Career Afternoon
The Patricia J. Mitchell '65 Leadership Institute is proud to present our annual Career Afternoon!
Career Afternoon is an annual event sponsored by the Mitchell Leadership Institute; it alternates each year between the Upper School and Middle School. This in-person event invites alumnae, parents, and friends of the community to serve on a panel as speakers. Panelists discuss their current job, career path, educational background, and advice for students.
Featured from left to right: Sheela Murthy, Maryvale's President Malika DeLancey, Patrice Sanders, Tamia Morris' 16, Irene Knott, and Emily Noto Cahn '08.
These accomplished women leaders generously shared their advice, career paths, and genuine care for the Maryvale students' futures.
2025 Keynote Speaker: Sheela Murthy
Sheela Murthy
President, Murthy Law Firm
Sheela Murthy is a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and speaker, perhaps best known as founder and president of the Murthy Law Firm, based in Owings Mills which has been ranked as one of the world’s leading U.S. immigration law firms.
Ms. Murthy completed her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Harvard Law School and has been admitted to practice as an attorney in New York, Maryland, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Located in Baltimore County, Maryland, her firm of approximately 100 professionals concentrates in U.S. immigration law. Murthy practiced with major law firms in New York and Baltimore before launching the Murthy Law Firm in 1994. Throughout her career, Murthy has received numerous accolades, including being recognized as a top international corporate immigration lawyer and receiving the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is also a sought-after speaker on immigration law, entrepreneurship, and women's issues.
A native of India, Murthy and her husband, Vasant Nayak, established the MurthyNAYAK Foundation to channel their philanthropic contributions to nonprofits that serve the needs of women, children, and immigrants, particularly in education and health care.
2025 Alumnae Panelists
Emily Noto Cahn '08
Director of Public Relations, Stanley Black & Decker
Emily Cahn is the Director of Public Relations with Stanley Black & Decker, the world’s largest manufacturer of tools and outdoor equipment, which houses brands including DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, BLACK+DECKER and STANLEY. In her 6th year with the company, Mrs. Cahn leads media relations and works alongside the leadership team to deliver the company’s key messages of innovation, safety and productivity.
Prior to joining Stanley Black & Decker, Mrs. Cahn gained experience in the Public Relations world servicing clients including Amazon, Verizon, Bloomberg, Natty Boh and Old Bay. She lives in Lutherville with her husband Matt, their black lab Rosie, and is a new mom as her family welcomed their daughter Charley in November.
Tamia J. Morris '16
Associate - Gordon, Feinblatt LLC Attorneys at Law
Tamia Morris is an Associate in the Real Estate, Financial Services, and Energy & Environmental practice groups of Gordon, Feinblatt, LLC. She was named by Super Lawyers® as a 2025 Maryland Rising Star. Ms. Morris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John's University and completed her J.D., as a Finan Memorial Scholar & Diversity and Inclusion Scholar, at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, in 2023.
Ms. Morris is a mentor in the iMentor Baltimore program in collaboration with the Baltimore Design School, a volunteer with the Progressive Maryland Baltimore and Prince George County Chapters and most recently, Board of Directors for the Hope Harbor Community Development Corporation.
2025 Community Panelists
Irene Knott
LEED AP & Vice President, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Irene Knott started with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company in 1985 after graduating from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. In addition, she holds a Master of Administrative Science from The Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Knott manages an operating group for Whiting-Turner that provides construction services in multiple industries, including Independent Schools, Multi-Family housing, Healthcare, Indoor Agricultural Grow Facilities, Food, etc. In addition, she is Whiting-Turner’s Independent School's National Leader.
Ms. Knott lives in Pasadena, Maryland with her husband of 35 years (Steve), 9-year-old labradoodle (Archer), 8-year-old bird (Paquita) and many fish. She loves to garden, work out, travel, play on the Chesapeake Bay, and relax with friends and family.
Patrice Sanders
Anchor. Fox Morning News
Patrice Sanders is the anchor for FOX45 Morning News. She joined the morning news team in April of 2003. Patrice has received numerous awards and community distinctions for her work, including an Associated Press Award for a series tackling the problem of childhood obesity. In 2006 Patrice was awarded Towson University’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
Prior to joining FOX45, Patrice anchored and reported in Boston, California, and Pennsylvania. Her career in journalism started in 1995 at ABC News Nightline in Washington, DC. Patrice grew up in Mitchellville, Maryland and graduated from Towson State University.
Patrice is also passionate about her work with children and giving them a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy fitness and nutrition habits. Patrice loves reading, photography, and spending time with her husband, and daughter Naomi.
In 2024, we welcomed 13 total panelists! Our Middle School students appreciated the opportunity to learn from this diverse panel. Learn more about our panelists via the tabs below!
Meet our 2024 panelists!
2023 Upper School Speakers
In 2023, we welcomed 16 total panelists! Our Upper School students appreciated the opportunity to learn from this diverse panel. Learn more about our panelists via the tabs below!