The Family Tree, Inc.

We are thrilled to announce one of the newest members of The Family Tree Leadership Board as Ellen Melzer! Ellen Melzer is a retired educator, who holds a dual degree in Elementary Education and Reading Specialist from Northeastern University. She ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Ellen Meltzer & Associates after attending Bentley College. Functioning as an independent contractor, Ellen played a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day bookkeeping activities for small family-owned businesses. Transitioning to the field of education in 1992, Ellen dedicated herself to teaching across all grade levels, from preschool to high school, until 2017. In the latter part of her career, she served as a Skill Builder for high school students, contributing to significant improvements in their grades and better preparing them for college or the next phase of their lives. Ellen was a founding member of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women in 2013. She served on the Executive Leadership Board, and she chaired several American Heart Galas. In 2013, Ellen took on a significant role in The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore, actively participating in a group to explore its offerings. Where she dedicated her time to Chai, providing a safe haven for women escaping abusive relationships. Over the course of a year, Ellen played a crucial role in supporting these women, helping them achieve emotional and financial independence. Ellen volunteers at the American Heart Association, championing various heart health-related causes. Ellen and her husband Neil live in Baltimore County. Thank you for your commitment to Maryland’s families.    

We are thrilled to announce another one of the newest members of The Family Tree Leadership Board as Casaundra Leonard! Casaundra Leonard is the Senior Vice President of People & Culture for CFG Bank and Capital Funding Group. With over 20 years of industry experience, she brings a strategic approach to ensuring the organization's HR practices align with its overall goals and objectives. As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Casaundra holds a key position in shaping the company's organizational culture and creating an environment that fosters employee growth and engagement. She is responsible for overseeing all HR operations, including talent acquisition and retention, workforce planning, performance management, employee development, and employee relations. Prior to her current role, Casaundra held various leadership positions in prestigious corporations, where she successfully developed and implemented innovative HR initiatives. Beyond her professional career, Casaundra is dedicated to making a positive impact within the HR community. She actively participates in industry conferences and seminars where she shares her expertise on HR best practices and emerging trends. Casaundra volunteers her time to mentor aspiring HR professionals, helping them navigate their careers and develop essential skills. As a certified Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion trainer, her passion for building inclusive and thriving workplaces is evident in her commitment to fostering a supportive work environment where every employee can reach their full potential. Thank you for your commitment to Maryland’s families!

We are thrilled to announce one of the newest members of The Family Tree Leadership Board as Asma Naeem! Asma Naeem is the Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director at the Baltimore Museum of Art. She previously served as the Museum’s Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Chief Curator. She has organized exhibitions on the work of such artists as Candice Breitz, Isaac Julien, Salman Toor, and Valerie Maynard, as well as the critically acclaimed presentation of the global impact of hip-hop on contemporary art. Prior to the BMA, she held curatorial positions at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, where she presented an early career retrospective of the work of Titus Kaphar, and a historical & contemporary exploration of the silhouette through the lens of gender, race, and technology. She has written widely on American art, contemporary art, the South Asian diaspora, and museum studies. Her book, Out of Earshot: Sound, Technology, and Power in American Art, 1847–1897, was published by University of California Press in 2020. One of her long-term projects is an exhibition exploring the transatlantic, multigenerational exploration of the Partition of British India in terms of trauma, dignity, and futurity (TBA). Asma holds a BA in art history and political science from Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in art history from the University of Maryland. She is also a lawyer who worked for many years for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and later in Washington DC at the Office of Bar Counsel. Asma was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and moved to Baltimore when she was nearly two years old. She currently lives in Howard County with her husband Babar Shafiq and three children. Thank you for your commitment to Maryland’s families!

We are celebrating freedom, love, and diversity this Juneteenth! #Juneteenth

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers & fatherly figures who are making an impact on children every day. We are thankful for you all! #fathersday

Many thanks to Sorrel King and Rellebee for a fabulous night! It was a fun gathering, featuring beautiful leather goods, and the important work that The Family Tree does to support Maryland families. Best of all, Rellebee donated a portion of the proceeds to The Family Tree.

The other evening, The Family Tree hosted its Annual Meeting and celebrated a change in leadership. Thank you to Tom Peltier for serving as Board President for the past 3 years. Tom handed over the gavel to our next President, Andrew Michael. Thank you for your commitment to TFT and Maryland’s families!

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