About the Foundation

The Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing Baltimore’s workforce and strengthening its tourism community.

 

We do this by:

• Investing in the next generation of hospitality leaders: We offer academic scholarships to area college students. Since 2015, we have awarded more than $40,000 to support higher education.
• Providing grants for professional development: Our $2,000 professional development awards enable working professionals to begin or advance their education. More than 300 underrepresented residents have gained skills through this program since 2015.
• Funding initiatives that increase accessibility: The diversity grant program invests in nonprofits who require marketing and communications support for events, festivals, interpretive tours and other similar happenings in the city of Baltimore.
• Offering apprenticeships: This 600-hour, paid apprenticeship program provides a student from an underrepresented community the opportunity to gain valuable skills by working within the tourism community. This program is currently on hold due to funding limitations.
• Providing transportation for Baltimore city school children: Our transportation fund makes it possible for students in Baltimore City Public Schools to visit area attractions such as the Science Center, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Aquarium.
• Promoting careers in tourism: Through our presence at job fairs, public outreach and other hiring events, we help connect job-seekers with opportunities in the hospitality, retail and transportation sectors.

The Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, providing oversight of its scholarship programs and fundraising efforts as well as input for its strategic direction.

 

Chairman

Jerry Edwards, CPCE
President and Corporate Chef, Chef’s Expressions

 

Al Hutchinson
President & CEO, Visit Baltimore

Eleni Monois
Group Vice President and Business Banking Marketing Manager, M&T Bank

John Frisch
Executive Leadership Coach, Shawan Leadership

Michael Barrett
Regional Vice President, Centerplate at the Baltimore Convention Center

Gregory Brown
Co-Owner, The Land of Kush

Peggy Daidakis
Executive Director, Baltimore Convention Center

Helene Kahn
Director of Community Growth, Thread

Dawn Kirstaetter
Vice President for Strategic Partnerships & Advancement, Baltimore City Community College

Alex Smith
Owner, Atlas Restaurant Group

Joya Dortch, CMP
Director of Food and Beverage, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

Allison Burr-Livingston
Vice President of Development, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Talib Horne
Director, Annie E. Casey Foundation

 

Executive Staff

J’aime Elskoe-Drayton
Executive Director
Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation

J’aime Elskoe-Drayton
Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation
foundation@baltimore.org
410-659-7054

Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation
c/o Visit Baltimore, Inc.
400 East Pratt Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
foundation@baltimore.org