Jenny Cox

Conservation Program Manager, National Recreation and Park Association

Jenny Cox is a Conservation Program Manager at the NRPA overseeing the Parks and Green Infrastructure for Health initiative and the Great Urban Parks Campaign grant program. Jenny holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is passionate about the connection between parks, the environment and community health.

Rachel Banner

Director of Park Access at National Recreation and Park Association

Rachel Banner leads the 10-Minute Walk Campaign at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), where she designs strategy and manages a team to deliver training, technical assistance, grants, research, evaluation and communications to ensure park professionals have the tools to improve communities through equitable access to quality parks. Rachel received her Master’s in Public Health from Tufts University and her BS in Exercise Science from Elon University, both focused on health equity, chronic disease prevention and the built environment.

Jared Mummert

Program Specialist, National Recreation and Park Association

Jared Mummert is a Program Specialist at NRPA, working on the 10-Minute Walk campaign. As a graduate in Environmental Law and Policy from Unity College, he is dedicated to environmental justice issues. Prior to his time at NRPA, Jared worked as a political and community outreach organizer on multiple campaigns, including organizing farmers in Maryland to close loopholes in the Clean Water Act, engaging Colorado voters in the 2014 midterm election, and connecting low-income families to national parks. He has also served in the Student Conservation Association, AmeriCorps, and the National Park Service as park ranger for multiple sites, including Grand Teton National Park. As an avid outdoorsman and public lands advocate, Jared is passionate about ensuring everyone has access to quality open spaces.

Sarah Bryant

Director of Community Initiatives, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership

Sarah Bryant is the Director of Community Initiatives at Cooper’s Ferry Partnership (CFP), a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for the preservation and growth of a vibrant Camden, NJ. At CFP, Sarah transfers her passion for public spaces into action, focusing on strengthening Camden’s park system for the benefit of the city’s residents. She currently manages a $15 million portfolio of park development projects. Sarah has also managed neighborhood planning, roadway reconstruction, preservation, and green infrastructure projects at CFP as well as placemaking and environmental initiatives. Sarah holds a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science from Boston University. She is AICP certified and joined CFP as a project manager in 2010.

Jaime Zaplatosch

Director of Green Schoolyards, Healthy Communities for the Children & Nature Network

Jaime Zaplatosch is the Director of Green Schoolyards for Healthy Communities for the Children & Nature Network. Jaime is leading the Children & Nature Network's goal to support city-wide, equity-based green schoolyard program development across the U.S. She supports cities to build school-district partnerships and creatively create green space to support thriving communities. Jaime has extensive knowledge in the field of urban greening with experience in strategy, partnership building, program development, fundraising, and conservation. She is the former Vice President of Community Engagement and Education at Openlands in Chicago, where launched its green schoolyard program, Space to Grow.

Travis Younkin

Executive Director of Upper Kirby District

Frank Carson, MS

Director of Recreation El Cajon, CA

Joseph Claunch, Ph.D

Director of Zuni Youth Enrichment Project

Joseph Claunch is a member of the Puyallup Tribe in Tacoma, Washington, and graduated with his Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Kansas. Joseph’s research and programming interest have focused on what coaches, teachers and mentors can do to optimize the motivation of Native American youth. Joseph is currently the director of Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and the head varsity football coach at Zuni High School in western New Mexico. Joseph recently led the development of a 3-acre community center and park in the heart of Zuni's main Pueblo village.

Benita Hussain

Director of the 10-Minute Walk Campaign, Trust for Public Land

Benita Hussain is the Director of the 10-Minute Walk Campaign, for which she is leading the strategic direction and broader marketing efforts.  A former corporate lawyer, she has 15 years of experience in sustainability, urban policy, and communications.  As an advisor to Mike Bloomberg in his role as UN Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, she developed his policy agenda and the Global Compact of Mayors, the world’s largest coalition of cities pledged to fight climate change.  Prior, she led late-Boston Mayor Tom Menino’s Greenovate Boston campaign -- a community-based initiative designed to promote climate action and to raise Boston’s profile as a green leader – and launched Boston’s first residential composting program.  She joins TPL from the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she led a $10 million division devoted to climate change, food systems, and sustainable finance.  Benita holds a J.D. from Fordham Law School, and a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Cornell University and has written for Outside Magazine, SIERRA, and the Boston Globe, among others.

