Towson: TU Announces Erin Moran As Inaugural Executive Director Of Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute

Press release from Towson University:

Moran will guide the launch of key programming and offerings for TU's new leadership
institute

Towson University on Monday announced Erin Moran has been appointed as the inaugural
executive director of the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute after an extensive
national search. Moran will start in the role September 8.

Towson University’s Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute is an interdisciplinary
research and action-based institute launching this September. The externally facing
institute is forging a new standard for leadership development for the state, region
and nation that will elevate leaders across all levels. Reporting to Daraius Irani,
vice president of Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, Moran will
lead the overall operations and fiscal management of the Institute, including the
launching of key programming initiatives, as well as represent the Institute with
key stakeholders such as corporations, non-profits and government agencies.

“Towson University is an anchor institution providing nationally recognized leadership
for the public good,” TU President Kim Schatzel said. “The Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership
Institute is key to TU’s public engagement and its commitment to fulfill this role
for the Greater Baltimore region and beyond. As the institute’s inaugural executive
director, Erin will have a major role in the Institute’s launch as well as achievement
of its mission. She is a tremendous leader herself and I very much look forward to
supporting her efforts to advance the Institute’s success and its influence.”

Moran has spent most of her 24-year career dedicated to developing leaders who create
inspiring work environments that enable people to be fulfilled while also achieving
extraordinary business results. Moran believes we create a better society when people
work in healthy environments.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute,”
Moran said. “Our world needs capable and ethical leadership more than ever before
and this Institute will undoubtedly positively transform and impact so many people. And as
a proud Baltimore native, I am beyond thrilled to join a pre-eminent national university
such as Towson University."

The Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute features a comprehensive portfolio of
programs and solutions for individuals and organizations that focuses on transformational
outcomes, improving workplace culture and engagement, attracting the best talent,
and addressing the most challenging leadership and organizational issues of the day.

Moran spent nearly a decade with Great Place to Work where she studied leading workplace
cultures, helped produce the “Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For” list and advised
clients on how to improve workplace culture. Moran was chief culture officer for New
York City-based Union Square Hospitality Group for seven years, where she was responsible
for overseeing and enhancing all aspects of employee experience for the company that
created Shake Shack and is known globally for its culture.

Moran has a series of awards to her credit, including being named one of the Top 50
Women Innovators in the Restaurant Industry (2019), a two-time honoree through the
National Restaurant Association Power List of Culture Champions (2017 and 2019) and
Women’s Foodservice Forum Top Women in Metro New York Foodservice & Hospitality (2018).

Moran is a Baltimore native and holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph’s University
and an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of International Management.

The Institute is named for Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Towson University alumna, presidential
scholar and a visionary leader as state superintendent of the Maryland State Department
of Education from 1991–2011. Grasmick’s vision and philanthropic support, as well
as her passion for developing and mentoring leaders, were instrumental in the creation
of the Institute and its focus.

“It was important to me that this person had the experience and values that I wanted
to see involved in this institute,” Grasmick said. “I’m so impressed with Erin, and
she certainly represents ethics, accountability, business experience —internationally,
and working with large groups and small groups in terms of implementation. She’s the
ideal candidate to be the inaugural executive director of this institute, which means
she will hit the ground running on Day 1.”

The search committee was chaired by Vernon Hurte, vice president for student affair,
and included key members of campus leadership:

The Institute launches this fall. For more, visit Towson.edu/GrasmickLeadership

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.