National Park Foundation Names Lise Aangeenbrug Chief Program Officer

WASHINGTON – Lise Aangeenbrug has joined the National Park Foundation (NPF) as Chief Program Officer, leading the organization’s program and partnerships teams responsible for delivering more than $89 million in grants and other support to national parks last year. Aangeenbrug will oversee the Foundation’s programmatic strategy for protecting parks, connecting people to the natural and cultural heritage parks preserve, and strengthening the extensive national network of nonprofit partners that support the more than 400 national parks across the country.

Aangeenbrug brings extensive experience in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation spanning three decades, including executive leadership roles with Great Outdoors Colorado and most recently as Executive Director of the Outdoor Industry Association. Aangeenbrug is a Board Member of the Land Trust Alliance and Resources Legacy Fund.

“Lise is a passionate leader with tremendous professional experience and a deep personal commitment to stewarding public lands and ensuring exceptional recreation opportunities and equitable access to the outdoors for all,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Her leadership, strategic focus and experience working with the National Park Service will allow Lise to hit the ground running and help take the Foundation’s expansive and innovative programs to the next level.”

As annual park visitation continues to trend upward, the Foundation’s strategic alignment with the National Park Service, and close collaboration with a growing community of park partners across the country present opportunities to increase the impact philanthropy delivers to national parks to meet pressing needs.

“I am excited to partner with the National Park Service and the hundreds of park partners across the U.S to protect, enhance, and connect people to wonders of America’s national parks, monuments, and historic sites,” said Aangeenbrug. “The National Park Foundation provides essential funding and programs that deliver a significant boost to the National Park Service, as it faces new challenges and the need to deliver on priorities and innovation around protecting park landscapes and preserving history and culture, telling more complete stories, engaging youth and cultivating the next generation of park stewards.”

Aangeenbrug returns to the National Park Foundation in her new role, having previously served as Executive Vice President at NPF between 2016 and 2018. She began her career in natural resources as a research assistant in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and held positions as a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the California Department of Fish and Game.