HeartSmiles Leadership Announcement: Morgan Prioleau Named Deputy Executive Director

Baltimore, MD — A new chapter of leadership is unfolding at HeartSmiles as longtime team member Morgan Prioleau has been promoted to Deputy Executive Director, marking a significant milestone for the youth-focused organization and the community it serves.

Since joining HeartSmiles in 2020 as Senior Programs Director, Prioleau has played a central role in shaping the organization’s youth development programs and expanding opportunities for young people across Baltimore. Her leadership has helped strengthen year-round programming while ensuring that the organization’s work remains grounded in the real needs and experiences of the city’s youth.

Over the past several years, Prioleau has overseen initiatives that connect young people with mentorship, employment opportunities, and personal development programs. She has also guided youth fellows, coordinated part-time employment opportunities for participants, and helped design systems that keep HeartSmiles’ programs running efficiently.

Her promotion recognizes not only her operational leadership, but also the relationships she has built with the young people the organization serves.

“Morgan has been one of the strongest leaders at HeartSmiles for years,” said Founder and Executive Director Joni Holifield. “Her commitment to our young people, her steady leadership, and her vision for the future of this organization make her the right person to help guide HeartSmiles forward.”

Holifield also shared that the promotion comes during a deeply personal moment for the organization’s leadership.

“As I continue my fight to beat cancer, it gives me great comfort to know that the organization is in such capable hands,” she said.

Prioleau brings a strong public health foundation to her work. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Temple University and has contributed to research examining youth wellbeing, housing instability, and the experiences of young people impacted by substance abuse. Her academic background has informed her approach to program development, helping HeartSmiles create initiatives that address both the social and structural challenges facing youth.

But colleagues say her greatest strength is her ability to connect directly with young people.

Known among staff and participants as both a mentor and a listener, Prioleau has earned a reputation for creating spaces where youth feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals.

In her new role as Deputy Executive Director, she will take on expanded responsibilities supporting organizational strategy, program growth, and operational leadership as HeartSmiles continues to deepen its impact in Baltimore.

The leadership transition signals both stability and forward momentum for the organization, which remains focused on equipping young people with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.

For the many youth whose lives have already been shaped by HeartSmiles programs, Prioleau’s promotion represents something more than a title — it reflects the continued investment in leadership that understands the power of mentorship, opportunity, and community.