Jennifer Hance, CPRP, has been the Community Engagement Coordinator with Greensboro Parks and Recreation since 2019. She has worked with Greensboro Parks and Recreation since 2007 as Director of The Music Center with City Arts. She has a Master in Public Affairs and Bachelors in Music Education and Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Jennifer is a member of the National and North Carolina Recreation and Parks Associations. 

Elizabeth Jernigan, AICP, has been a planner with Greensboro Parks and Recreation since 2018.  She has 12+ years of experience in long-range and strategic planning efforts related to recreation, transportation, environmental, and food systems. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and English from Appalachian State University, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  Elizabeth is active in the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association and when she's not busy planning trails and greenways, she can be found hiking, swimming, camping, biking, and building forts in the backyard with her husband, two girls, and fur baby. 

Kristen Herndon, CPRE, is a 2021 Young Professional Fellowship recipient and a AAPRA Externship recipient. Kristen is a Facilities  Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Greensboro and holds a Masters in Community Recreation Administration. She enjoys advancing community progress through quality of life, infrastructure and economic development. She is an innovative problem solver who finds that her best accomplishments are a result of non-traditional methods. As a committed public servant with over 10 years of experience, she holds many leadership roles including Chair of Student Outreach for the NRPA Young Professional Network, Chair of Women in Recreation for NCRPA and the U.S. All-American Chair for womens lacrosse for North Carolina.

Chris Bass is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Douglasville, Ga. In this role, Chris oversees the agencies operating budget, facility operations, 18 hole golf course and all planning functions for the department. In addition to leading the Douglasville team to accreditation, Chris serves as the a CAPRA Commissioner as the NRPA representative. For the past four years, Chris has served on the Board of Directors for the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society and various positions with the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. 

Elvis Cordova is the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy for the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).  He leads NRPAs federal policymaking initiatives by providing strategic planning for enhancing community-based advocacy and capacity building programs, and stakeholder engagement aimed at advancing overall health and well-being, equity, and climate readiness. Elvis is a seasoned executive with over a decade of experience developing and implementing innovative solutions for some of the most significant and high-profile challenges facing the U.S. public sector. He has a unique combination of political, legal, economic, and international expertise. He is a proven strategist and manager, adept at building coalitions and communicating effectively to diverse stakeholders. He has built an intimate knowledge of the workings of the U.S. government and has developed strong relationships with a range of policymakers. Elvis was previously appointed by President Barack Obama to serve in various leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including Chief of Staff, Deputy Under Secretary, and Acting Under Secretary. During his tenure at USDA, he oversaw the federal agencies that handled food labeling programs (including organic and biotechnology), international trade regulations, research  educational grant programs, nutrition programs, commodity procurement, plant and animal health regulations, process verification programs, land conservation programs, and the expansion of local and regional food systems. He also served on the White House Task Force for Puerto Rico, where he focused on strengthening public-private partnerships to aid in the economic recovery efforts for the island. He entered the federal government a Presidential Management Fellow and worked for the Farm Credit Administration and at the U.S. Department of Energy where his work encompassed alternative energy, congressional affairs, economic development, financial services, and international relations. 

Outside of the federal government, Elvis served as a consultant for the United Nations where he focused on improving international trade development strategies for emerging markets. He also served as a management analyst for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He began his career as a financial analyst at the Harvard Management Company. Elvis holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. He is a recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Graduate Fellowship and holds various professional certificates from Georgetown University, Harvard University, University of California at Berkeley, Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), cole Nationale des Travaux Publics de ltat (France), and Pontificia Universidade Catolica (Brazil). In his personal time, Elvis works with various national leadership organizations to create and expand opportunities for diverse communities in the Washington, D.C. area. He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Washington D.C. Chapter of Prospanica (fka the National Society of Hispanic MBAs). He has served as a senior advisor for the Aspen Institutes International Career Advancement Program. He is a graduate of several executive-level training programs including Leadership Alexandria and the Political Leaders Program from the Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia. He is an alumnus of Project Interchange, which is an international leadership program of the American Jewish Committee and an alumnus of the Hispanic Leaders Program, a professional development program organized by the Foreign Ministry of Spain.

NRPAs Director of Government Affairs. Kyle has been with NRPA for nearly 4 years. Prior to that he spent over 10 years on Capitol Hill in a variety of roles.

Jai Cole has 22 years of experience in Park and Recreation and is currently the Chief of the Park Planning and Stewardship Division M-NCPPC, Montgomery County Department of Parks. Cole supervises the Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, Trail Planning and Implementation, and Park Planning Sections for the 38,000 acre 6 time NRPA Gold Medal Award winning park system.

Tiff Cunin (they/them) joined the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in October 2020 as a Senior Program Manager on the Health and Wellness Team. Alongside their teammates, Tiff manages the healthy aging portfolio of work at NRPA. As a public health professional, they are passionate about innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to advancing population health. Tiff is committed to social justice and equitable health outcomes, and has dedicated their life to serving historically disenfranchised populations.  Tiff is also a PhD student at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (GW SMHS). Their research is focused on translating knowledge for the effective implementation of community-based public health programs that support healthy aging among transgender and gender non-binary older adults. Tiff is currently a member of a study team at GW SMHS where they are testing the effectiveness of an evidence-based program to support positive health outcomes and enhanced quality of life among caregivers for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias. Additionally, Tiff teaches in the Master of Public Health program at their alma mater, the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Tiff is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to backpack, surf, snowboard, hike, camp and more. Tiff has lived all over the world, but currently calls Silver Spring, MD home where they live with their partner and 2 cat children, Hobie and Sprinkles. Tiff also believes that life is far too short for formal headshots!

