Executive Director, Friends of the Wissahickon

The Wissahickon Valley Park, now a centerpiece for recreation for surrounding communities and the Greater Philadelphia area, is a 2,000+ acre park with dense forests, rugged trails, and free-flowing streams. Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) has stewarded this essential urban green space for 100 years and has become the largest park friends group in Philadelphia, with a network of 3,000 members, 2,200+ unique volunteers, and dozens of corporate and civic partners who value their stewardship mission.

FOW’s Mission

To conserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein.

FOW’s Vision

An urban oasis that promotes recreation, conservation, and the enjoyment of park history.

FOW works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), the Philadelphia Water Department, and dozens of other regional partners on a wide range of programs. Guided by its 2023 Strategic Blueprint, FOW is committed to conserving Wissahickon Valley Park through advancing three areas of strategic priority: infrastructure, habitat, and engagement.

Infrastructure:

Capital Projects

Friends of the Wissahickon plans, funds, and oversees trail construction, habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvement projects to increase access and sustainability throughout Wissahickon Valley Park. Ongoing or recently completed capital projects include trail restorations, stormwater management projects, the Valley Green Road Pedestrian Bridge to improve access to the much-used park gateway, and the Restroom Master Plan to expand restroom facilities in the park for the public.

Sustainable Trails Initiative

Active since 2006, the Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI) is a multi-year campaign to create a sustainable trail network that limits erosion and protects the fragile forest habitat while enhancing recreational experiences throughout the park. Recent projects include the “Monster” section of the yellow trail and Quarry Loop trail projects.

Conservation Planning

Friends of the Wissahickon plans for the proper management of the park’s resources by leading and participating in planning efforts designed to prioritize conservation actions. FOW has led and participated in various local and regional planning efforts on wayfinding and signage, trail construction, water quality, and forest management.

Habitat:

Ecological Land Management

In 2020, Friends of the Wissahickon completed the Ecological Land Management (ELM) Plan in cooperation with researchers from the Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences, a comprehensive survey of the various ecosystems in Wissahickon Valley Park that will inform future FOW habitat restoration projects. Data collection gaps in the ELM Plan will be addressed in the future by volunteer habitat monitoring efforts.

The Joint Easement Program

Jointly managed by Friends of the Wissahickon and the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, the program provides a means for landowners to mandate preservation of historic structures and/or conservation of open spaces on their property to maintain historic and environmental benefits of the areas surrounding the Wissahickon Valley Park.

Engagement:

Volunteering

Friends of the Wissahickon supports a wide variety of volunteer programming and training opportunities. FOW volunteers rebuild trails, plant trees, remove vines, eliminate invasive plants and replace them with native species, clean up trash and debris, remove graffiti, control erosion, and repair structures; additionally, FOW offers annual trainings to volunteers specializing in education, trail construction, and repairing historic park structures.

Environmental Education

Friends of the Wissahickon hosts free public lectures, guided walks, special events, and installs interpretive signage in the park to educate the public about important current environmental topics. FOW additionally partners with the Wissahickon Environmental Center, Let’s Go Outdoors, and the Philadelphia School District on the Little Friends of the Wissahickon Program which connects thousands of K-2nd graders in Philadelphia’s public school system each year to the Wissahickon Park with in-class education and field trips to the park. Friends of the Wissahickon also provides hands-on internship programs for Philadelphia high schoolers. The Junior Stewards Program offers a variety of land stewardship education opportunities out in the field, including removing invasives, protecting the watershed, sustainable trail building, and more.

Advocacy and Policy Making

Friends of the Wissahickon and their partners work to ensure that local and state policies continue to support FOW’s mission and longstanding commitment to environmental protection.

DEIJB Statement:

The Wissahickon Valley Park is a place in nature for all who seek it. The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon is to conserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley Park and stimulate public interest therein. The public interest encompasses all people as part of our service to the Wissahickon Valley Park, with the recognition that Black, Indigenous, communities of color and low-income communities, are disproportionately impacted by systemic and structural inequalities.

FOW is committed, both within the organization and the Park, to:

• Diversity: Welcoming the richness of the many different backgrounds people in our community and park visitors bring. These include but are not limited to cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds, physical abilities, and modes of thought.
• Equity: Providing differential access to our resources to assure that all individuals can enjoy and partake in our park improvements, access, and public programming.
• Inclusion: Collaborating with individuals, groups, and organizations to inform processes, activities, and policies that are part of our shared service to the Park and the public.
• Justice: Ensuring and expanding access to the Park with an understanding that some communities and people often are excluded from the benefits of nature.
• Belonging: Developing a culture where individuals, groups, and organizations feel welcomed and a part of FOW and the Wissahickon.

