Maryland Nonprofits’ Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Lindsey Baker as the organization’s next President & CEO. A Maryland-based nonprofit executive with nearly two decades of leadership experience, Baker will lead Maryland’s statewide association of nonprofits as it continues to strengthen and advocate for nearly 1,800+ nonprofit members and partners navigating an evolving nonprofit landscape. Her first day will be October 19, 2026.
“Maryland’s nonprofits are essential partners across our state at a moment when communities are navigating extraordinary challenges and change,” said Will Pass, Maryland Nonprofits Board Chair. “Lindsey is an experienced executive and a long-time Maryland Nonprofits’ member whose statewide relationships and deep understanding of critical nonprofit issues will benefit our whole sector. We are thrilled to welcome her and confident she will be a powerful advocate for our members and nonprofits across the state.”
Baker’s appointment is the result of an extensive national search conducted in partnership with Good Insight, a Washington, DC-based executive search firm focused on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. Tom Riford, a Maryland Nonprofits board member, chaired a Search Committee comprised of select board, staff, and members.
Prior to joining Maryland Nonprofits, Baker served for six years as CEO of Maryland Humanities, a statewide humanities council and long-time Maryland Nonprofits member. Her impactful tenure resulted in significant growth, and more recently, stabilization from the funding disruption of DOGE. As CEO, she grew the organization’s budget by more than 50 percent, cultivated $3.25 million in new, dedicated state funding for the humanities, strengthened governance and internal operations, and built relationships across the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, and Maryland Philanthropy Network. Her relationship with Maryland Nonprofits has included being a member and conference presenter, and leading Maryland Humanities through the Standards for Excellence accreditation process, earning the seal that reflects best practices in governance and management.
Baker previously served as Executive Director of Patapsco Heritage Greenway and spent ten years leading the Laurel Historical Society. Across these roles, she developed partnerships spanning government, philanthropy, nonprofits, environmental organizations, museums, and community groups while strengthening organizational capacity and sustainability.
“Maryland’s nonprofit sector is under real pressure right now, with funding cuts to rising needs affecting every community we serve. I’m excited to join Maryland Nonprofits at a time when a strong statewide advocate and convener is more important than ever,” said Baker. “I look forward to building partnerships across sectors, advocating for the people who do this work every day, and strengthening our nonprofit community, all while staying grounded in Maryland’s communities.”
Baker holds a Master of Arts in History with a concentration in Museum Studies from the University of Delaware. She has served on the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Maryland Semiquincentennial Commission / MD250. She is a member of the Class of 2022 of Leadership Maryland, has been recognized as one of The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women of Maryland in 2024, and received its Empowering Women Award in 2025. She and her family live in Laurel, Maryland.
