Richelle Wilson is the Deputy Director for Rockville Economic Development, Inc.  In her previous role, she worked as the Associate Director of Analytics for the Washington D.C. region. Her responsibilities included authoring reports, creating ad hoc research, researching and analyzing local commercial real estate trends, and giving presentations for clients. Prior to that, she worked on the strategy team as the Research and Special Projects Manager. 

Richelle is a proud Pirate and holds a B.A. in Communications from Hampton University. She gives back to the community as a mentor for Urban Community Alliance and is an Ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Her expertise in research, analytics, and real estate trends are assets to REDI and the Rockville business community Richelle serves. 

Francisco Cartagena is the Interim Managing Director of Maryland Women’s Business Center and Program Manager for the Bowie State University Women’s Business Center (BSU WBC). He is a dynamic leader in the field of entrepreneurship and community engagement who leverages his extensive experience and commitment to empower individuals and businesses in pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.

Francisco earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from UMBC at The Universities at Shady Grove, showcasing his dedication to higher education and personal growth. His passion for creating inclusive and supportive environments has driven his career, as he seeks to provide a safe space for collaboration, innovation, and networking among students, program participants, and community members.

Throughout his professional journey, Francisco has been recognized for his contributions to community development and empowerment. His role at BSU WBC allows him to continue making a significant impact, facilitating connections, and supporting individuals in accessing educational opportunities and potential funding sources.

With a focus on fostering growth, Francisco is dedicated to bringing exciting initiatives to BSU WBC and looks forward to collaborating with those who share his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and transformative leadership.

Amanda Bosland is the Marketing & Communications Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. with over 10 years’ experience helping nonprofits and businesses communicate and sell effectively around the world.

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Spanish at the University of the West Indies. She began her career in destination marketing with the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago, has since broadened her focus to marketing and branding for businesses in a variety of industries, including education, gaming, food and beverage, and e-commerce.

Amanda comes to REDI from Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, where she piloted a Retail Development program for Fresno County and its 15 cities in 2017. She also served as their Client Services Manager, overseeing a pipeline of leads representing over $2 billion in investment.

Amanda’s passion for marketing communications lies in helping companies craft strategies that engage staff and create loyal customers, while positively affecting the communities they serve.

Martha Jimenez is a bilingual Montgomery County  Supervising Business Counselor. A native of Colombia with more than 25 years of experience in business administration, Martha spent 10 years as an independent international consultant for various companies in Latin America. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for developing successful business strategies and new channels for business development.

Her priority is to focus on her client’s needs and provide innovative business ideas that will help them conquer professional and business success. Martha holds a B.S. in Business Administration, an MBA in Management and she is also certified in Project Management. She has a special interest in the literature about success and leadership, and she enjoys developing training sessions for her clients about various areas of business.

Zeinna Estrada is the Marketing & Events Manager, coordinating and promoting programs that serve women entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Maryland’s Capital Region. She is a born-and-raised Montgomery County local. Starting off in the restaurant industry at a young age, she learned the importance of curating exceptional experiences for her guests. After gaining customer service and hospitality skills, she switched gears and used that expertise to pursue an Administrative Assistant position, where she worked at a coworking space for small businesses. She was responsible for creating a community catering to entrepreneurs and providing a quality working environment for the members. During her time as an Administrative Assistant, Zeinna regularly interacted with business owners of all stages and evolved her graphic design skills by taking online courses at University of Maryland University College. With a few years of industry knowledge under her belt plus her passion for creativity, she was eventually offered a position in the marketing department. Zeinna learned valuable skills and tools that would eventually inspire her to begin freelance brand identity and design on the side. She has worked with many different types of small businesses, creating print and digital design assets. Zeinna is dedicated to using her aptitude to help other businesses thrive.

Outside of work, Zeinna’s hobbies include music, art, and spending time with her little family made up of two street cats, a huge rescue dog, and her partner (who is also a small business owner!).

Zeinna joined the MWBC team in March 2023 as the Training & Events Coordinator, pivoting to the Marketing & Events Manager in January 2024. As a freelancer herself, she looks forward to contributing to the growth and success of women-owned businesses.

Karen Kalantzis is the new Associate Business Counselor for Frederick County. She is an experienced small business community builder with a demonstrated history of working in program development. Most recently, she was the Director, Community Programs for the Business Innovation Network, Montgomery County’s business incubator program where she created training classes and provided business technical assistance to members.

Prior to that, she worked for Montgomery County’s Department of Economic Development as a program manager for the Silver Spring and Wheaton Innovation Centers. She joined the small business ecosystem after starting an IT company called Corporate Network Services in 1993 with her business partner. The company was a Maryland Certified Woman Owned Small Business, named to the Inc. 5000 fastest growing businesses list, and a winner of numerous Best Place to Work awards.

A native Chicagoan, Karen earned a Bachelor of Science from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University and an MBA from George Washington University. She is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Core Class of 2018. On a personal note, Karen has three adult children, loves to travel and often visits our local beaches. 

Mallory Carlson oversees the MWBC Shop Local retail incubator, focusing on day-to-day program operations, participant mentorship, and community partnerships. With a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from Stevenson University and expertise in retail and program management, she supports entrepreneurs in building successful, sustainable businesses.

Mallory began her career in retail, where she recognized that customer service is essential for building customer loyalty, driving growth, and establishing a strong brand reputation. Her program management experience includes leading training initiatives and improving operational efficiency to enhance team performance.

Passionate about supporting women-owned businesses, Mallory joined MWBC in November 2024 and looks forward to making a meaningful impact on the community.