For additional information visit: https://fow.org

Overview of the Role:

Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. This individual will be a seasoned, mission-driven leader with a deep commitment to community, public space stewardship, and collaborative partnerships. The Executive Director will be responsible for guiding FOW’s strategic direction and overseeing its daily operations, programs, partnerships, staff, and volunteers, and ensuring the organization remains financially sustainable, programmatically effective, and aligned with its mission to preserve the Wissahickon Valley.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in nonprofit leadership, organizational management, and a track record of successful fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to work across public, private, and civic sectors. A skilled communicator and relationship builder, the Executive Director will serve as the public face of FOW, fostering meaningful engagement with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, funders, sponsors, city officials, and community partners.

Reporting to the Board of Directors through the Board President, the Executive Director will lead a high-performing team of 12+ employees, ensuring alignment between strategic priorities and day-to-day operations, and advancing FOW’s commitment to DEI, sustainability, and community access.

Executive Director Objectives:

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for all aspects of FOW’s operations, programs, and partnerships.
• Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies in collaboration with the Board and development consultants to secure philanthropic, government, and earned income support.
• Foster an inclusive, dedicated, and high-performing organizational culture that attracts, retains, and supports a diverse team of professionals and volunteers.
• Represent FOW in the public sphere, building brand awareness, credibility, and engagement among stakeholders, media, and civic leaders.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations in alignment with long-term strategic priorities.
• Set and monitor organizational goals and performance metrics with staff and Board input.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a skilled and diverse team; provide coaching, professional development, and performance feedback.
• Foster a workplace culture that prioritizes equity, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability among staff and volunteers.

Fiscal Oversight and Fund Development

• Maintain sound fiscal management and financial integrity through effective budgeting, reporting, and compliance practices.
• Ensure long term financial health of the organization.
• Drive fundraising efforts by identifying and soliciting individual donors, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government funding.
• Cultivate and steward donor relationships, ensuring alignment between funding opportunities and organizational priorities.
• Develop earned income opportunities where appropriate.

Government and Partner Relations

• Serve as FOW’s principal liaison to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department and elected officials across local and state government.
• Manage public-private partnership agreements and ensure productive collaboration with city agencies.
• Advocate for park funding, policy priorities, and initiatives that support FOW’s mission and constituents.
• Build new and foster existing relationships with similarly aligned organizations at the regional and state levels.

Strategic Vision and Planning

• Partner with the FOW Board and stakeholders to set policy, priorities and organizational goals.
• Work with stakeholders to identify, shape and garner support for park improvements and programs.
• Ensure alignment among strategy, programs, and organizational capacity.

Board Engagement and Governance

• Provide clear, timely, and consistent communication to the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate on Board development, recruitment, and succession planning.
• Support Board committees and implement Board policies and procedures.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build authentic relationships with community members, partner organizations, and civic leaders across Philadelphia.
• Represent FOW in public forums, conferences, and media to advance awareness of the Wissahickon’s value and FOW’s role in its preservation.
• Engage new audiences and champion access, equity, and inclusivity in Park programming and use.

Key Experience and Skill Set:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience within the nonprofit, public, or environmental sector.
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success.
• A track record of championing and managing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs within an organization.
• Proven experience managing capital projects.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships and engaging diverse audiences.
• Experience leading and managing within a volunteer driven organization.
• Strong financial acumen and experience with nonprofit budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing, mission-aligned teams.
• Experience working successfully with boards of directors.
• An effective communicator with exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills.
• A working knowledge of conservation, urban parks management, or environmental education strongly preferred.
• Government relations or public affairs experience a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a related field preferred.

Key Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates a personal and professional commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Possesses a collaborative, team-oriented leadership style that prioritizes shared success.
• Brings authentic passion for FOW’s mission and the stewardship of the Wissahickon Valley.
• Builds strong, trusting relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Fosters consensus among groups with diverse interests and perspectives.
• Adapts nimbly to change and remains effective in dynamic environments.
• Listens actively and communicates with clarity, empathy, and respect.
• Leads with self-motivation, a hands-on approach, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Nominations and Applications: Nominations and applications, including resume and cover letter, should be directed to Courtney Disston at: cdisston@disstonsearch.com.