PRESS RELEASE: February 2, 2026
Baltimore Development Corporation Announces New Senior Leadership Team
Broderick, Douglass, McDonough and Watson named to executive roles to advance Baltimore’s economic development priorities
BALTIMORE, Md.—The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) today announced a new Senior Leadership Team following a comprehensive national search that attracted more than 200 applicants from across the country and Canada, including candidates from Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, New Jersey and the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. Roy Broderick Jr., De’Von Douglass, Maggie McDonough, and Jeremy Watson were selected to serve in senior executive roles after an extensive, months-long recruitment process.
The team will lead work across strategy, innovation, real estate development, and business growth as BDC continues to expand its responsibilities, reach, and impact under new President and CEO Otis Rolley.
“This group reflects the depth, rigor, and intentionality behind our leadership search,” said Rolley. “Each leader brings a proven track record and distinct expertise aligned to the work ahead, and together they form a leadership bench with the experience and resolve to advance equitable economic development for Baltimore.”
The Senior Leadership Team includes:
Roy Broderick Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer, and Executive Director of Made In Baltimore, brings more than 15 years of experience leading brand strategy and growth for global brands and institutions, including scaling The Authentique Agency into an award-winning firm and serving as chief growth officer at WHTWRKS. He is also the founder of Culture & Clarity, a boutique consultancy advising brands, nonprofits, and institutions on purpose-driven growth. At BDC, he leads integrated business development, citywide brand positioning, and external partnerships.
De’Von Douglass, J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, is an executive strategist with deep experience in data-driven planning, organizational transformation, and inclusive economic growth. Prior to joining BDC, Douglass was the director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Greater Boston Legal Services and founded Aurora Advising, where she supported organizations in advancing equity-centered strategy and change. At BDC, Douglass
shapes the agency’s strategic vision, advancing inclusive growth strategies that center communities traditionally excluded from prosperity.
Maggie McDonough, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, and Executive Director of the Emerging Technology Center, brings more than 20 years of global experience leading innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship programs, and technology-driven economic development initiatives across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including senior leadership roles at Purdue University Applied Research Institute and CRDF Global. At BDC, McDonough leads efforts to strengthen Baltimore’s innovation economy and translate emerging technologies into local opportunity.
Jeremy Watson, Senior Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer, brings more than 15 years of experience delivering complex development and capital investment projects across public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as Principal of Watson Cohen, co-leading adaptive reuse projects, including the $30+ million transformation of the State National Life Building in downtown Baton Rouge, which created 60 affordable housing units for essential workers. At BDC, Watson oversees the agency's real estate development strategy, portfolio management, and large-scale project delivery.
Over the next few months, BDC will continue to build out its leadership structure and team, including additional key roles such as the Chief Economic Development Officer. Information on current openings is available at baltimoredevelopment.com/meet-bdc/careers.
About the Baltimore Development Corporation The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is the entity responsible for economic development in the City of Baltimore. Our mission is to grow the city’s economy in an inclusive manner by retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses and promoting investment, thereby increasing career opportunities for residents. For more information about BDC, visit baltimoredevelopment.com.
