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. 

As in past years, going back to 2019, we built this list through your nominations, personal outreach and our reporting — and remember that you can keep submitting names year-round.

From researchers and startup founders to educators and cybersecurity pros, these are the builders making Maryland’s tech ecosystem stronger in 2025. 

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Shane Williams Chief of End User services and information Systems
Enoch Pratt
Baltimore MD
Alexander Miller Data Scientist
Maryland State Innovation Team, Office of Governor Wes Moore
Baltimore MD
Naja Mack Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Morgan State University
Baltimore MD
Khalif Cooper Founder and CEO
BLK Tech Connect
Baltimore MD
Brady Starr Head of Product & Cofounder
Brady UX
Cumberland Maryland
Ira Owens President
OweHen Technologies
Bowie MD
Tony Li Owner
Pixel Crushers
Silver Spring MD
Chloe Burton Manager, Detection Engineering
Deepwatch
Palo Alto CA
Bailey Surtees CEO and Cofounder
Kubanda Cryotherapy
Baltimore MD
LaTonya Hall President & CTO
Stondoh Secure Digital Solutions
Baltimore MD
Ramana Vinjamuri Associate Professor & Center Director
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore MD
Jane Nguyen Postdoctoral Scientist
Henry M. Jackson Foundation
Bethesda Maryland
Jeffrey Scruggs Consultant
LMI Solutions
Owings Mills Maryland
Blair Taylor Co-Executive Director and Cofounder
Secured Inc
Towson MD
Marcel de Pontbriand Lead Data Engineer
Ecomap Technologies
Baltimore MD

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.