Industry Social Club | Finance

Industry Social Club returns for a second season! Join us on Wednesday, October 22 for a discussion on, Finance.

October’s program spotlights the role of finance in shaping Baltimore’s neighborhoods and economy.  How does investing in Baltimore create a better Baltimore? Who is investing in Baltimore, and how are those investments creating opportunity? From banks and credit unions to philanthropic leaders and neighborhood-based initiatives, financial leadership plays a key role in driving growth and addressing historic inequities. This program brings together Baltimore changemakers who are proving that smart, inclusive finance can spark opportunity, energize neighborhoods, and fuel lasting growth. Come ready to connect, share ideas, and be part of the conversation about the power of money to transform our city.

Industry Social Club is a free, monthly, after-hours program for local professionals, creatives, and influencers in various industries to cultivate connections that drive success. Topics examine contemporary trends in industry, both locally and nationally. The series explores industries as diverse as fashion and textiles, hospitality, healthcare, and LGBTQIA+ in the workforce, embracing a diverse spectrum of talents and backgrounds. Learn more about Industry Social Club here.

Jamye Wooten is a strategist and design leader working at the intersection of philanthropy, movement building, and digital strategy, where he leverages technology and innovation to design ecosystems for impact. He is the founder of CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-based platform mobilizing resources, amplifying Black-led social change, and building sustainable models for collective liberation. Wooten has advised globally, documented movements across the U.S., U.K., and Africa, and continues to envision a liberated Black future rooted in joy, abundance, and self-determination. 

From a young age growing up in Baltimore, Thibault Manekin was driven by one question: why are we so divided, and how can we bridge those divides? In 2002, he co-founded PeacePlayers, a nonprofit that uses basketball and dialogue to unite children in conflict zones. Since then, PeacePlayers has reached over 100,000 youth across 22 countries and trained more than 2,000 coaches and change agents. In 2007, Thibault returned to Baltimore and co-founded Seawall, an impact-driven real estate company reimagining the built environment as a tool to empower communities, unite cities, and launch powerful ideas. Seawall has become a model for values-based development in Baltimore and beyond.

Chrissy Thornton serves as the dynamic President and CEO of Associated Black Charities. With a career built on the pillars of community empowerment, coalition-building, and economic justice, Chrissy brings not just leadership but a movement-driven approach to everything she touches. With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, digital engagement, grant writing, and program execution, Chrissy has a track record of elevating organizations. Her leadership extends to designing and facilitating staff development activities, large-scale events, and board initiatives, while also executing exceptional fundraisers, training seminars and conferences, and peer-to-peer engagement efforts.

Chris Hovell is a trust and estate attorney who began his legal career in private practice at the Baltimore firm of Clark & Hough. He currently serves as a Wealth Strategist at PNC Private Bank, where he provides clients with personalized financial, tax, and estate planning guidance. Chris is passionate about helping individuals and families uncover their deeper purpose—whether through legacy planning, philanthropy, or multigenerational wealth strategies.

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