Between top-flight universities, rising startups, public agencies and all matter of meetups, these STEM professionals make an impact well beyond the tech they build.
Throughout Maryland, people developing tech behind the screens are also the ones powering innovation and giving back to their communities.
They’re the technologists creating the systems that keep businesses running, experimenting with new tools and leading cutting-edge projects.
But their impact doesn’t stop at the office. Many of them are mentoring the next generation and working to build community in the tech scene.
This year’s list comes with two big changes. First, we broadened this series’ title from RealLIST Engineers to RealLIST Innovators, recognizing the wide range of technologists and researchers driving progress. Second, we expanded the scope beyond Baltimore to include the entire state of Maryland, reflecting our growing coverage across the region.
Shane WilliamsChief of End User services and information Systems
Enoch Pratt
BaltimoreMD
Alexander MillerData Scientist
Maryland State Innovation Team, Office of Governor Wes Moore
BaltimoreMD
Naja MackAssistant Professor of Computer Science
Morgan State University
BaltimoreMD
Khalif CooperFounder and CEO
BLK Tech Connect
BaltimoreMD
Brady StarrHead of Product & Cofounder
Brady UX
CumberlandMaryland
Ira OwensPresident
OweHen Technologies
BowieMD
Tony LiOwner
Pixel Crushers
Silver SpringMD
Chloe BurtonManager, Detection Engineering
Deepwatch
Palo AltoCA
Bailey SurteesCEO and Cofounder
Kubanda Cryotherapy
BaltimoreMD
LaTonya HallPresident & CTO
Stondoh Secure Digital Solutions
BaltimoreMD
Ramana VinjamuriAssociate Professor & Center Director
University of Maryland Baltimore County
BaltimoreMD
Jane NguyenPostdoctoral Scientist
Henry M. Jackson Foundation
BethesdaMaryland
Jeffrey ScruggsConsultant
LMI Solutions
Owings MillsMaryland
Blair TaylorCo-Executive Director and Cofounder
Secured Inc
TowsonMD
Marcel de PontbriandLead Data Engineer
Ecomap Technologies
BaltimoreMD
This article mentions EcoMap Technologies, a Technical.ly client. That relationship has no impact on this report.
Maria Eberhart is a 2025-2026 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs emerging journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported in part by the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation and the Abell Foundation. Learn more about supporting our free and independent journalism.