The National Park Foundation (NPF) has announced the appointment of Jeff Reinbold as its new president and CEO-elect, effective December 1, 2024. Reinbold, a veteran of the National Park Service (NPS) with over 30 years of experience, will officially assume the role on February 1, 2025, taking the reins from current president and CEO Will Shafroth.
As the official nonprofit partner of the NPS, NPF plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting America’s 430+ national parks, ensuring their accessibility and enjoyment for generations to come. Reinbold brings a wealth of experience to this position, having served most recently as the superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. In this role, he spearheaded large-scale initiatives to restore iconic memorials and enhance the experience of over 30 million visitors annually to the National Mall, a cherished 1,000-acre parkland known as “America’s Front Yard.”
Prior to his role as superintendent, Reinbold led the NPS Office of Partnerships and Civic Engagement, where he spearheaded efforts to transform the NPS’s philanthropic partnerships. He worked closely with NPF and the broader park partner community to significantly increase the scale and impact of park philanthropy, making it a central part of the historic National Park Service Centennial Celebration in 2016.
Reinbold’s dedication to preserving national parks is evident in his earlier work on projects across the nation, including the creation of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. He worked hand-in-hand with community members, local volunteers, and the Families of Flight 93 to preserve the crash site and create a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11th, preventing a fourth plane from reaching Washington, D.C. The park was formally dedicated in 2011, and its visitor center opened to the public in 2015 with the support of the National Park Foundation’s Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign.
“Jeff knows what our parks need most and has the critical experience to bring partners together to accomplish big, bold things for America’s national parks,” said National Park Foundation Board Chair Rhoda Altom. “After a rigorous search that brought the best and brightest to our door, Jeff’s expertise combined with the trust he has earned across the National Park Service, with NPF, and within the park partner and donor communities set him apart as a leader ready to build on and accelerate the Foundation’s extraordinary success.”
Under Shafroth’s leadership over the past decade, NPF has significantly increased funding for national parks, fostered innovative public-private partnerships, and leveraged philanthropy to accelerate crucial initiatives across the park system. NPF has also prioritized investments to strengthen the park partner community of over 400 organizations that collectively contribute more than $400 million to parks annually.
“The National Park Foundation is an indispensable partner to the National Park Service and to the Department. Will Shafroth has been key to that relationship, and I have deeply valued our close working relationship,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Jeff is an excellent choice to step in to lead the Foundation, with keen insight and proven experience at the Department. I am confident that under his leadership, NPF will continue to help NPS meet the challenges and opportunities for America’s national parks.”
As superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, Reinbold led a staff of over 200 NPS employees and collaborated with over 20 partner organizations to establish one of the nation’s most ambitious park philanthropy and partnership programs, encompassing numerous complex and high-profile projects.
“Jeff’s decades of cultivating partnerships and grant opportunities across the entire park system will serve him and our partnership well in this new role,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “From heading our partnerships and civic engagement directorate to his transformational leadership during our Centennial, Jeff has made a positive impact on NPS, and I expect that to continue in his new role.”
In his new role, Reinbold will lead The Campaign for National Parks, NPF’s ambitious $1 billion fundraising initiative to address the pressing needs of America’s 430+ national park sites. The Campaign aims to galvanize the efforts of park partners across the country, whose collective goal is to raise an additional $3.5 billion for national parks.
“I am honored to join the National Park Foundation, and excited to work with the distinguished Board of Directors, a talented staff, and a growing community of national park supporters,” said Reinbold. “NPF has seen unprecedented growth, and I look forward to building on that success to create even greater impact and help parks not only address pressing needs, but also think about what’s possible.”
The National Park Foundation is dedicated to protecting wildlife and park lands, preserving history and culture, educating and engaging youth, and connecting people worldwide to the wonder of parks. The organization collaborates with the NPS, the park partner community, and relies on the generous support of donors. For more information, visit www.nationalparks.org.
