“Top on my ‘why-the-Saint-Paul-Parks-Conservancy- is-wonderful’ list is the fact that they focus on everyone having access to parks,” says Susan. “No one is excluded from the great outdoors, rec centers or neighborhood events. One of the Conservancy’s best efforts is making parks accessible to our neighbors with disabilities, small children, seniors and community newcomers. Everyone can benefit from activities that connect our beautiful parks with the people using them.”
“Our ability to engage and interact with partners across sectors – government, businesses, schools, neighborhood groups, and other nonprofits – is central to our success. To enhance and support the work of the City of St. Paul Parks and Recreation staff is a collaboration that makes meaningful the commitment to sustain our ‘Nation’s Best’ ranking. I am proud to be a new Board member and to carry on the work of those who have laid such a strong foundation and set a vision for the future.”
A Principal Consultant with Strategic Consulting and Coaching, Susan Rostkoski has extensive experience in both the corporate and nonprofit arenas. Her 20+ year corporate career in cities across the U.S. culminated in top leadership positions with Hertz and Budget car rental companies. Susan was recognized for her team-building skills, problem-solving ability and project management expertise. She was also selected to be part of a small team that dealt with troubled business units across the country. Those same skills made her an effective leader during her 20+ years in nonprofits in the areas of fundraising, communications, volunteer management and executive leadership. Susan also had a long career at Neighborhood House and has done significant fundraising work at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center (both housed in Park facilities). Susan brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, finance, fundraising, working in diverse communities and group facilitation to her role on the board. To enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the city, Susan looked up the A-Z list of Saint Paul parks and devoted 30 minutes to visiting each one and its surrounding neighborhood. “I’m simply amazed at the variety of outdoor spaces and park facilities we are blessed with here,” Susan says. “And the more I learn about the breadth and depth of the programming that goes on in our parks, the more inspired I am to give and to bring others into the parks family.”