NRPA Announces 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Ashburn, VA (August 24, 2021)

Association welcomes three new members specializing in marketing, environmental philanthropy and park management to its board

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the nation’s leading advocate for parks and recreation, is proud to announce its 2021-2022 Board of Directors. Board Chair Michael P. Kelly, general superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, and Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO, welcome three new board members — all top executives and senior leaders in their respective fields.

“I am excited to welcome three new members to the board who bring together expertise in strategic marketing, environmental philanthropy, and park and recreation management,” said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. “Their vision, unique perspectives and combined talents will strengthen NRPA and help propel the organization and field of parks and recreation forward. I look forward to working with them to promote parks and recreation’s role as an essential service for our communities.”  

NRPA’s three new Board members are:

  • Rebecca Armstrong, co-founder and CEO, North
  • Mollie Marsh-Heine, senior vice president of development, Earthjustice
  • Arnold L. Randall, general superintendent, Forest Preserves of Cook County

Armstrong, Marsh-Heine and Randall join forces with the following diverse group of leaders who currently serve on the NRPA Board of Directors:

  • Michael Abbaté, FASLA, LEED AP, principal, Abbaté Designs
  • Kathy Abbott, president and CEO, Boston Harbor Now
  • Jesús S. Aguirre, CPRE, superintendent, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation 
  • Jose F. Diaz, executive vice-president, Ballard Partners
  • Victor B. Dover, FAICP, CNU Fellow, LEED-AP, co-founder, Dover, Kohl & Partners Town Planning
  • Angelou Ezeilo, founder and CEO, Greening Youth Foundation
  • Richard B. Gulley, board member, Balboa Park Conservancy
  • Michael P. Kelly, general superintendent and CEO, Chicago Park District
  • Susie Kuruvilla, executive director, Gurnee Park DistrictJoanna Lombard, professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami School of Architecture and Miller School of Medicine
  • Carolyn McKnight-Fredd, CPRP, owner, Eagle Methods Management Consulting
  • Joshua Medeiros, Ed. D, CPRP, AFO, superintendent of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services
  • Kristine Stratton, president and CEO, National Recreation and Park Association (ex officio)
  • Nonet T. Sykes, chief equity and inclusion officer, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
  • Xavier Urrutia, chief of staff to the chancellor, Alamo Colleges District
  • Monica H. Vinluan, senior program officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Lakita Watson, CPRP, executive director, Richland County Park Commission
  • Greg A. Weitzel, MS, CPRP, director, Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Dr. Philip Wu, (retired) physician consultant, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region

NRPA’s governance structure reflects a Board composed of 15-30 individuals. Board members are representative of NRPA’s membership, which includes leaders in the park, recreation and conservation movement; park and recreation professionals and advocates; and individuals from academia, relevant corporations, partner organizations, and volunteer and civic groups.

The 2021-2022 Board of Directors’ term starts on Sept. 20, 2021. New leadership positions within the board will be announced at that time. To learn more about the Board of Directors and NRPA’s leadership team, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.  


###

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.