STAFF

Lauren Bornfriend, Executive Director

As Executive Director since June, 1999, Ms. Bornfriend has overseen PPA’s activist role on behalf of Philadelphia’s parks. A native Philadelphian with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, Ms. Bornfriend founded and served as President of Contained Spaces, a corporation in NYC. Additional professional experience includes her work as an Environmental Paralegal at Beveridge & Diamond, PC; research assistant for NOW and writer Barbara Sher; and Department Chair at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.

Tracie Blummer, Program Coordinator

Tracie coordinates our advocacy programs and manages our digital advocacy platforms including our website, email blasts and social media. Tracie joined the Philadelphia Parks Alliance in January 2012 after completing a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Nonprofit Management from Virginia Tech University. Tracie brings several years of community service as a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) in West Virginia and internationally in China and Tibet. She also holds a BFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and currently serves on the board of BuildaBridge International. Tracie is an avid hiker and in 2007 was married on the covered bridge in the Wissahickon Valley section of Fairmount Park. She and her husband are expecting their first child and she will be on maternity leave from mid-April to mid-June 2013

Sarah Friedman, Development Director

Sarah joined the Parks Alliance in April 2012 and is responsible for raising contributed revenue from individuals, corporations, foundations, and via special events.  Sarah has a background in fundraising and communications with previous professional roles at diverse nonprofits including WOMEN’S WAY, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Drexel University, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Rowan University.  She is a graduate of Rowan University with a degree in Communications.  Sarah is a former member of the Rowan University Alumni Association Board and Philadelphia Young Nonprofit Leaders.  Sarah resides in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia with her husband, attorney Michael J. Burg, Jr., one-year-old son, and a greyhound.

Elizabeth Pilar, Administrative Coordinator

Elizabeth manages the administrative operations of the Parks Alliance.  She has been passionate about open space ever since growing up on a farm near Reading, Pennsylvania. She has a background in administration, fundraising, events management and graphic design for non-profit land trusts.  In addition to her administrative work, Elizabeth is a dressmaker and graphic artist.  She is a graduate of Brown University and lives in West Philadelphia with her husband.