Staff

(She/Her) A New Orleans native and a National Park Service alum, Sheena’s passion for working in our nation’s parks peaked when she began working on the interpretive staff over twenty years ago at Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska followed by her time as a Park Ranger Interpreter at Petersburg National Battlefield in Virginia. Since then, she has worked in labor relations, non-profit administration, community development finance and business development. Her passion lies at the intersection of climate innovation/resilience, sustainable infrastructure development and building the capacity of underserved and marginalized communities.  She is a detail oriented strategist and sustainability consultant with a knack for project management, entrepreneurial thinking, relationship management and equitable community development. With nearly 20 years in the non-profit and business industry, she holds a degree in Urban Sustainability, Master’s in Public Administration and is currently a seminarian studying Innovative Ministry with long term plans to pursue a terminal degree. Sheena was a graduate Fellow of the United Nations Association where she focused on the seventeen sustainable development goals and a Fellow alum of the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) where she focused on renewable energy and decarbonization in majority minority communities. Sheena is well traveled (37) countries and has studied abroad in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and El Salvador. 

She has visited over 150 national parks, monuments and historical sites and has a keen interest in ensuring Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens moves the needle in its philanthropic efforts through strategic partnerships, maintains sustainable infrastructure development to withstand the impact of climate change, is accessible to all and serves as an anchor institution for wellness as an urban oasis. When she is not working or serving, you can find her jamming at a music festival, on a weekend road trip, playing the guzheng, shopping at local thrift store, experimenting with her manual camera, strolling through a farmers market, volunteering through board service, mentoring, gardening, cooking up a Louisiana staple (especially Gumbo), spinning from her extensive vinyl record collection, trekking in the mountains or relaxing by the ocean. She credits her faith, family, and friends for helping her continually evolve as a servant leader. She is excited to use her passion and gifts as the Executive Director of Friends of the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden to ensure the park is well-maintained, well-enjoyed and welcoming for all. When you see her, say hello and you may follow her on linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sraefoster/