Austin Outside
Board of Directors

Co-Founder & Partner at Mend Collaborative. Kari works on parks, ecology, and equity-related planning and design projects that enhance urban ecosystems, public health, and environmental justice, with a focus on participatory design that builds ecological and social resilience in communities.

Director of Park Planning & Design with 15 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. His expertise spans major capital improvement projects — from master planning through construction documentation. An avid musician, painter, and occasional welder.

Decades-long advocate for parks, open space, trails, and environmental protection. Former Texas State Director of the Trust for Public Land and Executive Director of the Austin Parks Foundation. Co-founded Shoal Creek Conservancy and co-led the effort to create Austin Outside.

Executive Director of Travis County Parks Foundation with over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, including serving as founding executive director of Shoal Creek Conservancy. Managed three successful open space and transportation bond campaigns in Texas and New Jersey. M.A. in Geography & the Environment, UT Austin.

Over 30 years of strategic public affairs experience and environmental nonprofit operations expertise. Her Austin-based consulting firm has represented clients including The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation and The Texas Water Foundation. Former Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, Great Springs Project. Licensed attorney and certified mediator.

Dedicated conservationist with over 45 years of experience in parks, land, and water conservation. Played a pivotal role in acquiring over 12,000 acres of parkland and facilitating more than $530 million in voter-approved park bonds for Travis County. Led the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system and initiated the Travis County Greenway Program. B.S. in Wildlife Ecology, Utah State University.

Director of Urban Design at the Downtown Austin Alliance, bringing her background as an architect and urban designer to downtown mobility and built environment initiatives. A champion for downtown's urban forest, Amalia leads efforts to enhance tree care and advocate for policy changes that protect and expand downtown outdoor spaces.

Executive Director of the Red Line Parkway Initiative, supporting the 36-mile trail and linear park along the CapMetro Rail Red Line from Downtown Austin to Leander. A longtime walking and bicycling advocate, also serving on the board of Safe Streets Austin and previously with the Austin Bicycle Advisory Council and Pedestrian Advisory Council.

After working for US Senator Alan Simpson, Griffin earned an MBA in Marketing at UT Austin. He spent over 20 years with startups including Balcones Resources and CitySearch. A founding board member of The Trail Conservancy, he served as Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Boardwalk campaign. Now an angel investor focused on early-stage software companies.

Product Manager at Amazon where his work centers on the intersection of technology, sustainability, and office design. Has served on the boards of Exhibit Power LLC, the Arab American Educational Foundation, and a Houston Rotary Club chapter. A Rice University alumnus and longtime Texas resident dedicated to keeping Austin's parks and trails vibrant and accessible for all.