Pikesville resident Janet S. Kaplan was recently hired to serve on the business development team of the Maryland/Israel Development Center.
Founded in 1992, the MIDC is a nonprofit public-private partnership of the Maryland Department of Commerce, Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Trade, and The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
The MIDC promotes trade, investments and joint ventures among businesses and research institutions in Maryland and Israel.
In her role, Kaplan, a Gaithersburg native, will help create and foster development and strategic partnerships in Maryland, as well as support the growth of Israeli companies looking to expand into the U.S. market (and vice versa).
A 1989 graduate of the University of Delaware, Kaplan – who earned a certificate of leadership from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business — has an extensive background in business consulting and market expansion. Among the industries she has worked in are wellness and mental health, medical devices, retail, banking, special education, security and nonprofits.
In addition, she has worked closely with startups and established businesses, guiding them through the complexities of go-to market strategies and providing insights into market trends and opportunities. Throughout her career, she has helped expand businesses in Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery, Washington, Carroll and Cecil counties.
Kaplan also had her own consulting and stress management companies.
“We are thrilled to welcome Janet to the MIDC team,” said MIDC Executive Director David Speer. “Her distinguished career in the private sector, abilities to make connections across the state and her strong ties to Israel make her the ideal candidate. We are looking forward to expanding our footprint in Maryland and Israel through her work.”
A lifelong member of Hadassah, Kaplan is the mother of two adult children who live in Israel. She has helped raise funds for the Hadassah Medical Organization and marketed medical devices to Israeli hospitals.
“She knows the market here and there, which makes her the perfect fit for the position,” said David Kuntz, president of the MIDC board of directors.
For information, visit marylandisrael.org or email jkaplan@marylandisrael.org.
