Sandy Hillman

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KO Public Affairs LLC

Sandy Hillman, partner at KO Public Affairs, moved to Baltimore from Washington, D.C. in 1968 because her husband loved the city as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University. This decision launched a career that would establish her as one of Maryland’s most recognized business and civic leaders.

Hillman worked for Mayor William Donald Schaefer from 1970 to 1984, a position she described as the “best job in America.” During her tenure with the mayor’s administration, she founded what is now the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. Her initiatives revived the Mechanic Theatre, built Pier 6, started the Farmers Market on Market Place and produced hundreds of events designed to bring people downtown, which resulted in developer interest in the city led by Rouse Company that built Harborplace, heralding the nationally recognized Baltimore renaissance.

In 1984, Hillman transitioned to the private sector by joining a local advertising agency. In 2007, she started PR boutique Sandy Hillman Communications, which represented blue ribbon brands including Caesars Entertainment, Gaylord Hotels, Bonefish Grill, Singapore and several dozen other domestic and international destinations.

Hillman’s commitment to civic engagement spans 26 board positions past and present. She serves as President of the Baltimore Center for the Performing Arts and has been on the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2000. Her board memberships include cultural institutions such as The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and The National Aquarium in Baltimore, educational organizations including Harvard’s Women’s Leadership Board and Stevenson University Board of Advisors and civic groups such as the Baltimore Urban League and Governor’s Tourism Task Force.

Reflecting on her career, Hillman said, “I think some of my proudest career moments included representing iconic American institutions and sharing their history and message with the public: The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the National WWI Museum in Kansas City, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Mt. Vernon.”

When asked about leadership lessons, Hillman emphasized authentic engagement. “Be present. Listen. Learn from others,” she said. Regarding challenges faced as a Maryland-based leader, she noted that early in her career, “not being located in New York presented a challenge. Clients thought they needed an agency based in New York in order to get media attention and national recognition. Our work proved that not to be the case.”

Hillman believes in using influence responsibly to create positive change. “I think it’s important to be involved in issues, causes and institutions that align with your personal values and interests,” she explained. “Both my husband and I have served on numerous boards whose missions are important to us.”

A resident of Baltimore, Hillman brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her work in Maryland’s business and nonprofit communities. As a fun fact, she shares that “Yaniger did a cartoon of me.”

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by information provided by the honorees and other resources. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.