Ann Meier Baker stepped down as President & CEO of Chorus America, the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field in December 2014 to become the Director of Music and Opera at the National Endowment for the Arts.During her fourteen-year tenure at Chorus America, Ann led a dramatic expansion of Chorus America’s programs and services, including landmark research initiatives that document the breadth of the choral field and the value of choruses to their communities. With her leadership, Chorus America gained stature and significance as evidenced by an increasing number of partnerships on projects and issues that affect choruses, the arts and nonprofits in general. Known as a collaborative and compelling leader, she speaks and writes regularly on issues of nonprofit effectiveness, and has led coalitions and multi-disciplinary projects such as the National Performing Arts Convention.Ann’s career includes nearly 30 years of experience in the arts and in education. Prior to her appointment at Chorus America, she was Founding Director of the National School Boards Association’s Foundation. She also served as the Director of Trustee Services at the League of American Orchestras. Her other professional positions included Director of Marketing of the National Association for Music Education, and Professional Singer in the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants. Ann has served on the Board of the Performing Arts Alliance, and on the Board of Advisors of the International Federation of Choral Music.