Dear PPF Community,
We are excited to announce Jessica Green as PPF's next executive director! Jessica is an ardent parks advocate with deep relationships in the city and parks community, a seven-year veteran of the organization, and our former deputy director.
Jessica joined PPF in 2017. During her time here, she has proven herself as a steady leader of PPF operations, governance and finance. Through collaborative partnerships Jessica envisioned and inaugurated PPF’s Friends & Allies initiatives that continue to deepen PPF’s connection to emerging and seasoned leaders in our community. Her commitment to bringing meaningful resources to our community partners has led to raising the profile of our Small Grants Program and increasing our reach and diversity in giving. Additionally, she has played key roles in many of our major projects including the Barbara Walker Crossing campaign, downtown-centered Summer Paseo Festivals, and the Rose City Park Playground replacement project.
"Our organization and community of park advocates continue to celebrate the more than 20-year impact we have all made working together for our outdoor and green spaces. In that time, Jessica has been instrumental to move our mission forward and elevate our organizational operations to the professional level that it is today,” says PPF Board chair JR Lilly. “As Jessica moves now to take the helm, we look forward to expanding our broad range of public/private partnerships, and to continue building on our success of reimagining the role parks can play in civic health, especially in historically disadvantaged communities."
"I am honored by this opportunity,” says Green. “PPF has a dedicated team of staff and board members who are passionate advocates for helping people help parks. I look forward to leading PPF’s efforts to help our city live up to the challenge of a parks system that is inclusive to all communities.”
Jessica studied geology at Hamilton College and environmental policy at Lewis and Clark Law School. An accomplished runner, Green partners with The Michael J. Fox Foundation's endurance arm, Team Fox, to provide nationwide year-round coaching services to all of Team Fox's long distance athletes. She’s also the board chair at Friends of Tryon Creek, and a proud mom of three young children who love to explore our city’s parks.
"I am thrilled to congratulate Jessica Green on her appointment as the executive director of the Portland Parks Foundation,” says Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan. “With her extensive experience and deep commitment to our parks and community, Jessica is well-poised to lead the foundation. Her proven leadership during her tenure as deputy director and interim executive director demonstrates her capability to steer the organization toward continued success. I am confident that the Portland Parks Foundation will thrive under Jessica's guidance."
Considering Jessica’s leadership over the last several years, her commitment to advancing PPF’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion values within PPF’s operations and programs, and her strong relationships to the parks community, PPF’s board of directors is excited to welcome Jessica Green as the next executive director of the Portland Parks Foundation.
In partnership,
Portland Parks Foundation Board of Directors