Meredith Mowen is the new chair of the National Aquarium’s Board of Directors.
The aquarium announced that Mowen was elected after serving as board chair of the National Aquarium Foundation. The aquarium also announced that former chair Ted Wiese has returned to the board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Merrie Mowen as our board chair,” said Jennifer Driban, Interim President and CEO of the National Aquarium, in a statement. “Merrie’s leadership, perspective, and commitment to our mission come at a pivotal moment, and we look forward to partnering with her to advance our vision, strengthen our impact, and guide the Aquarium into its next chapter. We are equally grateful to Ted Wiese for his continued dedication to the National Aquarium and deep understanding of our work, which will be an incredible asset as we continue to connect people with nature.”
Mowen, who succeeded Colleen Dilenschneider, is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at 1919 Investment Counsel, overseeing the firm’s Baltimore office. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, she is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, Operating Committee and Equity Strategy Working Group.
Mowen holds bachelor’s degrees from Springfield College and Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University), as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and the Baltimore Security Analysts Society and serves on the Board of Trustees for Stevenson University, where she chairs the investment committee.
Wiese was the National Aquarium’s board chair from 2022 to 2024 and also serves on the National Aquarium Foundation’s board. He spent 35 years at T. Rowe Price, where he was head of global fixed income and a member of the firm’s management committee until 2018.
Located at 501 E. Pratt St., the National Aquarium is Maryland’s largest paid tourist attraction and one of the top aquariums in the country. Its board provides strategic, long-term planning and oversight for the organization, which is an economic engine for the city and state and a leading advocate for local and global conservation initiatives.
“I am honored to step into the role of board chair for the Aquarium,” Mowen said in a statement. “I’m personally inspired by our mission and the impact we make in the community every day. I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members and the leadership team to build on this momentum, deepen our impact, and help shape a sustainable future.”
