Chrissy Erb
Executive Director
In January 2023, Chrissy Erb was hired as Director, Essex Development Initiative with the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce to manage the efforts to revitalize Essex with full funding through 2024 from Essex Reimagined, a place-based initiative established by the Office of the Baltimore County Executive, Johny Olszewski, Jr. At the end of 2023, Essex Community Development Organization was formed. Chrissy is the only paid staff member within the organization as is responsible for carrying out its mission as guided by the Board of Directors. Once funding for the Essex Development Initiative ends in December 2024, Essex CDC will stand alone as a 501(c)(3) but will ALWAYS maintain a strong partnership with the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, its founding organization.
Chrissy brings not only experience in partnership building and community development and engagement, but a passion for it! Her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Moldova as well as her upbringing in her faith community both formed and fueled her desire to give back to the greater community and make a difference in the lives of others. She has spent over two decades gaining experience in a variety of roles at the local, national and international level, with organizations including the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Episcopal Community Services of Maryland, Boston Partners in Education, the United Nations Development Program, and Civic Works, Inc. Her variety of skills – including project development, implementation, and evaluation, grant writing and monitoring, volunteer recruitment and management, budget creation and management, and partnership building – are well suited for her role in Essex. She is active in her children’s school community and enjoys cheering on her children in their sports activities and band concerts. Chrissy is a native of Baltimore City and loves trying out new restaurants, supporting local businesses, and spending quality time with friends and family.
