Kate Foster

Senior Director of Trail Development and Equity, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

About

I am passionate about nurturing strong board and staff leadership and building coalitions among diverse people. I am an experienced manager, teacher and public speaker, and skilled at building teams and forming community partnerships. I have experience in fundraising, nonprofit management and strategic planning. My qualifications include: Extensive experience with cross-cultural relationships Community organizing Staff management Fundraising Coaching, working toward ICF certification Curriculum design and implementation Proficient in Spanish Graduated from Wesleyan University and Columbia Theological Seminary.

Experience

  • Rails to Trails Conservancy (Full-time · 4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Senior Director of Trail Development and Equity
      Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    • Mid-Atlantic Director of Trail Development
      Jul 2022 - May 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Executive Director at The Center: Mission Outside the Box (Presbytery of Baltimore)
    May 2011 - Jul 2022 · 11 yrs 3 mos

    Founded and built service-learning program from initial concept to nationally-recognized initiative. • Grew program participation nearly 2000%. • Manage fundraising program, including individual and institutional donors. • Designed, co-write, and teach curriculum for adolescents and adults addressing the history of systemic racism and the policies and practices that have led to consistent disinvestment in black and brown neighborhoods. • Cultivate institutional partnerships across sectors, and across economic, cultural, religious and racial boundaries in neighborhoods and communities across the Baltimore metro area. • Consult with leaders on adaptive leadership, community organizing, and community engagement. • Coach pastors and lay leaders seeking to be more effective. • Work with Board to set annual budget, oversee finances, provide for overall program, and engage in strategic planning. • Manage staff of up to 3 full-time and 2 part-time employees, and multiple summer interns annually.

  • Youth Pastor at Brown Memorial Park Ave. Presbyterian Church
    Aug 2006 - Jun 2010 · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Associate Pastor for Congregational Life at Idlewild Presbyterian Church
    Aug 2001 - Aug 2004 · 3 yrs 1 mo