Our Team

John David “J.D.” Merrill is an experienced public sector leader, communicator, and project manager who adds capacity and value to every team he is a part of.

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Prior to founding Mangrove Strategies, he served as a teacher, school district leader, and school leader in Baltimore City Public Schools, where he helped lead his school to be the most improved K-8 in Baltimore City. You can read about J.D.'s work in these roles here.

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J.D. started his career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching high school social studies at Baltimore City College, the same high school he graduated from (City Forever!). He earned his B.A. in Educational Policy Studies from Davidson College and an M.S. in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

 

J.D. enjoys working out, swimming, playing pickleball, biking, kayaking, exploring nature, picking up trash, and volunteering. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Reach out to J.D. to explore working together.