Melissa Fagan

Melissa Fagan is currently serving as CRC’s Interim Executive Director where she oversees CRC’s daily operations, supports the incredible CRC team, and assists with the planning and execution of CRC’s Roundtable Webinars and the 2026 Chesapeake Community Research Symposium.

Melissa joined the Chesapeake Research Consortium in 2001, as staff to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). In 2006, Melissa transitioned to a new role within CRC as coordinator of CRC’s Environmental Management Career Development program. As coordinator, Melissa is responsible for selecting and mentoring CRC Staffers who work to support the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, provide focus to each Staffer’s individual career goals by offering training and professional development opportunities, and increase awareness of the program through interactions with universities, individual students, and interested community members. Since 2004, Melissa has also served as the project manager of CRC’s cooperative agreement with the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program that supports both STAC and the Environmental Management Career Development Program.

Melissa is a 2001 graduate of the University of Rhode Island and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology with a minor emphasis in Marine Affairs. In 2009, Melissa completed her Master of Science degree in Environmental Management at University of Maryland, Global Campus.

Melissa is a Maryland native whose passion for the environment started at an early age and developed into a career path. When not busy at CRC, you can find her traveling, hiking, gardening, cooking, and working on sprucing up her home (interior design was her first love).

Meg Cole

Meg Cole works for the Chesapeake Research Consortium as Coordinator and Interim Executive Secretary for the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) to the Chesapeake Bay Program. In this dual role, she supports STAC in advancing science-based decision-making for Bay restoration and protection by coordinating quarterly meetings, technical workshops, and collaborative efforts across the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, while also carrying out the formal duties of Executive Secretary to the committee. Meg holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Towson University and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Goucher College. Passionate about applying scientific research to support evidence-based policy and management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Meg resides in Baltimore and enjoys weaving, yoga, gardening, and hiking with her dogs.