Susan K. Trautman, CPRP is the CEO Great Rivers Greenway. Since 2010, she has been instrumental in advancing the regional vision to make the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a regional network of greenways. Great Rivers Greenway is the public agency connecting St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County with greenways. We collaborate with 265+ municipalities, agencies and organizations
across the region to deliver on the community’s vision for a vibrant, connected region. Trautman oversees initiatives that impact over 100 municipalities, creating and preserving outdoor spaces, connecting people to nature, linking and strengthening neighborhoods, encouraging healthier active lifestyles, and stimulating the economic well-being of the region. The agency is also the public steward of Proposition P, the Safe and Accessible Arch and Public Parks Initiative. A 3/16 cent sales tax approved in April 2013 which provides $100 million in public funds to match $250 million privately raised for the renovation of the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis Riverfront. Prop P more than doubled the agency’s revenue, increasing it to over $30 million annually as well as providing additional park funding for St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Trautman actively oversees the CityArchRiver project in conjunction with the leadership of the project’s many partners.
Trautman’s background includes serving as the Director of Parks and Recreation with the City of Des Peres, as Planner/Principal with SWT Design, and serving the City of Clayton, Mo., as Director of Parks and Recreation and as Executive Director of The Center of Clayton. For nearly 35 years, she has been responsible for guiding the development and enhancement of numerous park and open space facilities, trails, recreation centers, and delivering successful projects such as the $27 million Lodge Des Peres and the $19 million Center of Clayton.
Trautman was honored with the Missouri Athletic Club’s 2016 “Women of Distinction Award”. She was recognized in the 2014 Alive Magazine “Buzz List” as an influential leader enriching St. Louis as a partner to the CityArchRiver project. She was also recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a “2011 Top 25 Influential Business Women” and in 2012 was awarded the “Missourian Award” for her long-time efforts in improving the quality of life in Missouri through parks and recreation services. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Regional Health Commission and is an Urban Land Institute Advisory Board member. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Recreation and Park Association and served as 2015-16 Chair of this 60,000 member organization. Among honors received under Trautman’s leadership, Great Rivers Greenway has received the 2016 Mayor’s Award; the 2015 American Society of Landscape Architect’s Award of Excellence; the 2015 Missouri Park and Recreation Association Give Back Award; the 2011 Focus St. Louis Quality of Life Award and the 2011 East West Gateway Outstanding Local Government Achievement Award.
Trautman has been active with the Missouri Parks and Recreation throughout her career serving as President in 2006 and receiving the Fellow Award in 2010. Trautman previously served as a Board member for the Conservation Federation of Missouri. She is a member of the University of Missouri, School of Natural Resources Advisory Council. She has served as a STL250 Board member, helping to celebrate the 250th anniversary of St. Louis. She is also active in St. Justin Martyr parish serving on numerous committees and oversaw the renovation and additions to the church and school in 2005.