Staff

Staff

Julie Crockford, President


 Julie Crockford is responsible for all day-to-day operations, long- range planning and the fiscal health and well-being of the conservancy. She works with the board and staff to develop the budget, expand fundraising efforts, create programming and design strategies to further the organization’s mission to protect, restore and maintain parks of the Emerald Necklace designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Prior to joining the conservancy more than five years ago, she served as director of external affairs at the Museum of African American History; deputy director of the Boston History Collaborative; and executive director of the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy. Crockford received a BA from George Washington University in psychology. jcrockford@emeraldnecklace.org

Brittany Dunn, Youth Program Coordinator

Brittany Dunn organizes and leads two youth programs, the Green Team and the Youth Leadership Program. She develops curriculum and leads work projects with the teen-aged crews in collaboration with the conservancy’s public partners. Prior to joining the conservancy, Dunn led a farm education program at Land’s Sake in Weston, MA. She has a BA from the University of Vermont where she studied environmental education and community development. bdunn@emeraldnecklace.org

Mary Hickie, Project Manager

Architect Mary Hickie joined the conservancy after serving for two years as a volunteer. Currently, she oversees the restoration of 1930 fountain in the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden underwritten by the conservancy’s Justine Mee Liff Fund. In addition, she serves on the conservancy’s project review committee which analyzes proposed new development on the necklace for potential impacts. She is also responsible for coordinating advocacy efforts for the Park Overseers with a focus on improving access to the parks. Hickie is a registered architect in Massachusetts.
 mhickie@emeraldnecklace.org

Susan Knight, Director of Development

Susan Knight oversees all development initiatives at the conservancy including the annual fund, foundation grants, donor cultivation and corporate underwriting. She coordinates efforts with the conservancy’s president and its board of directors and works with volunteers on the annual Justine Mee Liff Fund’s Party in the Park, a major fundraising event. Prior to joining the conservancy, Knight served as executive director at The Family Center of Greater Peterborough, in Peterborough, NH. She received her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MEd from Harvard University.
 sknight@emeraldnecklace.org

Jeanine Knox, Director of External Relations

Jeanine Knox is responsible for conservancy communications, visitor services and public education. In addition to overseeing newsletters and publications, she develops and administers programs and materials that enrich the visitor experience including tours, presentations, docent training, events, and exhibits. Prior to joining the conservancy, Knox worked in both the public and private sectors as an educator and marketing director. She received her BA from Boston University and her MEd from Bridgewater University. jeanine@emeraldnecklace.org

Jillian Levine, Development Assistant

Jillian Levine assists the Director of Development with all aspect of fundraising including database management, donor relations, board support, events and executive assistance to the president. Prior to joining the conservancy, she served as the public relations assistant at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts and worked in fundraising for the AIDS Action Committee. Levine has a BFA and an MS in arts administration from Boston University where she received a certificate in fundraising management for completing work at the New Repertory Theater in Watertown, MA. jlevine@emeraldnecklace.org

Ray Oladapo-Johnson, Senior Project Manager

Ray Oladapo-Johnson is responsible for parks projects and operations. Prior to joining the conservancy, he was a curator at the Wildlife Conservation Society, responsible for the horticulture, maintenance, and exhibit design for the Central Park Zoo and the Bronx Zoo. He also worked as a project manager for URS, a private construction management corporation under contract to the City of New York Parks and Recreation Department. roladapo-johnson@emeraldnecklace.org

Jessica Parsons, Circle The City Project Manager

Jessica Parsons is the project manager of Circle The City, Boston’s first Open Streets initiative that invites people to walk, bike, roll, skate and dance on safe, car-free streets connecting Boston parks. Prior to joining the conservancy, she worked as a teacher and manager of environmental education programs in Massachusetts and California. A board member of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society, Parsons received her BA from Bates College and an EdM from Harvard University. jessica@emeraldnecklace.org

John Smith, Accountant

John Smith is responsible for finances, payroll and human resources. He has experience with non-profit organizations in the Boston area. Smith has a BS from Cornell University and a MBA from Boston University School of Management. jbsmith@emeraldnecklace.org