Jennifer Driban

In her role as president and CEO of the National Aquarium, Jennifer oversees the day-to-day operational management of the National Aquarium and its mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet during a critical period of transition. Jennifer is an experienced nonprofit and public sector leader with a demonstrated history of developing teams, leading organizational change, and working at the intersection of community engagement, public policy and environmental sustainability to reshape how institutions and organizations serve their communities.

Prior to her appointment as president and CEO, Jennifer served as Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, leading the National Aquarium's efforts to grow conservation awareness while building meaningful relationships with community, government and conservation leaders. For almost ten years, she has led a strategically focused department encompassing the Aquarium's government affairs strategy and conservation policy work, education programs and partnerships, field and community conservation efforts, tours and experiences, and guest engagement.

Before joining the National Aquarium in 2016, Jennifer was a senior staff member to Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, where she acted as representative and adviser, working in partnership with Maryland's federal delegation on Capitol Hill. She also has experience working in Maryland state government, the Maryland General Assembly, and with Baltimore City and surrounding counties and municipal governments.

Jennifer serves on the boards of directors of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, the Greater Baltimore Committee, and AZA Action. She volunteers with various community nonprofit organizations including Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and resides with her family in Baltimore City. She is an active alumna of the Ted A. Beattie Executive Leadership Development Program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Leadership program of Baltimore, and the Professional Leadership Program for Women at Towson University where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science and metropolitan studies. She also holds an MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University.