After a remarkable career improving the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Laurie Schwartz has announced her retirement from the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore (WPB). Schwartz has served as president of WPB since the organization was founded nearly 20 years ago. She will officially retire on WPB’s 20th anniversary in June.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is honored to have worked with Schwartz on Baltimore Harbor initiatives including creating the Harris Creek Rain Garden and the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership—a collaboration between CBF and WPB to grow oysters in the Harbor and engage community members in large-scale oyster restoration.
Carmera Thomas-Wilhite, CBF’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice, previously served as WPB’s Healthy Harbor Program Manager under Schwartz’s leadership, and currently serves on the Waterfront Partnership’s Board.
To congratulate Schwartz, Thomas-Wilhite issued the following statement:
“Laurie Schwartz has been a true champion for Baltimore. When I joined WPB in 2016, Laurie welcomed me immediately to her small and mighty team. Together, we worked to build equitable practices for the organization. I am honored to have learned from her and congratulate Laurie on her retirement on the 20th year anniversary of Waterfront Partnership.”
