The rent you owe living in this world is to lend your hand to others in need. — Lee Millard
A well-rounded body of work as an agent for change best describes a career nurtured in service and leadership. Family League's 5th President & CEO, Demaune Millard was raised in Baltimore grounded in his mother's words: "the rent you owe living in this world is to lend your hand to others in need."
The phrase summarizes a career spanning tenures in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Upon completing his first year of college, Demaune was selected as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation intern for U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-7). This opportunity was the first instance exposing him to the importance of the legislative process on Capitol Hill. Subsequently, he interned with D.C. lobbying giant Cassidy & Associates and was eventually hired on staff as a researcher covering U.S. Senate and House committees while drafting briefs for the firm's partners and associates.
Always intrigued with the mystique and history of the United States Senate, Demaune interned for Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and was employed full time following college. Like many Mikulski junior staffers, he started in the mailroom before earning his way onto her legislative team; handling issues such as labor, trade, small business, telecommunications, commerce, and transportation.
Following four years of service in the Senate, Demaune left Capitol Hill for Maryland State Government. As a legislative officer for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), he worked directly with the state legislature to adopt the administration's $502 million public transportation initiative. At MDOT he also staffed the workgroup charged with the reauthorization of the state's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, resulting in legislation that increased participation goals from 14 to 25 percent. He then received a promotional assignment to the office of Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D-MD) as a special assistant, where he organized environmental advocates to restore $10 million in budget cuts.
Prior to coming to Baltimore's City Hall, Demaune worked for the American Public Transportation Association, where he organized advocacy activities in support of the D.C.-based trade association's policy goals. In this role, he coordinated with partners across the country through the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates and the Center for Transportation Excellence in developing awareness on critical issues facing public transportation nationwide. These efforts contributed to Congress reauthorizing the federal surface transportation law TEA-21.
As the first African American woman sworn in as Mayor for the city of Baltimore, Sheila Dixon appointed Demaune as Director of Government Relations, where he was the city's primary point of contact with federal, state, and local lawmakers. The former mayor eventually elevated him to Chief of Staff, expanding his responsibilities to manage the Mayor's Office, including government relations, communications, constituent services, and budget planning for improved municipal interagency coordination.
Today, Demaune leads Maryland's largest local management board, Family League of Baltimore. As an adaptable vision cultivator, he fosters stakeholder consensus and leverages team member skill and talent. He successfully shepherded the community-centric strategic plan Transformation 2024 during COVID-19 — attributes he credits to a mother's refrain of service and leadership.
Boards & Committees
- Member — Mayor's Cabinet, City of Baltimore
- Co-Chair — Baltimore City Community Schools Steering Committee
- Chair — Education and Workforce Committee, Greater Baltimore Committee
- Greater Baltimore Committee's Presidential Advisory Council
- Advisory Board — Johns Hopkins University Center on Adolescent Health Community