Dr. Clement Lau, AICP

Departmental Facilities Planner, Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation

Dr. Clement Lau, AICP, has 20 years of professional experience in urban and regional planning.  Currently, Dr. Lau is a Departmental Facilities Planner with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, where he works on a variety of park planning projects.  He was the project manager on the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, and the Community Parks and Recreation Plans.  He holds a doctorate and master’s in urban planning from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Joe Lovell

GIS Data Administrator, Denver Parks and Recreation

Joe Lovell is the GIS Data Administrator for Denver Parks & Recreation.  Joe has a B.S Degree in Geographic Sciences from James Madison University and over 15 years experience developing spatial databases, performing analysis, and producing cartographic maps.  Joe began working in parks planning in 2008, launching the department’s comprehensive GIS system and advancing the use of data for capital improvement planning.  Joe has recently led projects focusing on the condition of park assets and access to recreation facilities in underserved communities.  As a frequent park user, Joe knows the value parks and open spaces bring to every community.

TJ McCourt

Planning Supervisor, City of Raleigh Parks Department

TJ McCourt (AICP) manages strategic and long-range planning for the City of Raleigh Parks Department. He holds a JD in Environmental & Land-Use Law from the University of Florida as well as a Masters in Urban Planning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. His professional work involves analyzing the City of Raleigh’s open space goals from a systems perspective, exploring how parks and recreation fit into a broader context of city planning, natural resources, social equity, and public health. 

Matt Moffa

Project Manager, The Trust for Public Land

Matt Dixit Moffa is a Project Manager on The Trust for Public Land’s Research and Innovation Team.  Matt works with communities to create plans for parks, trails, and open space.  His work frequently involves convening local stakeholders, community engagement, and survey design.  He is fascinated by the intersection of technical analysis and community input that he encounters in his work. 

Prior to joining The Trust for Public Land, Matt worked for planning firms in California and New Mexico conducting community engagement, GIS analysis, landscape design, and writing planning documents.  Matt holds a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  Between degrees, Matt spent two years serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia, leading projects related to agroforestry, conservation farming, and HIV/AIDS education.

Carlos Perez, PLA

President, Perez Planning + Design LLC

Carlos F. Perez, PLA is the president of Perez Planning + Design, LLC (PP+D), a research-based planning and design firm in Atlanta, Georgia that specializes in Parks and Recreation System Planning + Design and Active-Transportation Planning + Design. Carlos has consulted with over 50 municipalities throughout the United States. He also speaks regularly at conferences sharing his experience. Carlos received a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida, a Master’s in City and Regional Planning, and a Master’s of Science in Architecture with a Concentration in Urban Design from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Rosie Santos

Parks and Recreation Manager, City of Covington, Kentucky

Rosie Santos has 10 years of experience in environmental education and community programming. In her more recent position as the Parks and Recreation Manager for the city of Covington, Kentucky, she oversees recreation services, as well as park and trail planning and development. In collaboration with a citizen advisory group and other partners, she developed an innovative process for redeveloping neighborhood parks throughout the city. 

Koboi Simpson

Atheletics Administrator, Clayton County (Georgia) Parks and Recreation

Koboi Simpson is the Athletics Administrator for the Clayton County Parks & Recreation Department, in Clayton County, Georgia, where he manages youth sports operations and supervises the county's college internship program. He serves on the NRPA Conference Programming Committee, and he is a frequent speaker at several state and national conferences, delivering presentations on best practices in youth sports. Koboi is a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving on NRPA’s Equity Advisory Panel. Koboi is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and a Certified Youth Sports Administrator.

Harris Solomon

Campaign Lead, The Trust for Public Land

Harris Solomon serves as The Trust for Public Land’s campaign lead, overseeing campaign communications strategy, city outreach, and the development of new program areas, ensuring effective implementation and day-to-day operations for the 10-Minute Walk Campaign. He previously served as the 10-Minute Walk Campaign Manager, and has held prior positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York.

Bridget Stesney

Senior Director, Content: Urban Land Institute

Bridget Stesney recently joined ULI as Senior Director, Content and is leading ULI’s effort on the Ten-Minute Walk Campaign.   Bridget joins ULI after ten years working in the public sector for the District of Columbia for DC Public School and DC Parks + Recreation.  During her time in DC government, she led the development of the long-term planning and capital investment strategies for parks, recreation centers, and public schools.  Prior to that, Bridget worked for non-profits focused on smart growth and brownfields redevelopment.   

