Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Fondersmith.
Hi Leah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was never proud to be from Baltimore. In fact, when I was applying to colleges junior year of high school, I didn’t apply to a single university in Maryland and landed myself in… Pennsylvania. I went to Penn State and had some of the best years of my life, but when I moved back home to Baltimore upon graduation in 2009 (my god, I’m aging myself), I was already itching to get away. So, when a boy I was dating at the time (who shall remain nameless) moved to Sacramento, CA, I didn’t think twice before following him across the country. When I’d tell people where I was from, it was always met with “Oh, The Wire?” and I’d laugh it off and explain, “It’s not like that,” but I always felt a pang of embarrassment to call Baltimore my hometown. Ultimately, my relationship went sour, and I boomeranged back to Baltimore shortly before the pandemic. I was 30, newly single, and ready to explore all that Baltimore had to offer. Then, the world shut down. We were confined to our homes, and I kept myself busy with side projects. I bought a house, and started a rental in my basement for travel nurses to help pay off debt. Oh, and I met a boy. The CUTEST boy who just so happened to live in…Sacramento, CA. So, we did the long-distance thing (for way too long) and traveled the country. I was fortunate to have a remote job that let me visit Sacramento often. So, how did we end up here? With me posting travel videos on TikTok? When cute boy proposed in 2024, we started saving for a wedding & my love for travel needed to take a pause. Being the ADHD girlie that I am, I still needed a creative outlet, so I decided to start “dating my hometown” and treat Baltimore like a tourist city. I grew up with a 90’s handheld camera in my hand and even went to film school at Penn State, so the decision to “vlog” my Baltimore Bucket List experience was a natural decision. I made a list of every iconic Baltimore place I’d always wanted to visit but never did. And for once, I prioritized Baltimore. I visited the hidden gems like Ladew Gardens. I strolled neighborhoods I had never visited before and fell in love with the charm of Mount Vernon. I crossed off eating at Baltimore institutions like Ekiben & grabbed a crabcake from Koco’s Pub. So, that’s how I got here. Making travel videos. Falling back in love with a city I once tried to run from. It took me 37 years…but I finally fell for Baltimore. And I’m so glad I did.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part was realizing I couldn’t keep waiting for others to live my life. For years, I had a running Baltimore bucket list filled with places I wanted to explore, but I kept putting it off, waiting for friends or family to join me. Eventually, I decided I didn’t want to wait anymore. So I went. Alone.
When I found myself bored on a Saturday, instead of curling up in front of the TV with my cat, I’d head out solo. I’d grab dinner and a show at the Hippodrome or Baltimore Center Stage. I started stepping out of my comfort zone and learning how to enjoy my own company. I also learned how to stop caring so much about what other people think. Filming in public still feels awkward, but I do it anyway.
Hitting “post” on social media was its own challenge. It feels incredibly vulnerable to put yourself out there for others to see. I actually started vlogging when I was 18, back in 2006 when YouTube was just starting. I filmed entire summers of my life but never posted a single video because I was scared of what people might think. Now, at 37, I’m still working through that fear with every post I share. And I like to think I’m doing it for that younger version of myself who just wanted to be seen and understood.
I grew up making horror movies, commercials, and TV shows with my friends, always with a 90s camcorder in hand. Those tapes still sit in a box in my parents’ basement in the Baltimore suburbs. Today, I’m finally choosing to honor that creative kid inside me. I’m showing up, telling my story, and hitting post.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve worked in higher education for over a decade now across a range of institutions, from large public universities like Towson University to a small private art and design school. I even spent a stint in the private sector working in sales for MNTN, an advertising tech platform where Ryan Reynolds happens to be the Chief Creative Officer (yes, that Ryan Reynolds!). My background in theater, film, sales, and education has really shaped the way I approach my career, with creativity, curiosity, and a people-first mindset.
What ties all of my experiences together is a deep love for building meaningful relationships and helping others grow. Whether it’s coaching a student through a tough job search or connecting with a recruiter about internship opportunities, I thrive when I’m acting as a bridge between people and possibilities.
Currently, I serve as the Assistant Director of Employer Relations at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School. I specialize in sourcing networking, internship, and full-time job opportunities for our MBA students, with a focus on the tech industry. This is really just a fancy way to say, I help our students get jobs.
One of the highlights of my role is creating immersive, real-world experiences for students. Most recently, I led a group of our MBAs to Seattle for a tech trek. We visited companies like Amazon and Microsoft, took behind-the-scenes office tours, met with alumni working in product and marketing, and gained valuable insight into what it takes to thrive in tech post-MBA.
I absolutely love working in higher education. It allows me to combine my passion for education with my drive to build strategic partnerships and empower others. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, hosting employer panels, or organizing cross-country treks, I genuinely enjoy creating moments that open doors for students and help them feel confident in their career path.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Oh, I love this question! Most people think networking means constantly meeting new people, but the truth is, it starts with the network you already have. Friends, family, classmates, coworkers, even your neighbors—they’re all part of your existing network, and often, they’re more willing to help than you think.
If you’re looking to expand your circle, focus on consistency and community. Join local meetups, clubs, or professional organizations—and then keep showing up. Repetition builds trust. Think about how you made friends in school or at work: you saw the same people regularly. The same rule applies here.
Choose a favorite coffee shop, volunteer for a cause you care about, or become a regular at events like CreativeMornings Baltimore. When you put yourself in spaces that align with your interests and keep showing up, relationships will naturally follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leah.beyondbaltimore
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahfondersmith/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondbaltimore
