Two passionate advocates added to East Coast Greenway staff

The nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance today announced the addition of two new staff members: Allison Burson in the newly created role of national greenway director and K.C. Ward as office operations manager. 

“I am excited to welcome Allison and K.C. to the East Coast Greenway,” Deputy Director Niles Barnes said. “While they both bring impressive credentials to our growing team, what really stands out is their commitment to our mission of creating safe spaces for active and equitable transportation and recreation.”

Based in Boston, Burson brings more than 15 years experience making public spaces more accessible, equitable and enjoyable. As the national greenway director, she oversees the Alliance’s trail development projects and programs and leads the Greenway’s eight-person field staff team.

“At this turning point in the history of United States infrastructure, I'm excited to join a future-focused team working effectively to secure federal infrastructure dollars to support community based Greenway projects,” Burson said. “I’m really looking forward to working with local communities building out better access to trails and greenways for cities and towns up and down the Eastern Seaboard to have safe places to walk, bike and roll.”

Prior to joining the Greenway team, Burson worked in the nonprofit, foundation, private, higher education and public sectors in Seattle, Boston and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, Burson worked as the program manager for A Greener Greater Boston at Alliance partner The Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation. There, she helped partners working on parks and trails to envision, test and plan projects and supported grassroots community engagement and helped partners secure large-scale federal, state and local funding for multi-million dollar infrastructure investments. As a volunteer, Burson serves as board chair for MassBike. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University with bachelor’s degrees in American studies and environmental studies.

Working in East Coast Greenway Alliance’s Durham, North Carolina, headquarters, Ward brings a formal background in public health and exercise science and experience as an administrative assistant in the healthcare field to the nonprofit’s office operations manager role. 

“I am thrilled to be joining the East Coast Greenway Alliance to advocate for safe, sustainable and equitable outdoor recreation for all.” Ward said. “The work done at the Alliance is vital to the public health and success of all communities.”

Prior to joining the Greenway team, Ward worked as a medical and administrative assistant with Laurel Endocrine & Thyroid Specialists in Columbia, South Carolina, where she managed many aspects of the practice’s clerical and clinical operations. 

As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Ward gained wide-ranging experience in the nonprofit sector. She was part of ACS’ national volunteer team and a leader in on-campus engagement at the University of South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. 

Burson and Ward represent the latest additions to an East Coast Greenway team that welcomed eight staff members in the previous nine months.