Photo by Dianna Keen | Courtesy of The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Press Release by Kenny Fletcher of The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Maryland 2026 - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Board of Trustees has elected Ann Pelham as its chair for a three-year term. Pelham spent her professional career in the media industry and is the retired publisher of Legal Times, an ALM Media company focused on law and lobbying in Washington, D.C. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
“Ann brings a thoughtful combination of strategic vision, sound judgment, and deep commitment to the Chesapeake Bay,” said Hilary Harp Falk, President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “Her leadership, experience, and collaborative approach will be invaluable as CBF builds on decades of progress to restore the Bay. We are grateful for her continued service and look forward to working together to advance our mission for the Bay and its communities.”
Pelham joined CBF’s Board of Trustees in 2019, became Vice Chair in 2023, and was appointed as Vice Chair-Elect in 2025. She has also served as chair of the Audit & Finance Committee and as board liaison to the organization’s year-long strategic planning process. She takes the helm from outgoing Board Chair Otis Jones. Her term begins just after leaders around the region committed to an updated Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that will guide the next 15 years of Bay restoration.
“I am honored to step into the role of board chair at a pivotal moment for the Bay,” Pelham said. “For decades, CBF has led efforts to save the Bay with science, credibility, and impact. The organization’s history of success, the strength of its team, and the collective voice of its members leave us well positioned to meet the challenges ahead.”
She praised Falk for being “an exemplary leader,” noting that “she is both hands on and strategic in her approach.” Pelham added, “Hilary has deepened and built relationships across the watershed for CBF.”
She emphasized the importance of partnership to ensure a thriving Chesapeake Bay and local waterways that benefit everyone in the region.
“As chair, I am committed to listening, learning, and engaging closely with CBF’s staff, partners, members, and community volunteers,” she said. “By working together, we will continue reducing pollution, restoring oysters, and rebuilding the fish and wildlife that depend on this extraordinary ecosystem. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Bay.”
Pelham spent the bulk of her career reporting and editing at Legal Times and other publications. She serves on the Duke University Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Undergraduate Education Committee and served as a member of the Executive Committee, among other roles. She also serves as a director of Canal Insurance Company, as president of the Jean T. and Heyward G. Pelham Foundation, and is a past President of the Duke Alumni Association.
