of Operations, Operations Manager of both cleaning and Fire, Life, and Safety, Quality Assurance Manager, and Site Manager. Outside of work Paul enjoys golfing, playing guitar, learning card magic (other magic is fun to watch), traveling anywhere, broadway/live theater, camping or anything outdoors from the beach to the mountains. He also sometimes enjoys running. (Photo coming soon.)
Dr. Tinah Ibironke
Dr. Ibironke started her career in the engineering field over 18 years ago and has worked in several private and public companies. Dr. Ibironke founded a non-profit organization called Diaspora African Network of Powerful Professionals (DANOPP), which was established 5 years ago. The organization focuses on personal and professional development for adults and mentoring for youth and young adults. She is dedicated to nurturing and mentoring young adults in her community with the hope to serve as a female engineer and God-fearing role model to the younger generation. She has volunteered in several non-profit organizations in Maryland such as Art for Heart, United Way, Our Daily Bread, Sister’s Place, Baltimore Leadership School for young women etc. Dr. Ibironke also had the privilege to serve on executive leadership boards of the Employee Resource Groups that she belonged to.
Dr. Ibironke serves as a mentor, coach, speaker, and educator at several conferences, workshops, retreats, and other engagements as she helps to educate and encourage youth, young adults, and adults to build the professional and personal aspects of their lives in accordance with biblical principles.