Jeanette Ortiz

Jeanette Ortiz is the Director of Government Affairs at University of Maryland, Baltimore. For nearly 20 years, her legal career has centered on legislative and policy work as well as regulatory, budgetary and procurement matters. Her professional experience includes leadership positions in both the executive and legislative branches of Maryland State government. Ms. Ortiz has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, drafted legislation and regulations, provided legal advice on complex matters, staffed legislative committees and developed statewide policy in numerous areas of law, including K-12 public education, higher education, and economic development. Jeanette previously worked as Legislative Counsel to the Maryland General Assembly, Policy Director for then Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, and Legislative and Policy Counsel for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

In her role as Deputy Director for Maryland Government Affairs, Jeanette advocates on behalf of Johns Hopkins University & Medicine before the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Governor, Executive Branch agencies, and statewide policy makers on all legislative, regulatory and policy issues which impact the enterprise. Her portfolio includes higher education, pre-k-12 education, labor and employment, and legal matters.

In addition to being a respected public policy and government affairs expert, Ms. Ortiz serves on several boards and is a member of several associations.

Jeanette received her juris doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and a bachelor of arts from The George Washington University.