Rebecca Bear

About Rebecca Bear

I am a strategic and driven social impact leader with expertise in founding and growing organizations, both for profit and non-profit in domestic and international marketplaces. I currently serve as President and CEO of Seattle Parks Foundation, where we work with over 120 grassroots community groups to create thriving and equitable public spaces. SPF is the largest environmental fiscal sponsor in the State of Washington. Our strategic focus areas include equity in public spaces and neighborhood based climate solutions and we deliver our work through advocacy, activation, community building, civic engagement, and mobilizing public and private resources in service to public lands. During my tenure at SPF, we have doubled the number of partners served and dollars raised, while also improving our internal systems of operation to increase efficiency. We create catalytic funding opportunities to make real, equitable and climate friendly investments throughout Seattle and Puget Sound.Prior to Seattle Parks Foundation, I built and scaled the nation’s leading outdoor experiences business within the largest retail consumer co-op in the country. I grow organizations by focusing on building great teams and listening to local community needs. At REI I created diverse partnerships locally and nationally, delivering brand awareness and year over year double-digit revenue and community impact growth. My team served over 350K people in communities across the country annually, partnered with of community organizations, and managed local philanthropy. I am a passionate leader of people who believes that empowering employees to unleash their talent enabling great results. I have pioneered of a number of innovative brand, community and customer acquisition strategies through both physical and digital experiences. I elevate diversity, equity and inclusion with employees, the enterprise, through customer programs, and within the industry. I am a relational leader who builds organizations through collaboration and partnership. I have extensive experience negotiating complex issues and partnerships in matrix structures both cross-enterprise and with vendors, government and the nonprofit sector.

Experience

1. President and CEO

   Seattle Parks Foundation

   Nov 2020 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   At Seattle Parks Foundation we partner with community to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. Our vision is that people feel welcomed and invested in our parks and public spaces, leading to healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities. The world we seek to create leads to:* Equity in Public Spaces* Activated Parks and Healthy People * Neighborhood Based Climate Solutions* Increased Civic Engagement and Community BuildingSee some of our great partners and their work at board, staff, fundraising, finance, operations, programs, and advocacy work focused on championing thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. Fundraise annual budget of $5M-$7M with additional $13M in assets under management. Oversee grassroots community volunteer network of 120+ neighborhood based organizations. Some accomplishments during tenure: Led organization through a community engagement process resulting in a new mission, vision andstrategic plan and led a strategic plan refresh in 2025 Expanded corporate donors, public grants, government contracts and diversified funding base to double the annual operating fundraising Led a 25th Anniversary year of events to reach new audiences Guided a refreshed brand, logo and website that includes a self-service portal for partners Successfully advocated for $780M in public funding for parks and recreation for the next six years Grew community partnership program by 50% in 2 years Led DEIJ process including public statement and integration into all work streams Grew staffing by 100%, addressed workplace structure and culture issues Improved SPF relations with government agencies, Mayor’s office, and expanded into federal and state funding for projects Launched Tree Equity Network - a region wide coalition focused on nature based climate solutions and policy change

Education

• Reed College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

• Harvard University Graduate School of Education

  Master of Education - MEd

• Bryn Mawr College

  Bachelor's degree

• Presidio Graduate School

  Certificate