Meet Our Team

Alice Wilkerson serves as Executive Director of Advance Maryland, where they lead efforts to strengthen democracy and advance equity across the state. With over 15 years of experience in Maryland policy and advocacy, they bring deep expertise in public policy, legislative strategy, and communications.

Prior to launching Advance Maryland, they worked as a lobbyist representing nonprofit and local government clients, served as Chief of Staff to former State Senator, now Congressman, Jamie Raskin, and contributed to several campaigns for state level offices. Their work centers on building a fairer and more sustainable future— strengthening communities, expanding economic opportunity, protecting the environment, and defending reproductive freedom.

Alice grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, earned their Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Salisbury University and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and Social Policy from The George Washington University, with a focus on environmental ethics.

Rianna joined the Advance Maryland team in January, 2023 as a Program & Media Associate and now serves as the Creative Director. Rianna works with our partners to shape strategy and develop compelling visuals for print and social media to bolster visibility and engagement to win on important progressive legislation. 

In 2021, Rianna completed the Graphic Design for Organizing Apprenticeship Program with Social Movement Technologies. In 2024 she earned her M.A. in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

She is passionate about bringing together her commitment to justice, love of art, and skills as an organizer to create powerful design for lasting change. She prioritizes ethical storytelling, action-driven messaging, and accessible, impactful design. 

Before becoming a movement graphic designer, Rianna was an organizer on water affordability and environmental legislation at the state level in Annapolis, and in Baltimore City. 

Rianna loves making art especially mosaics, ceramics, and linocut printing, exploring Baltimore with her dog, Beluga, and organizing for racial justice with Showing Up for Racial Justice Baltimore.

Abigail “Gail” Planta is the Associate Graphic Designer with Advance Maryland. Since joining the team in December 2023, she has supported numerous statewide coalitions through strategic design and media outreach.

Gail earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, with a double minor in Art History and Film & Media Studies. Her skills in graphic design, visual storytelling, and content creation are central to developing compelling materials that resonate with diverse audiences both online and offline.

Originally from Prince George’s County and having spent some time in the Baltimore area, Gail now resides in Southern Maryland. Their deep connection to the state grounds her work in the lived experiences of Maryland communities.

Outside of their professional work, Gail enjoys making art in her free time through crocheting, painting, sketching, and crafting. They also love thrifting and exploring the DMV area, always on the lookout for local gems, creative inspiration, and new community spaces to engage with.

Sergio España serves as our Deputy Director and brings over 20 years of community organizing knowledge along with both philanthropic and small business experience. Born in Los Angeles, growing up in Guatemala, and having spent most of his life in Baltimore, Sergio approaches the work knowing how varied perspectives shape our communities. Previously he served as the first Organizing Director for the ACLU of Maryland for seven years. Before that he worked at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, supporting their place-based efforts on economic and social justice. He has also helped support statewide efforts to protect access to healthcare and protecting and expanding rights for immigrants and daily workers.

Sergio is a proud Retriever, receiving his Bachelors’ in both Philosophy and Sociology at UMBC, along with studying philosophy at Rhodes University in South Africa. His hobbies include playing the occasional annual show with his punk band, and trying to finish at least one decent single-player video game a year. But his main priority is raising his kids with his incredible spouse.

Larry Ottinger (he/him) is a long-time civil rights and social change lawyer, advocate, and funder. Currently, he is a philanthropy adviser on democracy and economic justice issues. In addition, he founded and chaired Our Maryland, the state’s largest online platform and partner for a just and sustainable future for all Marylanders the past five years. Previously, he served as President of the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest and in senior roles at the Fannie Mae Foundation, Advancement Project, People For the American Way and the civil rights law firm of Bernabei & Katz. He was a member of the 2007 class of Leadership Maryland and has served on the national NARAL and other nonprofit boards. After graduating from Stanford Law School, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Walter E. Black, Jr. in Baltimore.

Sheila F. Maith (she/her) is an executive coach and consultant to national and local leaders in not-for-profit and mission driven organizations.. Prior to becoming a consultant, she spent twenty years in the non-profit, government and quasi-government sectors. She served in a variety of roles including as Senior Advisor and Community Affairs Officer for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors; as Managing Director for Leadership and Policy Development at the Fannie Mae Foundation; and as senior Labor Committee counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy. She received a J.D. degree cum laude from Harvard Law School and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government. She also received an A.B. degree in public policy magna cum laude from Duke University.

Molly Amster (she/her) is founding director of Jews United for Justice and The JUFJ Campaign Fund’s Baltimore branches which advance racial and economic justice at the state and local level. She serves in leadership roles in the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability and Renters United Maryland. Molly is a facilitator for Baltimore Racial Justice Action and a member of Our Maryland’s Board of Directors. Molly’s earlier work at CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Incorporated, in Northwest Baltimore focused on older adult services, public schools, and community race relations. She moved to Baltimore in 2007 to help establish the environmental education program and farm at The Pearlstone Center. Molly fosters dogs for BARCS and lives in Northeast Baltimore City.