Current Chief Service Officer selected to lead organization
Business Volunteers Maryland, the leading resource for connecting businesses with community engagement in the region, announces Alissa Ganser as its President and CEO, beginning June 1.
Ganser currently serves as the Chief Service Officer. She follows Julie Crisp Kernan, who led the organization for five years, including during the challenging season of the pandemic. Kernan is retiring on May 31 but will remain on the Business Volunteers’ Board of Directors.
“When I joined the organization, one of the clear visions was to develop a thoughtful leadership succession plan,” Kernan said. “Over the last five years, I have been able to witness the knowledge, skills, ability and passion Alissa brings to her work. She has a deep understanding of what it will take to continue to grow and serve our community, and I could not be more optimistic and supportive of Alissa as the Board’s choice to take my place.”
“In the nearly nine years I have worked for Business Volunteers, I continue to be energized and inspired by the people we work with—our business partners, the leaders, the nonprofits—and the enthusiasm and impact I see following our events and programming,” Ganser said. “With tremendous value for both businesses and nonprofits, it is truly an honor to play matchmaker for social impact. I look forward to serving in this important role and building even stronger bridges between the sectors.”
Ganser has been a staple in the community engagement and social impact space for more than two decades. Across roles at nonprofit and educational institutions throughout the country, including Baltimore’s Abell Foundation, KIPP Baltimore, and Reading Partners, Ganser has built transformative and innovative cross-sector partnerships and mobilized individuals in efforts that drive social change and uplift all parties involved. With a degree in Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University, she understands social systems, the complementary relationship between business and community, and the importance of ensuring professionals have the pathways and knowledge they need to make an impact.
“When we were building the leadership succession plan, Alissa was always at the top of the Board’s mind as a confident and competent leader,” Ron Causey, Business Volunteers Maryland’s Board Chair, said. “Prior to Julie’s arrival in 2019, Alissa served as our Interim Executive Director and then in the years to follow we were able to see her drive successful programming for the business and nonprofit community time and time again. The Board is confident in Alissa as the leader to take Business Volunteers into the future.”
Business Volunteer Maryland’s mission is to inspire volunteerism and connect motivated people and businesses to nonprofit organizations leading to stronger communities. Over the past 21 years, Business Volunteers brings the talents of local business professionals to nonprofit organizations seeking volunteers and board leadership.
