410-282-0261|drc@dundalkusa.org
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Staff

Staff2018-11-12T13:16:44+00:00

We’re proud of our roles in energizing and improving life in Dundalk.

Read below and contact us by email or at 410-282-0261. We’ll do our best to help!

Amy Menzer
Executive Director
Amy has been executive director since July 2006. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Geography, where her focus was on strategies for community revitalization. Revitalization remains her passion. Amy loves working with residents, other partners, and staff to find creative ways to improve the community. When Amy isn’t at the office, she can be found at her 7-year-old daughter’s favorite spots including Kids First swim classes and Seasoned Mariner’s beach. Amy thinks the best things about being in Dundalk are the realness, generosity, and can-do attitude of its people, the charm of the Historic District, and the easy public access…
Tasha Gresham-James
Housing Initiatives Manager
Tasha began working at DRC in July 2014. She comes to us after being a stay-at-home mom to her three young children; prior to that she served as the scheduler for two Baltimore City mayors. With us, she's working with homeowners to improve housing stock with our home renovation programs, curb appeal upgrades and senior home repair projects. Tasha loves that she can be part of a grassroots organization that impacts lives and improves neighborhoods. With her husband and children, Tasha enjoys home ownership in new town home construction in Dundalk and loves our local spots, especially Vinny's!
Diane Lesman
Marketing and Development Director
Diane came to Dundalk Renaissance in 2012 by way of Grand Marais, MN, a harbor village 40 miles from Canada on the shore of Lake Superior. There she marketed tourism for Cook County, a destination for arts and outdoor activities. Now Diane markets Dundalk, our community assets, waterfront, housing values and neighborhoods to attract Dundalk’s next generation. After hours, Diane spends time landscaping her Stanbrook rowhome, enjoying jazz nights at Costas, and spending time with her active Baltimore family. Diane’s most rewarding work is helping people fulfill their goals of home ownership through a variety of home buyer events, grants…
Chris Pineda
Community Engagement Coordinator
Chris is a recent graduate of the University of Baltimore with a degree in Government and Public Policy. He worked in retail banking and student life before coming to Dundalk Renaissance in 2017. Chris interacted with student leaders, college administrators, and banking customers while in his different roles. Now Chris is dedicated to focusing on the Historic Dundalk Town Center development to incubate business and help business owners succeed. Chris also coordinates events and is responsible for volunteer coordination. When Chris is not on the job, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, going to the beach, and…
Joan Parrish
Administrative Assistant
Joan came to Dundalk Renaissance in 2017. Born in Virginia and raised in Florida, Joan has been a Maryland resident for approximately 50 years. Joan came to Dundalk Renaissance Corporation under the umbrella of Baltimore County Department of Aging. She is involved with the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP is a wonderful program that provides seniors a way to step back into the employment world, with training, and part-time community service job that helps to provide the senior with valuable training to enter back into gainful employment once again.  Joan likes to stay active and believes that every…
Ralph Wickes
Volunteer Office Manager
Ralph began volunteering with us in October 2004. Ralph is a Dundalk native, with a short stint spent living in Los Angeles working for Universal Studios. When Ralph isn’t busy directing calls, he really enjoys playing a hands-on part in preserving and restoring his hometown, including being our resident Historian! In his spare time, Ralph enjoys walking the familiar streets of Dundalk and meeting with friends old and new.

Executive Director

Amy Menzer

Amy has been executive director since July 2006. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Geography, where her focus was on strategies for community revitalization. Revitalization remains her passion. Amy loves working with residents, other partners, and staff to find creative ways to improve the community. When Amy isn’t at the office, she can be found at her 7-year-old daughter’s favorite spots including Kids First swim classes and Seasoned Mariner’s beach. Amy thinks the best things about being in Dundalk are the realness, generosity, and can-do attitude of its people, the charm of the Historic District, and the easy public access to the waterfront.

Housing Initiatives Manager

Tasha Gresham-James

Tasha began working at DRC in July 2014. She comes to us after being a stay-at-home mom to her three young children; prior to that she served as the scheduler for two Baltimore City mayors. With us, she’s working with homeowners to improve housing stock with our home renovation programs, curb appeal upgrades and senior home repair projects. Tasha loves that she can be part of a grassroots organization that impacts lives and improves neighborhoods. With her husband and children, Tasha enjoys home ownership in new town home construction in Dundalk and loves our local spots, especially Vinny’s!

Marketing and Development Director

Diane Lesman

Diane came to Dundalk Renaissance in 2012 by way of Grand Marais, MN, a harbor village 40 miles from Canada on the shore of Lake Superior. There she marketed tourism for Cook County, a destination for arts and outdoor activities. Now Diane markets Dundalk, our community assets, waterfront, housing values and neighborhoods to attract Dundalk’s next generation. After hours, Diane spends time landscaping her Stanbrook rowhome, enjoying jazz nights at Costas, and spending time with her active Baltimore family. Diane’s most rewarding work is helping people fulfill their goals of home ownership through a variety of home buyer events, grants and resources.

Community Engagement Coordinator

Chris Pineda

Chris is a recent graduate of the University of Baltimore with a degree in Government and Public Policy. He worked in retail banking and student life before coming to Dundalk Renaissance in 2017. Chris interacted with student leaders, college administrators, and banking customers while in his different roles. Now Chris is dedicated to focusing on the Historic Dundalk Town Center development to incubate business and help business owners succeed. Chris also coordinates events and is responsible for volunteer coordination. When Chris is not on the job, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, going to the beach, and planning his next visit to Disney World.

Administrative Assistant

Joan Parrish

Joan came to Dundalk Renaissance in 2017. Born in Virginia and raised in Florida, Joan has been a Maryland resident for approximately 50 years. Joan came to Dundalk Renaissance Corporation under the umbrella of Baltimore County Department of Aging. She is involved with the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP is a wonderful program that provides seniors a way to step back into the employment world, with training, and part-time community service job that helps to provide the senior with valuable training to enter back into gainful employment once again.  Joan likes to stay active and believes that every day should be lived to the fullest. Her hobbies are attending/volunteering at her church regularly, singing karaoke, and kayaking (novice).  Spending time with friends and family is also a priority. Enjoy Life Now has special meaning to her.

Volunteer Office Manager

Ralph Wickes

Ralph began volunteering with us in October 2004. Ralph is a Dundalk native, with a short stint spent living in Los Angeles working for Universal Studios. When Ralph isn’t busy directing calls, he really enjoys playing a hands-on part in preserving and restoring his hometown, including being our resident Historian! In his spare time, Ralph enjoys walking the familiar streets of Dundalk and meeting with friends old and new.