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. 

Danette Nguyen was appointed Managing Director of the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) effective November 2022. In her new role as Managing Director, Danette is looking forward to empowering women entrepreneurs as they start, grow, and expand their business in Maryland’s Capital Region.

Prior to joining MWBC, Danette served as the Deputy Director/Programs Manager for Fairfax City’s Office of Economic Development. In that role, Danette oversaw program management, community engagement, grant administration, an extensive portfolio of placemaking programs, and various small business support initiatives. In 2020 and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Danette assisted with the development and implementation of small business support programs and led the Fairfax City’s Seasonal Outdoor Dining Pilot Permit Program in response to the need for active outdoor public spaces following the pandemic.

Danette has served on community development boards throughout her career and has earned prestigious awards and certifications for her work in the economic and community development field. These include the Jack Wood Town-Gown Award from George Mason University and an Emerging Leader Fellow certificate administered by the International Downtown Association.

Danette graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems and Marketing from George Mason University.

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.

Francisco Cartagena is the 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.

Zeinna 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 Admin, Zeinna 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 2 cats, a rescue dog, and her boyfriend (who is also a small business owner!).

Zeinna joined the MWBC team in March 2023. As a freelancer herself, she looks forward to contributing to the growth and success of women-owned businesses by organizing memorable training and events.

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. 

Tiffany Bethea is the Associate Business Consultant for Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s County. She brings to the role a passion for empowering women and 12+ years experience as an agency owner and consultant.

A native Baltimorean, Tiffany is also an award-winning speaker, brand strategist, and bestselling author. She has a degree from Hampton University and is certified in digital marketing. She is also a GrowthWheel Certified Consultant.

Tiffany has helped countless women launch new businesses taking them step by step from idea to market. She has also helped hundreds women scale their existing businesses to reach more people and create a significant revenue increase. She has a special knack for helping women get unstuck and creating a simple plan to reach their next goal.

In her role with Maryland Women’s Business Center, she is excited to host one-on-one counseling sessions, serve as a trainer and consultant for Shop Local Incubator participants, and facilitate various virtual and in-person trainings. When Tiffany is not working, she is enjoying quality time with her teenage son, music, travel, and cooking.