The Central Baltimore Partnership (CBP) announced on Wednesday that Executive Director Ellen Janes will retire on Dec. 23 and will be succeeded by the organization’s acting Deputy Director, Ashley Wallace.
Janes joined CBP in 2015 and has been planning to step down as head of the organization, which was founded in 2006 and works with more than 150 partners to revitalize 11 Central Baltimore neighborhoods. Its partners range from neighborhood improvement groups and small businesses to educational and health institutions.
“Of all of the things I’ve done during my 10 years at CBP, I am most proud of the incredible team and board, as well as the strong partnerships…we have built into a highly productive, diverse, public/private/grassroots collaborative working together toward shared community goals. I am very optimistic about CBP and Central Baltimore’s future,” Janes said in a statement.
“Well beyond her work at CBP, Ellen has left an indelible mark on Baltimore through her visionary leadership, positive outlook and dedication to community development throughout her career,” said CBP Board President Lauren Kelly-Washington, in a statement. “At CBP, she spearheaded numerous initiatives that have transformed neighborhoods and strengthened community ties, and we are grateful and better for it.”
During her tenure, Janes created and contributed to a wide range of CBP initiatives, including the launch and oversight of the Central Baltimore Future Fund (CBFF), which acquired 12 key properties, including Town Hall and North Avenue Market, with a $10 million fund to activate them with tenants.
This effort expanded the organization’s work to include one of the state’s most comprehensive commercial corridor revitalization initiatives, called the Neil Muldrow Small Business Fund. The Fund has deployed more than $5 million in small business support since it was started in 2018.
Janes played a crucial role in preserving the AREA 405 arts hub and merging CBP with the Station North Arts District, which launched community events such as the yearly Asia North Festival and the current $1 million Inviting Light initiative.
In addition, Janes initiated Baltimore’s first grassroots Equity Plan, engaging more than 200 community members to promote investment in affordable housing and public health. Her dedication to parks resulted in over 100 supported projects, including the $3.4 million Cecil Community Park in partnership with the Parks and People Foundation and Cecil Elementary School. During the pandemic, CBP provided essential resources to students, including mobilizing hundreds of laptops and desks, distributed food and essential supplies to households, and helped more than 50 small businesses to survive.
“Well beyond her work at CBP, Ellen has left an indelible mark on Baltimore through her visionary leadership, positive outlook and dedication to community development throughout her career,” said CBP Board President Lauren Kelly-Washington. “At CBP, she spearheaded numerous initiatives that have transformed neighborhoods and strengthened community ties, and we are grateful and better for it.”
Wallace joined CBP in 2009 as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer from Wisconsin after earning her master’s degree in urban and regional planning.
As acting Deputy Director, she has been responsible for overseeing major revitalization efforts, including deploying $15 million in state capital investments, organizational development, financial administration, strategic planning, human resources, and major funder relationships.
Since 2022, Wallace has also served as Executive Director of the Central Baltimore Future Fund (CBFF), CBP’s real estate subsidiary. In this role, she manages an expanding portfolio of commercial and mixed-use properties and leads real estate strategies that reduce vacancy, support minority and emerging developers, and catalyze economic development in Central Baltimore.
Wallace has overseen several major acquisitions and redevelopment efforts and the restructuring of CBFF’s governance, financial, and administrative systems. Under her leadership, CBFF secured more than $2 million in new capital grants and launched an innovative joint venture model to reactivate the historic North Avenue Market.
“We couldn’t think of a better person to fill the role at this time than Ashley, who has been instrumental in CBP’s revitalization efforts, organizational growth, and key initiatives,” said Kelly-Washington. “With a strong foundation in community engagement and development, Ashley is well-prepared to lead CBP into its next chapter and continue its mission of enhancing the quality of life for residents, fostering sustainable development, and strengthening community partnerships across Baltimore.”
