Jesús Aguirre

Jesús Aguirre is Chief Executive Officer of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, a non-profit organization creating an innovative linear park system around a restored Waller Creek in downtown Austin, in partnership with the City of Austin. Waterloo Greenway serves as the vibrant core behind a blossoming district that is undergoing remarkable economic growth and a rejuvenation of its cultural treasures. The district encompasses significant landmarks such as Austin’s Innovation District, the Austin Convention Center, the Red River Cultural District, Palm School, and the Mexican-American Cultural Center. Under the guidance of Jesús’s leadership, Waterloo Greenway, as a community-centric organization, is fully committed to ensuring that all communities can actively participate in and benefit from every facet of the parks. This includes offering workforce opportunities, engaging in diverse programs, and fostering community collaborations.

Jesús brings his leadership from the City of Seattle, where he has served as Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Recreation for almost six years. Aguirre also brings more than 20 years of public service leadership experience in several major metropolitan jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Seattle.

After graduating from UT, Aguirre received a Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Prior to his work in Seattle, he served as director of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, where he oversaw more than $115 million in facility design, construction, and redevelopment efforts in the nation’s capital. In addition, Aguirre has also worked in the education sector, starting off as a middle school science teacher, and ultimately serving as the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. Aguirre and his wife co-founded and ran a nonprofit K-8 dual-language charter school in Phoenix for 10 years. He serves as Chair of the Board of National Recreation and Park Association and Children and Nature Network, and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Sarah Milligan-Toffler

Sarah Milligan-Toffler brings her passion for the healing power of nature to the Children & Nature Network. She works with the Board and staff to establish a vision and plan for improving equitable access to the benefits of nature across the U.S. Sarah leverages the power of relationships and networks, and works across private, public and corporate sectors to fulfill C&NN’s mission. Prior to her work with C&NN, Sarah served as the Associate Executive Director at Wilderness Inquiry for 23 years. Sarah is the recipient of the 2017 George B. Hartzog, Jr. Environmental Awards Program, Fran P. Mainella Award for sustained and innovative achievement by a woman in the management of North America’s natural, historic and cultural heritage. She earned a Bachelor of Philosophy with a minor in Women’s Studies from Miami University. Sarah lives outside of Atlanta, GA; she loves running outdoors every day, no matter the weather, and enjoys exploring the natural beauty that exists in every community.

Dylan McDowell

Dylan serves as the Executive Director for NCEL, a group created by and for state legislators to serve as a resource and connector on state environmental issues. Originally trained as a science communicator, his background includes developing education and communication materials for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the Hatfield Marine Science Center, and Oregon Sea Grant. He was selected as a 2018 SHIFT Emerging Leader for his work related to outdoor conservation and health and chosen for the 2020 Blue Pioneers Program Accelerator at UC Santa Cruz for leaders and innovators working on ocean conservation. He lives in Salem, Oregon and serves as Chair of the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. You can read more about him on his page.

Amanda O’Rourke

Amanda O’Rourke is the Executive Director of 8 80 Cities. Their mission is to ignite action and challenge the status quo to create healthier, more equitable, and sustainable cities for all people. She has over 20 years of experience leading strategic planning, partnership development, and managing high-impact teams. She has led diverse equitable mobility and public space projects in cities and towns in North America, Europe, and Australia. Amanda is a sought-after thought leader, writer, speaker, and experienced facilitator. She enjoys working collaboratively with city governments and community partners to make it easier for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to walk, bike, take public transit, and build a sense of belonging and connection in public spaces. Amanda holds a Master of Science in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Queen’s University.  She is Co-Chair of the Children Play and Nature Committee for World Urban Parks, an Advisory Board Member to Healthy Places By Design, and a proud mom to three energetic kids who inspire her work and continually inform her approach to city building and placemaking.