Patricia Granata-Eisner, Executive Director

Patricia Granata-Eisner has been the Executive Director of NFTE Baltimore for four years. She came to NFTE after eight years as the Program Director for the Erickson Family Foundation, a non-profit foundation whose focus is education and the care of senior citizens. Tricia was a first grade teacher for four years in Baltimore City and graduated from Loyola College with a degree in English and Writing. She has a Master's in Education from Loyola College, in Curriculum and Instruction, and completed a second Masters at the University of Baltimore in Publications and Design, with a concentration in Creative Writing. In addition to her work at NFTE, Tricia is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared locally and nationally. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband Ken.

Darlene Ajayi, Program Director

As Program Director of NFTE Baltimore, Darlene Ajayi oversees the successful implementation of the NFTE program in Baltimore. Prior to joining the NFTE Baltimore staff in August of 2005, Darlenei was a business education teacher for five years with the Baltimore Public School System. She became a NFTE Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher in 2003 and was recognized in 2004 as the Rookie Entrepreneurship Teacher of the year by NFTE. During her tenure within the Baltimore Public School System, Darlene taught entrepreneurship, business principles & management, computer application, accounting, advanced business procedures and office technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Baltimore, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Instructional Technology from John Hopkins University.

Katie Schroeder, Business Development Associate & Programming Assistant

Katie Schroeder has been with NFTE Baltimore on a full time basis for two years. Before becoming Baltimore’s Business Development Associate & Programming Assistant, she was a part-time intern for NFTE. While in high school and college, Katie ran a cleaning business with two partners, in Baltimore. She majored in English and Literature with a writing focus at Villa Julie College in Maryland and graduated in May 2007. As a Baltimore City native, Katie enjoys helping her city’s youth by teaching them the business and life skills she received as a teenager.