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Team & Board

What began as a small group of neighbors united by their love of parks has grown into a vibrant, community-driven organization. Today, we’re powered by a skilled staff team, an expanding summer Youth Green Team, and a remarkable network of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy every year.

Our Team

Man with a beard smiling and wearing a checkered shirt and a green cap, stands outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.
Stacy Bare
Executive Director

Favorite park: Richmond
Favorite tree: Tulip Tree
Favorite trail: Richmond

A bearded man with a bald head is smiling while wearing a white shirt. He stands outdoors in a lush green setting with trees in the background. The weather appears sunny and pleasant.
Lauren Davis
Director of Programs

Favorite Park: Huff Park
Favorite Tree: Dawn Redwood
Favorite Trail: Ball Perkins

A person with curly red hair smiles at the camera. They are wearing a black top and a necklace with a leaf pendant. The background features green, blurred foliage.
Becky Pobst
Director of Forestry

Favorite park: Huff Park
Favorite tree: American Elm
Favorite Trail: Riverside

Smiling person with curly, shoulder-length red hair and a nose ring, wearing a black top and layered necklaces, stands in front of a blurred outdoor background with green foliage.
Keely Moriarty
Parks Program Manager

Favorite Park: Ken-O-Sha
Favorite Tree: Paper Birch
Favorite Trail: Ken-O-Sha

Smiling person with long, wavy hair wearing a red cardigan over a dark shirt. They are standing outdoors with a blurred background of yellow flowers and greenery.
Gaby Pineda
Community Forester

Favorite Park: MLK Park
Favorite Tree: Burr Oak
Favorite Trail: Crahen Valley Park

Person with long dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a cap, glasses, and a brown plaid scarf over a black sweater. They are smiling in front of a blurred background of autumn leaves.
Liam McCarthy
Community Forester

Favorite Park: Wilcox
Favorite Tree: Ginkgo/Dogwood
Favorite Trail: Provin

A person with glasses and a big smile stands outdoors in a natural setting. They have short, light brown hair and wear a light purple shirt with a colorful necklace. The background is blurred, showing some greenery and autumn colors.
Evie Džomba
Communications Manager

Favorite park: Huff
Favorite tree: RedBud
Favorite trail: Riverside

A person with curly hair, wearing glasses and a floral top with dark suspenders, is smiling outdoors against a backdrop of trees with autumn foliage.
Lauren Vermilye
Administrator

Favorite Park: Riverside
Favorite Tree: Weeping Willow
Favorite Trail: Huff Park’s boardwalk

Board of Directors

Victor Holt
Board President

Fifth Third Bank

Richard App
Board Vice President

Grand Rapids Chamber

Mary Williams
Treasurer

BDO

Susan Clark
Secretary

Trauma Informed Philanthropy

Sara Acker
At Large

Ludus

Molly Cook

Corewell

Gail Gunst Heffner

Calvin University Emeritus

John McCrackin
Lauren Parker

Varnum LLP

Evette Pittman

City of Grand Rapids, Office of Special Events

Danielle Poma

Kellogg

Eddie Tadlock

ASM Global

Rachael Wingo

Invirsa

City Liasons

David Marquardt
Director

City of Grand Rapids, Parks & Recreation

Kelsey Perdue
3rd Ward City Commissioner

City of Grand Rapids

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Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is a federally recognized 501c3 non-profit organization. EIN 26-1406547

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