BRANDI STOCKSDALE

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Baltimore City Department of Social Services

Brandi Stocksdale, director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, leads with a clear philosophy: centering her work on the well-being, growth and success of the people she serves. As a licensed clinical social worker in her hometown, Stocksdale oversees an agency that reaches approximately one in three city residents each year through essential food, cash assistance, health care benefits, child welfare and adult services programs.

Stocksdale enhances employee well-being and productivity through active listening and engagement. She regularly holds brown-bag lunches with an open floor and no agenda, where staff members can ask questions without fear of repercussions. She also maintains an anonymous online suggestion box and uses employee engagement surveys to track progress toward achieving organizational goals and living the agency’s WE CARE core values. “My greatest measure of success is knowing our staff feel valued and empowered to thrive so they can deliver their best work in service to Baltimore City residents,” Stocksdale said.

During challenging budget cycles at the state-administered, locally operated agency, Stocksdale advocates strongly for her staff and works to safeguard essential programs. She never forgets that behind every program, policy and budget line are real people with real needs, ensuring staff and families feel seen, supported and cared for even in difficult times.

Early in her career, Stocksdale witnessed firsthand how poverty limits choices, diminishes hope and places enormous stress on families. This experience fostered her lifelong commitment to promoting child safety and family well-being in Baltimore. Through the Safer, Stronger, Together initiative, she works with community and agency partners to enhance public safety and community well-being by investing in young people, strengthening families and empowering communities.

Stocksdale lives by a quote from Apple CEO Tim Cook: “You have to find the intersection of doing something you’re passionate about and that, at the same time, is in the service of other people.

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