Wilson, Alatzas to lead fundraising efforts for United Way of Central Md.

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United Way of Central Maryland announced Monday Alicia Wilson, newly appointed vice president for economic development with Johns Hopkins University, and Trif Alatzas, publisher and editor-in-chief of Baltimore Sun Media, will serve as co-chairs of the nonprofit‘s 2019 fundraising efforts.

Together, Wilson and Alatzas represent leadership from two sectors that have fueled United Way of Central Maryland’s successes in the region: corporate engagement and community outreach. Over the course of the next year, they will work to inspire area businesses, individuals, and organizations to ignite change and support United Way’s work to improve the education, financial stability, and health of people in every community across central Maryland.

Wilson, an east Baltimore native with a passion for building relationships between public, private, and nonprofit organizations, leads the newly created Office of Economic Development at Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. In this role, Wilson drives Johns Hopkins’ commitment to improving Baltimore residents’ lives. She brings a history of success in community engagement and economic development through her past roles with Sagamore Development and Gordon Feinblatt.

Alatzas, a Baltimore native and a 17-year veteran of The Baltimore Sun, was named the publisher and editor-in-chief of Baltimore Sun Media in March 2016. In addition to The Sun, Baltimore Sun Media publishes more than 20 central Maryland news sources, including The Capital, Carrol County Times and The Aegis. Under Alatzas’ leadership, The Sun, The Capital and other Baltimore Sun Media publications have received national attention and awards for their work, including investigative journalism, editorial writing and digital reporting. In the community, Alatzas serves on the board of directors for the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Wilson and Alatzas will collaborate with a United Way steering committee of community-based leaders from Baltimore as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. These local leaders will provide awareness and insight into the unique needs of each area.