Staff Updates at MLSC

We are excited to share some news about our team! 

With increases in the number of grants we administer and grantees we fund, we are delighted to announce some updates to our team that will allow us to work at full capacity and provide the necessary support to enable our grantees to carry out their important work.  

Grants Team Promotions 

  • Dave Pantzer, formerly the Deputy Director, has taken over all things related to grants, as the new Chief Program Officer. He will oversee the strategic direction and implementation of all our grant administration. 
  • Athana Kontinos was Grants Compliance Manager and is our new Director of Information and Operating Grants. She will manage the flow of reporting information and our operating grants portfolio.  
  • Karen Wabeke started as our ACE Program Manager and is now the Director of Special Programs expanding her role to oversee other special program grants, such as Immigration, Workforce, Foreclosures, and Internships.   
  • Casondra Kus, MLSC’s Grants Coordinator, is expanding her role to provide considerable grantee guidance and support throughout the grant cycle. 

New Hires 

  • To support our grants team in their new roles, we have hired Meredith Bond, Special Programs Coordinator, and Joy Hamilton, Grants Administration Assistant. Meredith will assist Karen in coordinating and implementing the special programs, while Joy will support the entire grants team in the administrative aspects of grant management.   
  • We also have Aisha Ahmad at the front of the office as our Office Administration and Communications Assistant. Aisha will be the first point of contact for our visitors and callers, as well as handle the office operations and communications.   

Operations Updates 

We are also excited to announce some additional changes in our team. Cindy Wallace, formerly Finance and HR Director, is now our Chief Operating and Financial Officer. Cindy will oversee the financial, operational, and human resources functions of MLSC.   

Kaa Andam, formerly IOLTA Compliance Manager, is now the Director of IOLTA. Kaa will lead the implementation, administration, and expansion of the IOLTA program.  

Shawdae Harrison is giving up her front office duties as Operations Coordinator to become the IOLTA Coordinator. Shawdae will assist Kaa in managing the IOLTA program, as well as provide technical support and training to IOLTA participants.  

Please join us in congratulating everyone on their new roles and responsibilities and welcoming our new team members. We are fortunate to have such talented and committed staff members who are ready to take on new challenges and opportunities. We look forward to working with them and all of you to advance our mission of increasing access to justice for all Marylanders.