Using NRPA’s Resources to Promote Parks and Recreation

Kevin A. Roth serves as NRPA's Vice President of Research, Evaluation & Technology. Roth leads the research team in its mission to create valuable data and metrics that enhance park and recreation agency performance and make the case for increased and more stable agency funding. He also oversees the team delivering IT and web services to the association. 

Roth has served in research and leadership functions in the nonprofit association space for more than two decades, including overseeing both research and IT at the Association for Financial Professionals for 13 years and conducting survey research at the National Association of Realtors for four years. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from George Washington University and a BA in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Melissa came to the NRPA Research team in 2015 with a background in environmental planning, GIS, and government contracting. At NRPA, Melissa helps with producing member surveys and reports, as well as, creating Tableau interactive graphics and ArcGIS StoryMaps. Additionally, Melissa leads work related to NRPA Park Metrics, Facility Market Reports and Park Pulse.

Dianne Palladino (she/her) is NRPA’s Director of Evaluation. Dianne oversees evaluation activities and strategy at NRPA, and she is dedicated to developing training and resources for park and recreation professionals that will assist with effective, low-cost evaluation efforts in the field. Dianne has over 17 years of research and/or evaluation experience and leadership and additional experience in several diverse fields. She holds undergraduate degrees from Clarkson University and Georgia Institute of Technology, and she earned her Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University.

Karen Carter joined NRPA in April 2021, bringing with her extensive association and library experience and a passion for connecting people with the information they need to do their jobs effectively. Prior to joining the NRPA team, Karen held information services positions with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the International Monetary Fund, the American Psychological Association, and the National Agricultural Library.  Karen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Houston and a Masters of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University. She is excited for the opportunity to learn from and serve the parks and recreation community.