Kristen Pironis

Pironis joined Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County in April of 2021 as executive director and was announced as its CEO in February 2025. Under Pironis’ leadership, the organization has experienced tremendous growth in its strategy and scope of work, staff, and financials.  Further, during her tenure, the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Foundation was established to meet mission-adjacent imperatives for the industry. Known for her strategic thinking and bold leadership philosophy, Pironis has assumed a pivotal role at a critical time for promoting Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, focusing on transforming lives through travel. Upon joining the organization, she brought a fresh perspective to enhance the mission and operational execution, which is supported by three core values: inclusivity, stewardship and audacity. Through a comprehensive strategic planning process, four guided priorities were established: to cultivate and lead a diverse and inclusive hospitality and tourism community, to collaborate with partners across the destination, to drive prosperity and sustainability, and to strengthen organizational capacity.

As a fiercely dedicated member of the community, region, and state, Pironis serves as the chair of the Maryland State Library Board, a member of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, is a member of the Anne Arundel County Local Workforce Development Board, and chair of the Hospitality Collaborative, and serves on the Advisory Committee for Anne Arundel County’s Nonprofit Center at 41 Community Place. Pironis received the Marion Satterthwaite Award in 2019 for her outstanding achievement in library advocacy in Maryland. She was also awarded the “New Professional of the Year” by the Maryland Tourism Coalition in 2022. In addition, she is a proud member of the class of 2022 Leadership Anne Arundel and was recently named a member of the 2025 executive class for Leadership Maryland.

Prior to joining Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Pironis served more than 16 years at the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, most recently as executive vice president of marketing and communications. In this role, she led the marketing and communication division in the development, integration, and implementation of a wide range of marketing, communications, public relations, events, revenue, and sponsorship activities in support of the strategic priorities of the organization. She also acted as a trusted and strategic advisor to the president, board members, and volunteer leaders. Prior to that, she worked at several nonprofits including the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, the Maryland Science Center, among others.

Pironis received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit and Association Management. In addition, she received certification in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from Cornell University in 2023.

Pironis is deeply committed to supporting the arts, advocating for hospitality and tourism, and ensuring that Annapolis and Anne Arundel County remain welcoming, accessible, and forward-thinking. She is also a strong advocate for sustainability and is dedicated to addressing challenges directly within the hospitality industry, particularly through workforce development initiatives.

She resides in Queen Anne’s County with her partner, dog and a flock of backyard chickens, where she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including paddle boarding, crabbing, and working in her garden. She also finds time to unwind by refinishing furniture and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and on the grill, embracing a farm-to-table approach with backyard ingredients.

Her favorite place to visit within Anne Arundel County is anything on or around the Chesapeake Bay as well as BWI Marshall Airport because “even when I go there for a meeting, I can dream about my next adventure.”