Staff

	Theresa Kuhns Chief Executive Officer Theresa Kuhns serves as Chief Executive Officer of MML. As CEO, Kuhns is responsible for the day-to-day management of the association, strategic communications, and partnerships. She has the honor to lead the 15 member staff team in its practice areas inclusive of advocacy and public policy, leadership development and member experience. Kuhns also serves as Publisher for the bimonthly magazine, The Local. In addition to her executive role, Kuhns serves as a Board of Trustee for the Local Government Insurance Trust and Board of Trustee for National League of Cities Mutual Insurance Company. Kuhns currently serves on the NLC Housing Supply Committee. Kuhns’s background includes over 20 years of association experience ranging from management and operations, advocacy and executive communications.
	Angelica Bailey Thupari, ESQ. Director Advocacy and Public Affairs Angelica leads the Advocacy and Public Affairs team in analyzing state legislation, representing MML before the legislature and implementing strategies to further the League’s policy. She is a skillful public interest attorney with more than seven years of experience in the Maryland legislature.
	Felicia Banuelos Manager Executive Operations and Board Governance Felicia manages the day-to-day executive operations of MML and the MML Board of Directors as well as staff liaison to the Maryland Mayors Association. Felicia guides the efforts for the strategic partnership program. Her personal experience includes almost a decade of service in a member municipality.
	Paula Chase Hyman Managing Director Leadership Development & Member Experience Paula provides management oversight for MML professional development events; and programs that help cities and towns serve as ambassadors for municipal government and increase the public’s knowledge about what municipalities bring to their community. Her experience includes eight years in a member municipality and nineteen years in non-profit management.
	Sharon Easton Manager Member Experience Sharon helps further the goals of MML's member programs primarily focused on onboarding newly elected officials, managing the member database and serving as one of the primary point of contacts to help members navigate their League benefits. Sharon has been a familiar face to Maryland's municipal officials for over 30 years.
	Justin Fiore Deputy Director Advocacy and Public Affairs Justin Fiore is deputy director of the Advocacy and Public Affairs team, representing our members before the state legislature. Justin also serves as MML press officer, helping to share the municipal story. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with dual degrees in political science and public policy before earning his master's in government at Johns Hopkins. Prior to joining MML, Justin served as a committee analyst to late Senate President Mike Miller and as Chief of Staff to Senator Cheryl C. Kagan.
	Iris Ibegbulem Associate Advocacy and Public Affairs Iris plays a vital role in assisting in advocacy outreach and operations. A recent graduate of Morgan State University, she will use her past experience as a legislative intern with the Baltimore City Mayor's Office to support the Advocacy team in their endeavors both within and beyond the Maryland General Assembly session.
	Bill JOrch Director Public Policy and Research Bill serves as the nexus of policymaking and thought leadership for municipal government in the State of Maryland. His effective advocacy and analysis of legislation and regulations delivers critical guidance on policies impacting our members. Bill joined MML in 2016 after years working at various levels of government and in the private sector.
	Steven Lopes Deputy Director Publications and Events Steve leads the efforts of the award-winning conference expositions, directly designing and managing the many partners for Maryland’s exclusive events, where municipal leaders and top-level industry experts connect to continually improve services and opportunities for our communities. Other responsibilities include managing the biweekly publications with a 3,000+ subscriber list.
	Tom Reynolds Senior Director Leadership Development Tom curates member education and develops curriculum through various learning methods.  Tom serves as liaison to the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance, a certificate program offered through the University of Maryland as well as with Sustainable Maryland. He has a background in mediation and conflict resolution and previously worked with the University of Maryland’s Institute for Governmental Service.
	Dionna Richardson Associate Leadership Development Dionna serves as the first touch point to the League and its members. Using her tech-savvy and multi-tasking talents, she plays a pivotal role in the Leadership Development teams ability to serve as the collaboration point to ensure all League services are designed to bring local governments together for an exchange of information, insight and resources.
	Stacie Spragins Deputy Director Leadership Development and Strategic Initiatives Stacie advances member and leadership development initiatives by integrating technology as a tool to develop and deliver education programming and public and member communications. Additionally, she leads the strategic direction on the League’s DEIA framework providing guidance to foster an inclusive culture that increases member engagement. Stacie brings 16 years of experience working for nonprofits, government consulting, and public education.
	Karen Wilbert Controller