New board members bring expertise in finance, technology, real estate, education and business leadership to support the museum’s continued growth and impact
BALTIMORE, Md. [DATE] – Port Discovery Children’s Museum today announced the appointment of ten new members to its Board of Directors: Mansur Abdul-Malik, SVP, Development at The NHP Foundation; Arthur Affleck IV, colon & rectal surgeon at Sinai Hospital/LifeBridge Health; Nathan Blumberg, vice president of leadership excellence at Erickson Senior Living; Michael Brown, principal, Wilde Lake High School; Bryan Del Monte, general manager and principal at McEnroe Voice & Data; Anthony Egan, cfo at Canopy Team; Clara Fernandez Abella, vice president of finance, Americas, at McCormick & Company; Morgan C. Gilligan, vice president and Mid-Atlantic commercial division manager at Stewart Title Guaranty Company; Jennifer Nolley, founder and creator of Tiny Easel and Gina Zentz, chair of the Real Estate Finance Practice Group at Venable LLP.
The new members bring extensive experience across business, finance, education, technology and real estate, strengthening the board as Port Discovery continues to expand opportunities for children and families through hands-on learning, innovative exhibits and community partnerships.
Mansur Abdul-Malik is Senior Vice President of Development at NHP Foundation with a focus on the mid-Atlantic region where he has led more than $200 million in affordable housing development funding and acquisitions. Along with his deep expertise in financial structuring, stakeholder engagement, and redevelopment strategy, Mansur is also active in the broader community as a youth football coach for the Pikesville Wildcats 11U National Team and board chair for Hope Harbor Community Development Corporation whose focus is on community revitalization along the Route 40 West corridor.
Dr. Arthur Affleck, IV is a board-certified colorectal surgeon practicing at Sinai Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed his general surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University, and a colorectal fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Arthur grew up immersed in the children’s museum field as the son of a longtime leader of the Association of Children’s Museums, shaping his appreciation for the role of playful, hands-on learning in family life and community impact.
Nathan Blumberg is the Vice President of Leadership Excellence at Erickson Senior Living. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles spanning operations, health services, community leadership, and enterprise strategy, giving him a unique perspective on how strong leadership and thoughtful planning create lasting organizational impact. Nathan is passionate about developing leaders, building high-performing teams, and helping mission-driven organizations grow to serve others. He is honored to serve on the Port Discovery Board and contribute to an organization that inspires curiosity, learning, and imagination in children and families across the region.
Michael Brown serves as Principal of Wilde Lake High School in the Howard County Public School System, bringing more than 20 years of experience in public education and school leadership. Known for his student-centered, community-focused approach, Michael is the Past President of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals and currently serves as Chair of the Maryland Center for School Safety Subcabinet Advisory Board. He also serves on the President’s Advisory Council at Stevenson University and has been recognized nationally for his leadership, including features on the NBC Today Show and in Principal Leadership magazine.
Bryan Del Monte is general manager and principal at McEnroe Voice & Data, where he leads company strategy and operations, overseeing technology solutions across voice communications, network infrastructure, security and collaboration systems. A Baltimore native and Vanderbilt University graduate, Del Monte brings experience in business leadership, technology, and organizational development. He also serves in nonprofit leadership, including with Teens With Trauma.
Anthony Egan is Chief Financial Officer of Canopy Team, bringing nearly a decade of accounting and finance experience across industries including advertising technology, real estate, and fintech. A licensed CPA and proud Baltimorean, he combines technical financial expertise with entrepreneurial experience, including having launched and operated a small business in the city.
Clara Fernandez Abella serves as vice president of finance, Americas, at McCormick & Company, bringing extensive global financial leadership experience. Before joining McCormick, she spent 17 years at Nike in senior finance positions, including vice president of finance for the Jordan Brand. Originally from Argentina, Fernandez Abella earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires. She also serves on the board of the North Pole Studio Foundation, which supports artists with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Morgan C. Gilligan is vice president and division manager of the Mid-Atlantic Commercial division at Stewart Title Guaranty Company. With more than 25 years of experience in title insurance and commercial real estate, Gilligan oversees operations and sales teams serving the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., markets. His expertise includes commercial real estate transactions, business development, and regional market leadership.
Jennifer Nolley is the founder of Tiny Easel, a creative company focused on making high-quality art supplies and activities approachable and enjoyable for children and families. With a background in interior design and a passion for nurturing creativity at home, she brings both entrepreneurial perspective and a commitment to fostering joyful learning experiences for kids.
Gina Zentz chairs the Real Estate Finance Practice Group at Venable LLP, where she represents lenders, owners, developers, and investors in complex commercial real estate transactions. Her practice also includes affordable housing development and finance, working with nonprofit and for-profit developers, sponsors, investors and other partners on projects involving affordable housing investment, development and financing.
The appointments come as Port Discovery continues to advance its vision of becoming a next-generation learning hub for children, families and educators in Maryland. Through new exhibits, learning initiatives, and facility investments, the museum is building on its commitment to creating joyful, accessible experiences that support children’s learning and development.
About Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Port Discovery Children’s Museum is Maryland’s leading children’s Museum, creating joyful, hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, strengthen family connections, and help every child discover what is possible. Grounded in the belief that play is one of the most powerful ways children learn, Port Discovery combines immersive museum experiences, community partnerships and professional learning to support healthy childhoods, thriving families and stronger communities. Through its At Play Learning approach, the Museum creates opportunities for children to build problem-solving, communication, resilience, collaboration, and confidence through meaningful play.
Media Contact:
Deborah Greengold
dgreengold@portdiscovery.org
410-864-2684
