Paving the Path: The Role of Trail Funding in Parks & Rec

Elle Segal is RTC’s Advocacy Outreach Director, where she works on federal policy, advocacy, and community engagement. She lives and works in Washington, D.C. and when she isn’t working, she enjoys hiking, traveling and watching “so bad they are good” movies. Elle Segal comes to Rails to Trails after working for more than eight years in community outreach, relationship management and advocacy. Previous employers for Elle include J Street, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area (JCRC) and the University of California. At J Street and the JCRC, Elle managed and developed relationships with nonprofits, donors and candidates, as well as federal, state and local elected officials. At the University of California, Elle oversaw and executed the inaugural UC National Public Service Law Conference, which took place at UCLA and focused on modern civil rights challenges.

Elle’s love of hiking grew immensely during her nearly 10 years living and working in the Bay Area, where she frequented trails from across the region for recreational use as well as transportation. She and her fiancé also love traveling to National Parks to hike and have been to nearly 20 parks. When she isn’t working, Elle can be found discovering new restaurants, watching movies, volunteering or traveling. She earned her Bachelor of the Arts from UC Davis and her Master of Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco.

Kaitlyn Brodie, Government Affairs Manager at NRPA, brings a rich blend of classroom experience, policy expertise, and federal advocacy to her role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Charleston in South Carolina and a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from American University in Washington, D.C. Kaitlyn taught pre-K through second grade for five years before transitioning into policy work to help strengthen communities and the schools within them. She has served on Capitol Hill for a Member of Congress, covering education, labor, and women’s issues, and has supported congressional campaigns during her summers away from teaching. Since joining NRPA in 2024, Kaitlyn has focused on connecting members with federal funding opportunities that advance parks, recreation, and community well-being. She is based in Richmond, Virginia, where she enjoys hiking, camping, and running with her husband and their two cattle dogs.