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Regional public agency’s Board of Directors to launch national search for replacement
After a significant career in public service and a tenacious 15-years at the helm of Great Rivers Greenway, Susan Trautman will serve as CEO for nine more months until May 2025. The transition will happen during the 25th anniversary of the vote of the people that created the agency, which has since built (with partners and communities) 135 miles of paved, accessible greenway trails with hundreds of destinations, amenities, new special places and conservation projects along the way.
“Susan’s unwavering commitment to regionalism and delivering high-quality and meaningful projects to our community members is a point of pride for our whole region,” said Monica Huddleston, current Board President. “Her leadership changed the game; she elevated the organization year after year, building a team of highly professional staff, efficient systems and a culture of innovation to push for the highest possible impact for the people we serve.”
Trautman joined the organization as its second leader in 2010 and oversaw transformational growth of the depth and breadth of the agency. During her tenure, Great Rivers Greenway doubled their number of miles of greenway trail (from 68 to 135) as well as added several destination park projects. Trautman was a key champion in the 6-agency public-private partnership to plan and implement the CityArchRiver project, reimagining of the Gateway Arch National Park and surrounding areas. Through that project, she navigated the agency and project through a second tax levy, Proposition P, in 2013, which contributed funds to the CityArchRiver project as well as additional greenway and park projects in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. She led the organization through the addition of new departments to promote and sustain the greenways, while developing a 501(c)3 nonprofit Foundation to solicit and steward private donations to the same cause, collecting more than $50 million to date. Trautman successfully leveraged approximately $110 million to date of outside funding sources from federal or state grants, ensuring that residents’ tax contributions are used to their maximum potential. Project highlights include public-private partnerships Trojan Park and Chain of Rocks Park, along the St. Vincent and Mississippi Greenways, respectively. The agency’s latest ambitious project is Brickline Greenway, a bold vision to connect 14 city neighborhoods and four anchor parks with 10 miles of greenway, infused with public art, trees and plants, and inclusive economic development.
“The people’s vision for a vibrant region connected with greenways has never been stronger; this is an opportunity for a new leader to bring energy and insight to the strength and momentum we have in our 25th year,” said Trautman. “It has been a true honor to deliver on a mission this powerful and dynamic. I am incredibly grateful to our remarkable Board of Directors, who are consistently thoughtful, strategic, and regional in their approach, to our passionate and competent staff who do what’s right, to our dedicated and collaborative partners who make this possible, and to our amazing community members, who guide our efforts, hold us accountable and for whom we do this work. I am especially excited for the visionary leaders involved in the Brickline Greenway to bring that project fully to life in 2030.”
“Bringing the St. Louis region together to advance a big, ambitious idea like the Brickline Greenway takes a unique talent, and Susan Trautman has led this work in the spirit of collaboration and with vision, tireless commitment, and grace. I’ve seen this first-hand working with Susan for nearly a decade now. Susan’s stewardship of GRG more broadly has also been transformational, and she has left an enduring legacy that will serve as the strong foundation her successor can build upon,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “Susan is also a friend, and I’m excited for her to enjoy the next chapter after her distinguished career of service to St. Louis.”
“Susan’s incredible dedication and civic leadership has been truly instrumental in growing the impact of Great Rivers Greenway and strengthening our region the past 15 years,” said Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones. “Her impact and commitment will continue to advance transformative projects like the Brickline Greenway, connecting the people and visitors of St. Louis to outdoor spaces and spurring tremendous economic growth.”
The search for Trautman’s replacement will begin in the next month. The Great Rivers Greenway Board of Directors is working with consultants to support the search for candidates who have executive leadership experience with managing private and public funding streams, building relationships with elected leaders and donors, board management, operations and talent oversight, and strategic problem-solving. Like all roles, the position will be posted online. Anyone can subscribe for email alerts when jobs are posted.
“Given Susan’s generous timeline, we look forward to a robust search finding the right candidate to continue the level of excellence she has established for her role, the staff, and the overall operations throughout the 3-county, 120-town region we’re connecting together,” said Dr. Bernard DuBray, Board Vice President and head of the search committee. “We thank her for her commendable work and wish her all the best in her retirement – she’ll surely be riding her bike on the greenways even more now!”
Trautman’s career highlights include serving as Director of Parks and Recreation at both Des Peres and Clayton, as Planner/Principal at SWT Design, and championing capital projects like the Lodge at Des Peres or Center of Clayton before embarking on her journey at Great Rivers Greenway. Key accomplishments include 2011 St. Louis Business “Top 25 Influential Business Women”, the 2012 “Missourian Award” for her long time efforts in improving the quality of life in Missouri through parks and recreation services, NAACP 2018 Ina Boon Social Justice award for work related to minority inclusion in the CityArchRiver project and numerous accolades for Great Rivers Greenway under her leadership. Her board service includes St. Louis Regional Health Commission, Beyond Housing, Urban Land Institute, American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association (2015-16 Chair).
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ABOUT: Great Rivers Greenway is a public agency, created by a vote of the people in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County in the year 2000 to make the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a network of greenways with partners and communities, enhancing healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. Whether you walk, run, ride a bike, roll a wheelchair or push a stroller, there are 135 miles of greenways and counting for you to explore and enjoy! www.GreatRiversGreenway.org