President

President

The Opportunity
For more than 50 years, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has fought vigilantly for healthy rivers, clean streams, and a restored Chesapeake Bay. For this vital organization, it is not just about clean water. Taking action to reduce pollution supports local businesses, creates jobs, and provides significant environmental and public health benefits. With a strong focus on equity, the Foundation deeply believes that all watershed communities deserve no less, including those that have long faced systemic barriers to clean water, air, and a safe environment.

Even through the pandemic, the Foundation has continued its critical work, accomplishing major improvements for the Bay. Over the past year, across the 64,000-square-mile watershed, devoted employees planted trees, restored oyster reefs, improved farming practices, engaged in strategic partnerships, won legislative victories, provided environmental education to students, helped communities clean up rivers and streams, and reached ever closer to the goal of a vibrant Chesapeake Bay—successes that will stand for generations as a testament to what can be achieved together.

This year will also mark a critical moment for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as the President, Will Baker, prepares for retirement. Baker joined the organization as an intern and has dedicated 40 years to building and growing the organization. As the Board of Trustees celebrates Baker’s great legacy, they will be appointing a dynamic leader to build on this rich history and position the Foundation for incredible impact ahead.

Mission
Save the Bay®, and keep it saved, as defined by reaching a score of 70 on CBF’s Health Index.

Vision
The Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers, broadly recognized as a national treasure, will be highly productive and in good health as measured by established water quality standards. The result will be clear water, free of impacts from toxic contaminants, and with healthy oxygen levels. Natural filters on both the land and in the water will provide resilience to the entire Chesapeake Bay system and serve as valuable habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic life.

The Organization
Founded in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Bay.

Serving as a watchdog, CBF fights for effective, science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. CBF’s motto, “Save the Bay,” is a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake’s sixstate, 64,000- square-mile watershed, which is home to more than 18 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals.

And, just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

With environmental award-winning offices in Maryland and Virginia, as well as offices in Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia and 15 field centers, CBF continues to lead the way in restoring the Bay and its rivers and streams. For more than 50 years, the organization has created broad understanding of the Bay’s poor health, engaged public leaders in making commitments to restore the Chesapeake, and fought successfully to create a new approach to cleanup that features real accountability—the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

But the Bay is still a system dangerously out of balance. CBF continues to engage in education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration to turn the tide and leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.

The President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to a very committed and highly productive staff towards goals crafted through a dynamic partnership with the Board of Trustees. The President will play a significant role in fundraising as well as serving as a regional and national thought leader on conservation issues.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership experience, which may include executive leadership within a nonprofit organization, scientific organization, research organization, thinktank, institution of higher learning or business enterprise. Passion for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s mission, and the gravitas to raise funds and to inspire a diverse array of stakeholders is a must.

Contact information for applicants:
John Elkerton
Managing Associate
KORN FERRY
john.elkerton@kornferry.com

kornferry.com