Have you ever thrown a stone into the calm surface of a pond and watched the ripples unfold? Even the smallest stone sends waves across the water, quietly extending outward to touch distant edges, never feeling the stone’s impact, yet undeniably shaped by its effect. Reflecting on TEDCO’s core value of Stewardship, I’m most reminded of this powerful image – how even the smallest actions can create far-reaching impacts well beyond our immediate surroundings.
As Maryland’s economic empowerment engine for life sciences and technology-based companies, TEDCO not only serves as a steward of State, Federal, and private resources, but, in a larger context, has been entrusted with guiding, cultivating, and facilitating the growth of Maryland’s technology-based ecosystem. This is a significant and far-reaching responsibility – a responsibility that TEDCO approaches with intentionality and care. We understand that this requires more than simply managing resources; it calls for developing, facilitating, and nurturing a shared vision for the ecosystem and a deep-seeded commitment to creating opportunities that extend beyond today’s challenges and into tomorrow’s possibilities, guided by TEDCO’s core values of accountability, collaboration, integrity, respect, and stewardship. Whether investing in early-stage entrepreneurs, supporting groundbreaking research, speaking with elected officials, or fostering connections across the ecosystem, TEDCO embraces this role with the understanding that every individual’s actions reach well beyond specific companies—they shape Maryland’s economic future.
In the Bible, there is a parable that beautifully illustrates the great responsibility of stewardship, the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, three servants are given portions of their master’s wealth – two servants go and trade with the wealth they have been entrusted to steward, doubling the amount. However, the third, afraid of losing what he had been given, buries it to later return the exact amount he was given. The ones who invest are commended; the one who buries his portion out of fear is rebuked.
In much the same way, TEDCO understands that stewardship is not passive, it is an active, forward-looking charge. We are not here merely to preserve what we’ve been given, but to multiply it thoughtfully for the benefit of others. Like the faithful servants in the parable, TEDCO embraces the call to invest wisely—supporting innovation, nurturing talent, and helping bold ideas take root—knowing that the impact of our actions must extend beyond today and serve the broader future of Maryland’s economy. We recognize what has been entrusted to us—whether financial resources, strategic partnerships, or institutional knowledge—is not meant to be held in stasis. Rather, it’s to be cultivated, leveraged, and multiplied for the good of the broader ecosystem.
Stewardship, at its core, is about care, accountability, and vision. It’s the recognition that the resources we manage are not ours to keep, but ours to nurture for the benefit of others. It’s about making decisions today that ensure future generations inherit something stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive than what we started with. It’s about returning what we’ve been entrusted to hold in a better position than we received it.
Stewardship is a vital pillar of public policy development, arguably one of the most important factors to keep in mind. It is a foundational consideration that has both short-term and long-term impacts, and understanding that every law, regulation and/or budget decision, no matter how large or small, can have monumental impacts on an individual, stakeholder, and ecosystem, is critical to the development of good public policy. Often, this means forgoing the easy route for one less traveled, exploring innovative solutions, and prioritizing long-term value, equitable access, and sustainable growth over short-term gains. It requires ecosystem partner engagement and collaboration, and a holistic view when acting. Like the servants in the parable of Talents it requires that we invest wisely to return it in a better position than we received it.
Throughout my professional journey working in and around Federal, State, and Local Governments, I’ve had the great fortune of receiving mentorship and advice from some incredible individuals whose passion, leadership, and generosity shaped the way I approach my work. When considering the concept of stewardship, I am reminded of two enduring pieces of advice that serve as guiding principles for me:
- Identify where you can add value and take action to deliver it.
- Our time in any role is temporary, but the impact of what we do in the role can last far into the future, so approach each opportunity with purpose.
Stewardship is not a passive responsibility; it demands that we actively seek out where we can add value and commit fully to delivering it. It requires more than simply maintenance; it requires that we build upon those who held the responsibility before us. It also requires us to recognize that our time as stewards is temporary, not permanent. Each opportunity should be approached with urgency and purpose, as if it were our last. Just as importantly, stewardship means understanding when the time has come to pass the responsibility to others who are better positioned to provide value and lead the next phase of growth.
Over the past two years, TEDCO has been entrusted to serve as the steward of the Cyber Maryland Program. Established by statute during the 2023 legislative session, the program is tasked with convening and coordinating Maryland’s cybersecurity workforce ecosystem, aiming to strengthen and accelerate a talent pipeline capable of addressing the state’s cybersecurity workforce gaps. In collaboration with the Cyber Maryland Board, the Cyber Maryland Advisory Workgroup, and key ecosystem stakeholders, TEDCO led the development and release of the Cybersecurity Workforce Analysis & Strategy, which assessed the state’s robust yet fragmented ecosystem. This effort culminated in the release of Maryland’s Cybersecurity Talent Strategy Report, a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide efforts in closing the workforce gap and advancing Maryland’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Understanding that stewardship also means recognizing when it’s time to pass the responsibility to others better positioned to lead the next phase, TEDCO supported the transition of the Cyber Maryland Program to the Maryland Department of Labor in 2025. This move reflects a strategic shift to align the program more directly with statewide workforce development infrastructure, ensuring continued momentum and long-term impact.
While TEDCO’s formal role as steward of the Cyber Maryland Program has concluded, our commitment to advancing Maryland’s cybersecurity workforce remains strong. TEDCO continues to serve as a partner and collaborator, supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development across the state. We are proud of the foundation laid during our tenure and look forward to the continued growth and success of the Cyber Maryland Program under the leadership of the Maryland Department of Labor.
This transition reflects a broader truth: stewardship is at the heart of everything we do. TEDCO remains deeply committed to being a responsible steward ensuring that Maryland’s innovation economy continues to grow, thrive, and create lasting value for generations to come.
Ultimately, stewardship, like all TEDCO’s core values, is not just a principle we uphold; it is a mindset that shapes how we approach our mission of enhancing economic empowerment by fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Stewardship is ingrained in all we do, because we understand that when we act with care, intention, and a willingness to invest in others, the ripples we create today can shape a stronger, more inclusive economy for our communities, our state, and future generations.