{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-31/national-aquarium-cuts-30-positions","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-31/national-aquarium-cuts-30-positions.md","title":"National Aquarium to Cut 30 Positions Under CEO Jennifer Driban","headline":"National Aquarium to Eliminate 30 Positions From January 1, 2027 in Restructuring","description":"The National Aquarium will eliminate 30 positions starting January 1, 2027, as President and CEO Jennifer Driban restructures the nonprofit.","section":"Restructuring","published_at":"2026-10-31T19:08:24+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-31T19:08:24+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["The National Aquarium will eliminate 30 positions starting January 1, 2027, with titles, responsibilities and department structures also changing.","President and CEO Jennifer Driban said materials, services and utilities cost more while operating revenue growth has not kept pace.","Around 70% of the aquarium's revenue comes from visitors, including tickets, memberships and donations, supporting more than 10,000 animals.","State lawmakers approved $4 million in the current fiscal year to replace a damaged concrete water tank and improve safety and lighting."],"companies":[{"name":"National Aquarium","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uri/national-aquarium","website":"https://www.aqua.org"}],"source":{"publisher":"Yahoo","title":"National Aquarium to eliminate 30 positions amidst sluggish revenue","url":"https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/national-aquarium-eliminate-30-positions-184000611.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Restructuring","National Aquarium"],"body_markdown":"The National Aquarium will eliminate 30 positions starting January 1, 2027, President and CEO Jennifer Driban said in an announcement, as part of a strategic restructuring. [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/national-aquarium-eliminate-30-positions-184000611.html) reported the cuts earlier this week. Driban joined the aquarium in 2016 and was named president and chief executive in July.\n\n## Driban's Restructuring at the National Aquarium\n\nTitles, responsibilities and department structures will also change during the restructuring, according to the announcement. Some new positions will be added, but Driban's statement did not specify how many. The National Aquarium did not immediately respond to questions about the plan on Saturday.\n\n\"We are facing the same economic challenges as other organizations in the region and across the United States. Materials, services, and utilities all cost more, while operating revenue growth has not increased at the same pace,\" Driban wrote. The 45-year-old aquarium faces increased maintenance costs, she said. Around 70% of its revenue comes from visitors, including tickets, memberships and donations, to support its more than 10,000 animals.\n\n\"The new organizational design supports longevity and forges a strong path forward for the National Aquarium in fulfilling its mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet,\" Driban wrote. State lawmakers approved $4 million in funding within the current fiscal year to replace a damaged concrete water tank and improve safety and lighting systems. The aquarium has been the largest paid attraction in Maryland for four decades, according to the capital budget.\n\n## National Aquarium's Scale in Maryland\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), the [National Aquarium](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002uri/national-aquarium) reports a statewide economic impact of $430 million annually and $36 million in annual tax revenue. The same records put guests attracted in 2025 at 1.1 million, with an impact report released on Earth Day 2026. The aquarium provided free or reduced admission to more than 109,000 guests and served an additional 52,000 students through a Maryland State Department of Education partnership.\n\n## Driban's Path to the CEO Role\n\nIn July 2026, Jennifer Driban was named president and CEO of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, effective July 1, following a nationwide search conducted by the board of directors, American City Business Journals reported. The Daily Record reported in June 2026 that Driban became the first woman to hold the role in the aquarium's 45-year history, having joined the organization in 2016 and been named interim president and CEO in 2025. In October 2026, the aquarium and Baltimore Youth Arts unveiled an interactive art installation on the Harbor Wetland exhibit featuring 12 original artworks by apprentices ages 14 to 21, EIN Presswire reported.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}