Jenny Cox

Conservation Program Manager, National Recreation and Park Association

Jenny Cox is a Conservation Program Manager at the NRPA overseeing the Parks and Green Infrastructure for Health initiative and the Great Urban Parks Campaign grant program. Jenny holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is passionate about the connection between parks, the environment and community health.

Bobby Cochran

Partner for Community Resilience, Willamette Partnership

Bobby Cochran is the Partner for Community Resilience at Willamette Partnership, a conservation non-profit dedicated to solving complex environmental problems in ways that work for people. He loves innovating at the intersections of finance, policy, health equity, and environment. Bobby is also a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader and received a Ph.D./M.A. in Urban Studies/Conflict Resolution from Portland State University.

Jenny Cox

Conservation Program Manager, National Recreation and Park Association

Jenny Cox is a Conservation Program Manager at the NRPA overseeing the Parks and Green Infrastructure for Health initiative and the Great Urban Parks Campaign grant program. Jenny holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is passionate about the connection between parks, the environment and community health.

Beth Jacob

Bluestocking Strategy

Beth Jacob is a communications and campaign strategy ninja, with a strong history working with progressive non-profits and philanthropy.

Neelay Bhatt

Vice President, PROS Consulting, LLC

Neelay’s career on five continents includes Disney, The Super Bowl, The Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games and a curating, coaching and presenting multiple TED workshops and TEDx talks. He has keynoted globally from USA to China, Europe and New Zealand. As the VP at PROS Consulting INC., he has led 125+ strategic / master planning, sports facility development projects globally.

Jenny Cox

Conservation Program Manager, National Recreation and Park Association

Jenny Cox is a Conservation Program Manager at the NRPA overseeing the Parks and Green Infrastructure for Health initiative and the Great Urban Parks Campaign grant program. Jenny holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is passionate about the connection between parks, the environment and community health.

Barton Robison

Director of the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative, Willamette Partnership

Barton (he/him) knows firsthand the healing powers of nature and is passionate about removing access barriers so that all Oregonians can know the benefits of time in green space. He’s the Director of the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative at Willamette Partnership, and his strengths include facilitation, strategy development, and communications. He received his Master of Public Administration degree with a focus in natural resource management from Portland State University.

​Rebecca Rehr

Director, Climate for Health program; ecoAmerica

Rebecca Rehr is the Director of the Climate for Health program at ecoAmerica, where she works to build public support and political will for climate solutions. She previously worked in state-level environmental health advocacy, managing a portfolio that included pesticide use, lead poisoning, and fracking, while facilitating multidisciplinary collaboratives on environmental justice and natural gas infrastructure. Rebecca also served a two-year fellowship in the Office of Children’s Health Protection at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies & Public Policy from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master of Public Health with a focus on environmental health from the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Kristine Stratton

President & Chief Executive Officer, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

In her role, Stratton leads the national organization that works to ensure all people have access to parks for health, conservation and recreation. NRPA is the national voice for the protection and creation of local parks, harnessing the passion and power of its more than 60,000 members and the millions of individuals they serve.

NRPA partners with foundations, federal agencies and corporations that recognize the critical role of parks in creating healthy and sustainable communities. The organization grants millions of dollars each year to its members to implement programs that have measurable objectives, such as increasing equitable park access, reducing obesity, increasing physical activity, saving wildlife, connecting children to nature and implementing green infrastructure in communities nationwide. Access to quality parks and recreation is a critical component to an individual’s success and to strong communities, and NRPA focuses on underserved communities to give everyone access to a great park.

A staunch advocate for environmental conservation and equity issues, Stratton believes strongly in NRPA’s mission. Before coming to NRPA, Stratton was the senior vice president of operations at Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest organization dedicated to litigating environmental issues. Prior to that, she served as the executive director of Waterkeeper Alliance in New York, New York, and before that she was vice president of operations at the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts. She also served in several administrative and senior management roles at WGBH Educational Foundation, a public broadcasting station, in Boston, Massachusetts. Stratton holds a Master of Arts degree in environmental policy and planning from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Boston University.

