WYE MILLS – Keasha Haythe, member of the Talbot County Council and Chesapeake College alumna, will deliver the keynote address at Chesapeake’s 2026 Commencement on Wednesday, May 20 at 2 pm in the Todd Performing Arts Center.

Ms. Haythe serves as President & CEO of the Foundation of HOPE, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established to help women and young girls. She is the founder of the organization and developed the Economic Development and Empowerment Program for adolescent girls attending middle school.

Ms. Haythe has been an Economic Development Professional for more than two decades serving as director for local government. Partnering with private and public stakeholders, she championed education, entrepreneurship and expansion of existing businesses as key economic drivers. Ms. Haythe spearheaded construction of a Technology Park and developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the first business incubator on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She has secured over $100M in funding for government projects, business expansions and start-ups.

Ms. Haythe holds an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Chesapeake College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. She is a member of many professional organizations. In her professional career she was appointed by Governor Hogan to serve a four-year term on the Maryland Marketing Partnership Board under the Maryland Department of Commerce, she also served as President of the Maryland Economic Development Association Board of Directors. October 2023, Governor Moore appointed her to serve on the Maryland Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors representing the Talbot County Council.

Ms. Haythe is an ordained minister and a member of Faith City Central in Brandywine, MD. She is married to Marcus L. Haythe Sr., and they have three adult children; Marcus Jr., (U.S. Army Veteran) Miniah and Isaiah.

Ms. Haythe was born and raised in Talbot County. She was elected in 2022 as the first African American female and is serving her first term as a member of the Talbot County Council.