Chesapeake Conservancy
Jody Hedeman Couser has over 25 years of experience in communications and public relations. Jody Hedeman currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Communications at the Chesapeake Conservancy since 2015. Prior to that, they worked as a Communications Advisor at EcoLogix Group starting in 2018.
From 2006 to 2015, Couser was the Principal at River Bay Communications, LLC. Before that, they were the Press Secretary for Duncan/Simms for Maryland from 2005 to 2006, where they oversaw media strategy and served as the principle spokesperson for the candidates.
Couser also held the role of Director of Communications for Anne Arundel County from 2002 to 2005, where they managed media relations for the county and served as the principal spokeswoman for the County Executive. Jody Hedeman provided strategic planning and public relations counsel to the executive and department heads.
Earlier in their career, Couser worked as a Public Information Officer for the American Medical Association from 2001 to 2002, providing strategic communications counsel and writing press releases, statements, and speeches. Jody Hedeman also served as the Director of Communications and Development at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, INC. from 1997 to 2001, where they directed all aspects of communication and served as the principal spokesperson.
Couser began their career as a Communications Staff Assistant and Production Manager at The Kamber Group from 1995 to 1997, where they wrote press releases, organized news conferences, and designed communication strategies.
Overall, Couser has extensive experience in various communications roles, with expertise in media relations, strategic planning, and public relations counsel.
Jody Hedeman Couser has a Master of Political Management degree with a focus on Political Campaigns and Communications from The George Washington University. In addition, they hold a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Roanoke College, specializing in Political Science and Government as well as Written Communications. The specific start and end years for both degrees are not provided.
Chesapeake Conservancy
Chesapeake Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. We are a team of conservation entrepreneurs. We believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible for everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. We use technology to enhance the pace and quality of conservation, and we help build parks, trails and public access sites. With global calls to protect 30% of land by 2030 as a climate solution, Chesapeake Conservancy uses artificial intelligence and groundbreaking data to accelerate progress in conserving landscapes vital to the Bay’s health and its cultural heritage while equitably connecting people to the Chesapeake. We are a leading partner in the coalition working to establish a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would bring National Park Service status to the Chesapeake. We are proud to play a major part in protecting special places around the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including a national marine sanctuary, a national monument, a national trail, a national historical park, and expanding national wildlife refuges, state parks, county parks and city parks. We believe that people need to enjoy the Bay in order to vote for it, volunteer for it, or maybe even commit their career to striving for a healthier Bay. Our mission: To conserve and restore the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. We serve as a catalyst for change, advancing strong public and private partnerships, developing and using new technology and empowering environmental stewardship. Our objective is to accelerate progress to conserve 30% of the Chesapeake watershed by 2030 by equitably connecting people to the Chesapeake while conserving and restoring priority lands and waters.