Riverlife
Pittsburgh, PA
Point State Park

In partnership with the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Riverlife completed a $35 million restoration of Point State Park culminating in the re-opening of the signature fountain. Led fundraising efforts in the final stages of the Friends of the Fountain campaign, served as liaison between corporate, foundation and government funders, and partnered with designers on donor acknowledgement signage.  Most recently in a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure and PennDOT, I oversaw project management activities including permitting compliance and contract and grant funding deliverables for construction of switchback ramp providing new bicycle and pedestrian connections to the park.

Allegheny Land Trust/Landforce
Pittsburgh, PA
Emerald View Park/Environmental Workforce Training

Born out of a grassroots effort to expand green space on Mount Washington, Allegheny Land Trust partnered with the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation to preserve property for a new 257-acre park and trail system. As part of park development, Mt. Washington CDC initiated the Emerald Trail Corps, a program to train and employ a local landforce from disenfranchised community members.  Expanding on the success of the training and employment program, Landforce was launched as a separate nonprofit organization.

Led community fundraising efforts for Allegheny Land Trust to protect new parklands and trail connections through property acquisition and conservation easements. Currently serve on Landforce board of directors developing strategic organizational priorities and securing funding for project implementation including the Google Impact Challenge award-winning program to expand workforce training in green technologies.

The Trust for Public Land
New York, NY
Newark, NJ
Parks for People Program

TPL’s Parks for People program transforms vacant lots into vibrant recreational resources in neighborhoods underserved by existing parks. Led financing and communications efforts for $34 million capital campaign to build community playgrounds in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and Newark Public Schools.  Construction of new playgrounds incorporated participatory design feedback from students and amenities and play equipment reflected community needs. Presented the Huey Johnson Eureka! team award for innovation in creating TPL’s park and playground program.

The Academy of Natural Sciences
Philadelphia, PA
Conservation of Special Collections

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University houses one of the world’s top natural history collections, with over 18 million specimens of plants and animals including the botany collection of plant specimens from the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  Oversaw external affairs for the Academy including government relations, communications, marketing, and fundraising departments, and liaison with research scientists and museum educators. Responsible for activities related to completion of $25 million collections endowment campaign supported by individual, foundation and government funding including noteworthy awards from the National Park Service Save America’s Treasures grant program.