Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has embodied the Kennedy family's commitment to public service, inspired by the ethos her father, Robert Kennedy, instilled in her. As the first female Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, she championed critical issues focusing on community engagement and social responsibility. Her leadership led Maryland to become the inaugural state requiring high school students to complete community service as a graduation requirement.

Throughout her career, Townsend has been an advocate for children and educational initiatives, combining her roles in public service with her work in the private sector as a Managing Director at the Rock Creek Group. She is also a recognized leader in retirement security, founding the Center for Retirement Initiatives at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, where she contributes as a Research Professor. Townsend’s expertise extends to her role as chair of the Governor’s Retirement Security Task Force for the State of Maryland.

Townsend's dedication to social issues and community service is reflected in her continued work and involvement in various capacities. She continues to serve on the boards of influential organizations such as the Center for American Progress and the Institute for Contemplative Practice. Additionally, she has chaired the Institute of Human Virology and the Robert Kennedy Memorial, and served on the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Her book, "Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches Mixed God with Politics and Lost Their Way," published in March 2007, underscores her ongoing commitment to addressing complex social issues through a combination of faith, public policy, and community activism.

Through these roles, Townsend's leadership continues to foster economic development and advocate for comprehensive approaches to crime prevention, healthcare, and education. As she shares her experiences and insights, she remains a formidable voice for women's empowerment and social justice, consistently emphasizing the vital role of active civic engagement in realizing societal change.