Jan Hincapie is a 38-year veteran of the parks and recreation field, working in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin during her career. Jan retired from full-time work in 2015, as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Village of Lincolnwood, Illinois where she served for nine years. During her time as Director, the Village secured $10 million in federal funding, covering 80% of the cost of land acquisition of former railroad land and construction of two bike paths. The agency was also the first municipality in Illinois to go through the Distinguished Agency Accreditation program. Since retirement, Jan has done worked as a consultant and as a part-time employee in the areas of strategic planning, community focus group facilitation, and executive coaching.    In 2014 she served as Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. This was the pinnacle of many years of volunteering for the Wisconsin and Illinois Park and Recreation Associations, National Recreation and Parks Association and numerous other local and regional organizations. Jan was instrumental in initiating the Chicagoland Chapter of Women in Leisure Services (WILS), a branch of the national organization for women working in parks and recreation. Jan received the 2012 and 2015 Illinois Park and Recreation Association Chairman's Award for exemplary service to the Association during her time on the Board. Jan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and served on their Alumni Board and Executive Committee until 2018. She has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops, including the National Recreation and Parks Congress, Athletic Business Conference, and state conferences in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas, and Illinois. On the local level, Jan has donated time to My Best Friends Foundation, has served as Vice-Chair of the Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), is a founding member of the Northbrook Arts Commission, and has served as committee member and Chair of the School District Caucus Committee. Jan lives in Northbrook, Illinois with her husband, Moe, their two children; Faith and Eli and their dogs, Cutie and Haylee. In their spare time, she loves to walk, hike, snowshoe, and bike. In the summer months they boat, fish, and swim at their beloved cottage in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Carrie Fullerton has over 25 years of experience and is the Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District. She is a member of the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration and speaks on a variety of topics at the local, state and national level.   She was also the 2010 Chairman of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Board of Directors.

As a scholar in both the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah State University, Keith engages in meaningful scholarship which is both emancipatory and empowering for disadvantaged populations integration in community life. Keith's research is at the intersection of landscape architecture and disability studies.

Jennie worked in the field of childhood development and exceptional learning for nearly fifteen years. She received her Bachelor's degree in Exceptional Learning and a Masters degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Jennie joined PlayCore in 2008, and works within PlayCores Center for Outreach, Research and Education as the Community Outreach Director,   Jennie has presented at over 300 events on topics surrounding best practices in play and recreation and supporting advocacy efforts that meet the diverse needs of society. Deeply passionate about inclusive, multigenerational play, Jennie utilizes her expertise and personal experiences as a teacher to positively impact the development of innovative play and recreation destinations that focus on community health and wellness.   

Cindy Mendoza's leadership and award-winning expertise in park and recreation planning is a catalyst for community livability across the nation. As MIGs Director of Parks and Recreation Planning, she had guided cities, districts, counties and non-profits in creating inclusive, action-oriented master plans and strategic plans for parks, recreation facilities, trails and open space. Cindy brings nearly 25 years of experience and expertise in community engagement, facilitation, needs assessments, and policy and standards development. She holds an M.A. in Geography from the University of Oregon, where she completed her thesis on homelessness in parks. An authority on park and recreation trends and innovations, Cindy is an invited speaker at national/international conferences, a former SCORP University instructor, and published author of a textbook chapter and several articles on public involvement, parks and trails planning, diversity, inclusion, and park access.

Craig is a Principal and Partner of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture and a frequent speaker and author in the recreation design industry. For 27 years, he has worked with recreation professionals to design value-driven projects that solve problems, create opportunities and build community. Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture has been involved in more than 300 community recreation projects across the country, providing feasibility studies, conceptual designs and award-winning architectural and interior design services.

Jason is a Renaissance man - a quiet North Dakota cowboy. For the last 11 years, he has been working on recreation projects paying close attention to the day-to-day details involved with putting together a good set of drawings, collaborating with engineers and coordinating with contractors. Jason can also ride a horse, bag an elk and tell a lame joke.

Liana has been a Naturalist for six years with Anne Arundel County Recreation  Parks the recipient of the Jan Hollman Environmental Educator Award. Prior, she designed environmental education curriculum for international wildlife conservation nonprofit Wildscreen. She is a regular speaker for the Smithsonian Associates Earth Optimism series and has presented at over two dozen conferences.

Ranger Dave has been with Anne Arundel County Parks Department for 14 years. He specializes in research, programming and husbandry. He graduated from Catawba College Center for the Environment in 2004. He works with his colleagues and outside groups to bring a variety of programs to our county. He has 22 years of speaking experience at all levels of education from preschool to professors.

Victor Jones has been a Park Ranger with Anne Arundel County, MD for four years. During the time of the Covid-19 pandemic Victor was asked to assist with creating and launching an online web series for the county to reach those unable to visit the parks in person. This project rekindled a past love of filmmaking and produced an ongoing county digital series called 'Ask a Ranger'.