Governor Wes Moore has appointed Jonny Dorsey as the acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI) and senior advisor to the governor, effective November 12.As deputy chief of staff since the start of the administration, Dorsey has overseen initiatives spanning eleven state agencies, representing nearly two-thirds of Maryland’s budget, while also focusing his efforts on education, workforce, and community development efforts. “Jonny has been the driving force behind many of my most important initiatives,” said Governor Moore. “He helped design and launch four new executive offices and departments, including the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, which he will now lead… Jonny’s leadership, creativity, and commitment have been central to our progress, and I am confident he will advance this department’s mission.”
In his new dual role, Dorsey will continue his cross-agency work as senior advisor to the governor, focusing on partnerships and strategic initiatives that strengthen Maryland’s civic infrastructure. Reflecting on the appointment, he shared, “I believe deeply that, as the governor says, service will save us. Together with colleagues at DSCI, the governor’s office and administration, partners across all sectors of society and, above all, with dedicated Marylanders raising their hand to help their communities, we are all going to deliver on that promise.
Governor Moore also extended his gratitude to outgoing Secretary Paul Monteiro, commending his leadership as the department’s founding secretary and for turning “an idea into a statewide movement.” According to Governor Moore, Monteiro’s tenure laid the groundwork for a new era of civic engagement and public service in Maryland.
Dorsey’s background includes leadership roles at the Emerson Collective, the Obama Administration, and as co-founder of Global Health Corps and FACE AIDS. He holds degrees from Stanford University and Harvard Kennedy School, bringing a strong foundation of policy and innovation to his new position.
