Diane Fink – Executive Director
Diane Fink is the Executive Director of Emerge Maryland. She joined the founding organizing committee in September 2011, and in March 2012, she was hired as the Executive Director. Since then, Emerge Maryland has become the fastest-growing organization dedicated to helping women attain public office in the state.
Diane was a member of the Western Maryland Democratic Caucus, a Board member of the Frederick Community Action Agency, and is past Chair of the Board of the Friends for Neighborhood Progress in Frederick. She is also a member of the National Community Action Foundation. Diane joined the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run, Mid and Western Maryland Chapter, in August 2023.
She served on the Maryland State Commission for Women, was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2021, and was recognized by Baltimore Magazine as one of 30 women shaping Baltimore’s future. Diane was named Woman of the Year by the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee in 2019.
Prior to joining Emerge, Diane worked as legislative staff in the Maryland General Assembly.
In 2006, elected by popular vote, she served two terms for eight years on the Frederick County Democratic State Central Committee. During that time, she chaired the Candidates and Campaigns sub-Committee and edited and published the newsletter, The Banner.
Diane began working for local political campaigns in 2001. She worked at all levels, from canvasser to manager, field operations director to a consultant on federal, state, and local races.
She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Frederick County, Maryland.
Donna Penkova – Administrative Assistant
