A Woman’s Place

Is At The Center Club

Women’s History Month is an ideal opportunity to profile Center Club members who also provide leadership on the board, committees and IntraClubs, helping to make the Club even more valuable for all.

Denise Adah

As current co-chair of the Viewpoints program and longtime member of the Board of Governors, Denise’s connection to The Center Club has evolved since she first visited it at One Charles Center (its previous location). At that time, she was an MBA student at Loyola University Maryland.

Years later, Denise became a financial advisor for Ameriprise and was in a position to plan and host meetings and social gatherings for clients and prospective clients. She became a member of The Center Club and quickly found it to be the ideal place for one-on-one networking and gatherings of all sizes. The Center Club handled everything, she said, and was always consistent, enabling her to focus on her clients.

She became more involved in the Club and was such an enthusiastic advocate that a colleague recommended her for the membership committee, which she went on to chair for six years.

Today, Denise works for CUSO Financial Services and uses The Center Club differently than she used to. “Now, for me, the Club is a place to wind down,” she says. She meets friends—old and new—and appreciates the ease of parking and the level of comfort. “I love being in the Club,” she says.

Stephanie Basu

If you ever wonder who chooses the “cocktail of the month” at Bar100 and throughout The Center Club, look no further than the Cocktail Club, co-chaired by Stephanie Basu. “It’s where the party is,” she says.

When Stephanie and her husband relocated to Baltimore from New York City, a friend brought them to dinner at The Center Club. They recognized that the Club would be an excellent way to meet people and get to know their new city, so they became members.

Stephanie says that, although her work as a speech pathologist does not require extensive networking, she enjoys the social and community aspects of The Center Club. It reflects what she likes about Baltimore: “the urban environment with a small town feel,” she notes.

Stephanie is also involved with the Young Members Committee. She and her husband have enjoyed weekend and holiday gatherings as well.

The monthly Cocktail Club gatherings, along with trivia contests, have remained a great social outlet, even during the pandemic, she says. Each month, the culinary team shares several options for the “cocktail of the month,” which members can sample and vote on. It’s one way to contribute to the quality, distinctiveness and good cheer of The Center Club.

As an entrepreneur and small business owner, Tara Rudo’s Center Club membership has helped her cultivate client relationships and grow her business as a professional organizing service firm. No More Piles capitalizes on Tara and her team’s expertise to solve their clients’ organizational challenges, whether just one room, a whole house or a life transition.

Tara co-chairs Executive Forum 2 at the Club with Gina Ramsey who, not coincidentally, was her first connection to the Club. This coed group was especially helpful as Tara sought to shift the focus of her business during the pandemic. With the help of the group, Tara redirected her attention to estate clearing and helping seniors who were downsizing. Her skills transferred seamlessly as she adapted her business model. As a result, “2022 was our best year ever,” she says.

As Tara continues to raise a family, she says there is yet another benefit to The Center Club. She can enjoy being a mom while still connecting with the professional side of her identity. There are opportunities for learning about business and other interesting topics. Tara remains inspired by other Club members, especially those in Women in Business.