Jesús Aguirre

Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation

Jesús Aguirre has served as the Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation since June 2015. Aguirre began his career as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles in the 1990s and most recently, served as the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. Prior to that role, Aguirre served as the director of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation. Aguirre is a proud father of three children attending public schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the WP Carey School of Business at the Arizona State University.

Allegra "Happy" Haynes

Executive Director, Denver Parks

Allegra “Happy” Haynes has served since 2015 as the Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation and was also appointed in 2017 and 2019 to serve as the Deputy Mayor.  Happy was twice elected and served from 2011 – 2019 as an at-large member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education following six years as the District’s Chief Community Engagement Officer.  Happy is a Denver native, attended Denver East High School and received a BA in Political Science from Barnard College at Columbia University and an MPA from the University of Colorado at Denver. 

During a 40-year career in state and local government, Happy served thirteen years on the Denver City Council from 1990 – 2003 and was president from 1998 - 2000.  She serves on several non-profit boards including the Colorado Trust for Public Land, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Botanic Gardens and is a member of the Denver Chapter of Links INC. She was a founding board member of Mile High Youth Corps, Colorado Black Women for Political Action and the Foundation for Education Excellence. Happy is single, an avid jazz fan and loves gardening, sports and outdoor activities.

Greg A. Weitzel

Director, Las Vegas Parks and Recreation

Greg A. Weitzel is the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Weitzel previously served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho since 2012. In Idaho, his agency received multiple awards for innovative programming and outstanding facilities and park development from several organizations. Prior to his appointment in Idaho, Mr. Weitzel was the Director of Parks and Recreation in the urban environment for the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania located between Philadelphia and New York City. His work in Pennsylvania was highlighted by earning the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Intergovernmental Cooperation and several Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Programming, Park Development and Professional of the Year awards. Mr. Weitzel currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Recreation and Park Association, an industry peer nominated position, where he leads the Public Policy Committee. An invited member of the White House Conference on America’s Great Outdoors, Mr. Weitzel has significant experience addressing urban issues and working closely with federal, state and local elected officials. Mr. Weitzel is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and earned a Master’s Degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Park Management, Community and Therapeutic Recreation from the Pennsylvania State University, where he was also recognized with the Emerging Professional of the Year Award from the College of Health and Human Development. Mr. Weitzel has also helped to secure more than $1 million dollars for international humanitarian aid and lead teams to build one of the first playgrounds in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and assisted in securing and building more than 40 other playgrounds in several third world countries as an ambassador for the non-profit organization, Kids Around the World. Weitzel has been married for more than twenty years to his wife Jennie and has two teenage daughters, Virginia and Ashley and enjoys hunting, fishing, mountain biking and playing guitar.

Michael Kelly

General Superintendent & CEO, Chicago Park District

Serving as Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO since 2011, Kelly is responsible for a $487 million urban park system that serves all 77 of Chicago’s neighborhoods, with more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, more than 50 nature areas, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons and more than 8,800 acres of parkland, as well as historic Soldier Field. Superintendent Kelly is a passionate supporter of open space and improving the quality of life for Chicago residents through parks and recreation opportunities.  He measures success by the number of children served, and under his direction the Chicago Park District has seen exponential growth in registrations for award winning programs such as “Learn to Swim,” summer day camp, gymnastics and programming for young residents with special needs.

Kelly oversaw the development and completion of signature capital projects – including the creation of Maggie Daley Park, the renovation of Theater on the Lake and the Lakefront Trail Separation project. Last year, through a partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, the Park District opened a one-of-a-kind new fieldhouse at Williams Park on the South Side.  Current projects include the world-class indoor track and field facility at Gately Park, as well as a state of the art indoor recreation center on the near west side at Addams Park. Superintendent Kelly also has led the acquisition of more than 1,000 acres of parkland, along with the building and renovation of nearly 400 playgrounds. Under Kelly’s leadership, the Chicago Park District has earned various awards and recognitions including the 2014 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and two successive accreditations by the NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). He serves on the NRPRA’s board of directors and was recently elected chair of the organization’s board starting in 2020 – the first Chicago Park District chief to be selected for the position.  The NRPA provides frameworks for recreation agencies throughout the country to measure their performance. 

A native Chicagoan, born and raised on the city’s South Side, Kelly earned a JD from the DePaul College of Law in Chicago, and a BA in Political Science from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.  He is married, and the father of four children.  Kelly and his family reside in the West Morgan Park community of Chicago.