New Leadership at Johns Hopkins, Maryland State Bar Association

Johns Hopkins University announced a new vice president for government and community affairs on Tuesday, Maria Harris Tildon.

A Baltimore native with extensive ties to the region, Tildon will begin in the new role for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine starting April 1, according to an announcement from university leaders.

She will spearhead Johns Hopkins’ legislative and regulatory agenda in Maryland, throughout the Washington, D.C., region and in Florida.

Tildon replaces Tom Lewis, who retired from the position in June after working for the institution for more than 16 years. Jeanne D. Hitchcock, a veteran government affairs practitioner, filled in on an interim basis.

Tildon’s hiring was announced jointly Tuesday by JHU President Ronald J. Daniels, Johns Hopkins Medicine CEO and Dean of the Medical Faculty Paul B. Rothman, and Johns Hopkins Health System President and Executive Vice President for Johns Hopkins Medicine Kevin Sowers.

“She will head up our efforts to build and strengthen the institution’s relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, policymakers, business and community leaders, and neighborhood residents, whose engagement and support are vital to our mission,” the Hopkins leaders wrote in a message to colleagues.

Tildon comes to Hopkins from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region, where she most recently served as executive vice president for public policy and government affairs.

Her previous experience includes senior roles at The Century Council, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing policies and programs to address underage drinking and drunk driving, several senior roles in the Clinton administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and practicing law at Venable, LLP.

“Maria’s breadth and depth of experience in working with state and local government leaders in this region, as well as her expertise in health care policy, will be invaluable as she takes on this vital institution-wide role,” the Hopkins leaders wrote.

New Bar Association leaders

The Maryland State Bar Association also announced new leaders on Tuesday.

David Shapiro, a business and health care attorney based in Bethesda, was chosen as president-elect last month and will be sworn in as president in June, at the organization’s annual legal summit.

The bar association’s Board of Governors also nominated Marisa Trasatti for the position of treasurer and Carl Isler for the role of secretary.

Trasatti, a partner with Wilson Elser, concentrates on civil litigation and corporate work, and is a member of the Judicial Disabilities Commission.

Isler is an attorney with the Legal Services Corporation Office of Compliance and Enforcement. He has also held a leadership role within the Women’s Law Center of Maryland and other organizations.

Shapiro also serves as chair of Hearts & Homes for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth who have experienced abuse, homelessness and other trauma.

Republish