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Maryland nonprofit names Arti Santhanam as board chair
As board chair, Santhanam will guide IWEE's strategy to expand opportunities, resources, and support for women entrepreneurs across Maryland.
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Bhavana P - Tue, 21, Jul 2026
- 13:55 EDT
- 60
Arti Santhanam / TEDCO
The Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence (IWEE), a Maryland non-profit established in collaboration with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) has appointed Indian-origin entrepreneur Arti Santhanam as chair of the board of directors for the 2026-27 term.
Santhanam, founder of Applied Neurons, will lead the organization's nine-member board, succeeding in a role aimed at advancing IWEE's mission of removing barriers for women entrepreneurs and strengthening Maryland's innovation ecosystem.
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“I am honored to serve as board chair for the Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence. As IWEE continues to expand its reach and impact, I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen the organization's foundation, support its strategic priorities, and help ensure more entrepreneurs have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” Santhanam said.
Santhanam is a biotechnology and innovation leader with more than two decades of experience spanning venture development, technology commercialization, life sciences, and entrepreneurship.
Prior to her role at Applied Neurons, Santhanam served as executive director of emerging technology centers (ETC) in Baltimore. Previously, she spent over nine years at TEDCO where she held several leadership positions, including director, director of portfolio management, executive director of the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), and program manager of the Life Science Investment Fund.
Her career also includes roles as a life science analyst at the Maryland Venture Fund, program chair of the Women In Bio DC/Baltimore chapter, principal consultant at Scintegra Solutions amongst others.
Santhanam earned a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, a master's degree from the University of Madras and a bachelor of science degree from Bangalore University.
Teresa Payne-Nunn, interim executive director of IWEE, welcomed the new leadership, saying the board and executive officers would help advance the organization's mission of expanding opportunities for scalable business growth across Maryland.
“Together, this talented group brings the expertise and perspective needed to drive meaningful change and help more entrepreneurs succeed,” Payne-Nunn said.
Founded in 2022, IWEE is a Maryland non-profit dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs through cohort-based programs, workshops, access to capital, and ecosystem engagement. The organization was established in collaboration with four of Maryland's Historically Black Colleges and Universities to address challenges faced by women founders and promote sustainable business growth.
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