Her Story
About Renée
Renée Myrie, LCSW-C, LPN is the Juvenile Court Services Coordinator for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Juvenile Division, where she leads court and community initiatives that support justice-involved youth and their families. With more than 13 years of experience in juvenile justice, behavioral health, and nursing, she oversees the Court's DNA Parentage Laboratory, coordinates multidisciplinary partnerships, and manages youth-focused programs, including the annual Adolescent Resource Fair and the Circuit Court for Baltimore City's LINKS Program, which provides mental health, substance use prevention, workforce development, and leadership programming for youth ages 12–21.
A Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical and Licensed Practical Nurse, Renée earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and continues to practice nursing on weekends. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership at Franklin University, where her research focuses on leadership, organizational culture, and the experiences of Black women in the workplace.
Renée is also the Director of LINKS Program, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering justice-involved youth through education, behavioral health services, mentorship, and community partnerships.
A first-generation college graduate, Renée is passionate about opening doors for others through service, advocacy, and leadership. In recognition of her impact, she was named one of The Daily Record's Leading Women Under 40 in Maryland. She believes that perseverance creates opportunity and encourages others to remember that "delayed does not mean denied."
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Renée
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to recognizing that I'm paving the way for people who thought they never could. As a first-generation college graduate, there are a lot of people looking at me thinking 'if she can do it, I know I can do it.' What you're carrying and accomplishing doesn't just represent or clear a path for you; it's also firing up other people. You could be their reason why they haven't given up either. It's a great burden to carry, and it's important because a lot of people gain hope from your journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is simple: never give up. Just because something is delayed doesn't mean it's denied. Too often, people believe they've fallen behind if they haven't reached certain milestones by 25 or 30, and they give up before they've given themselves a real chance to succeed.
I've learned that everyone's journey unfolds on its own timeline. I was an adult returning student and didn't earn my bachelor's degree until my 30s, while many of my peers graduated in their early 20s. At one point, I could have convinced myself it was too late—but I didn't. Instead, I kept going, and every step forward opened new opportunities.
Your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's. What matters most is staying committed to your goals, even when progress feels slow. Success isn't about arriving first—it's about refusing to quit. That mindset has carried me throughout my career, and it's a reminder I continue to live by today: Delayed does not mean denied.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering the industry to know their worth, even when they don't immediately feel welcomed or included. Don't let society's timelines make you believe you're behind. Your journey is uniquely yours, and no one can bring your gifts or perspective the way you can. Stay encouraged, keep showing up, and remember that what's meant for you will come at the right time. Be inspired and keep going. Don't be dismayed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the opportunities I've had are to meet incredible people in our field, as social work is very vast, and we end up meeting people from all different types of administration places and government, finding creative ways to collaborate. The biggest challenge is funding. Most of us in government agencies depend on grants and federal funding, so being able to continue to provide services and support to people in lower economic societies in Baltimore City is challenging. The opportunity is finding other people trying to do the same work and collaborating more than before.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, empathy, authenticity, and consistency are the values most important to me in my work and personal life.
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