(BALTIMORE, Md.) — The Daily Record has named Notre Dame of Maryland University President Marylou Yam one of Maryland’s 2021 Most Admired CEOs. 
 
As NDMU’s 14^th president since 2014, Dr. Yam is a visionary leader with a commitment to innovation and service. She has led the effort to develop two five-year strategic plans, including the current Going Beyond: Vision 2025 plan; raised historic fundraising dollars; strengthened fiscal resources; significantly expanded academic programs and launched NDMU online; expanded the campus land envelope; completed three capital facility projects; and attained NDMU’s United Nations Non-Government Organization status — a first for a Maryland university. She also established the Women’s Leadership Institute of Baltimore as a convener on issues of gender equity in the city, state, and beyond.

Under her leadership, NDMU launched the cutting-edge IMPRINT leadership development program for students, Maryland’s first bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in art therapy, and the state’s first doctorate in occupational therapy program at a private university. Recently, the state approved its first physician assistant program at a private university and a master's degree in family nurse practitioner program.

Her extensive service to the state and community is exemplary. Governor Hogan appointed Dr. Yam to the Maryland Commission on Women. While on the commission, she chaired the Health & Wellness Committee for three years and led the development of the Maryland Women: A Status Report, completed in 2021. She is the current chair of the Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association and serves on the Greater Baltimore President’s Advisory Committee. She has held several board positions, including past vice chair of the Keswick Multi-Care Center, chair of the Colonial State Athletic conference, and trustee on the board of Caroline Center. She has also mentored higher education executives through leadership development programs, including the Council of Independent Colleges.

The Daily Record created the Most Admired CEOs awards program to recognize talented business CEOs and nonprofit executive directors throughout Maryland whose leadership and vision are admired by those around them. The winners were selected by an outside panel of judges based on professional accomplishments, community service, and letters of reference submitted by co-workers, board members and community leaders showing the CEO’s leadership and vision. 

The winners will be honored Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. at an online celebration. Each of the honorees will be celebrated for their achievements through video storytelling. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations and cheers using social media platforms from their homes or offices.  

Winners will be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the Nov. 3 issue of The Daily Record and will be available online.

Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.