Ann Hillyer

Ann McGinnis Hillyer is the founder and CEO of Destination Growth Partners, Inc. and the operator of OceanCity.com. She has spent more than 30 years building the tourism economy of Maryland's Eastern Shore through digital platforms, community events, and regional partnerships. A Duke University graduate and recipient of the Maryland Tourism Advocate Award and Audrey Davenport Hospitality Person of the Year Award, Ann founded DGP in 2025 to bring her talents, relationships, and entrepreneurial energy to the nonprofit community she has worked alongside her entire career — and as an early adopter of AI, she is using every tool available to do it faster, smarter, and at greater scale than ever before.