FOX45: Baltimore to pay for employee’s $1,800-an-hour coaching sessions

Baltimore to Fund $1,800-an-Hour Coaching for City Executive

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates has authorized ten executive coaching sessions for Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach, with each session costing $1,800 per hour. Leach, one of the city’s top-paid officials with an annual salary near $276,000, is set to work with her former supervisor, Rashad Young, who now runs a leadership development company.

The coaching arrangement is part of a broader $125,000 initiative that also includes workshops and a retreat for senior city staff. The proposal, first reported by Baltimore Brew, has drawn sharp criticism from taxpayer advocates who view it as favoritism and misuse of public funds.

“Someone should’ve stood up and said ‘no’,” said taxpayer advocate David Williams. “It’s incredible the Board of Estimates just rubber-stamped this expenditure.”

Although Leach abstained from the vote on her own coaching contract, Williams warned the deal could set a troubling pattern.

“What this does is establish another bad precedent on spending money,” Williams added.

For more details, contact Jeff Abell at [email protected] or follow him on X at @JeffAbellFOX45.

Author’s Summary

The Baltimore Board’s approval of costly coaching for a top city official has ignited debate over transparency and fiscal responsibility in local government spending.

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The Baltimore Sun The Baltimore Sun — 2025-11-07

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