FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WASHINGTON, DC - The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) is pleased to announce that Andrea Ketchmark has been elected by its Board of Directors as the organization’s next President and CEO. She will start on January 31, 2026, following 16 years of service at the North Country Trail Association, including the past seven years as Executive Director.
PLA connects, strengthens, and represents nonprofit partners of America’s public lands, including parks, forests, wildlife refuges, conservation areas, and other public lands sites. These members contribute $250 million annually to the preservation and enrichment of treasured places nationwide. PLA has served as a leading voice for public lands since its founding in 1977.
“Andrea brings to PLA a powerful record of working for conservation and the outdoors at the local, regional, state, and national levels,” said Caroline Ward, PLA Board Chair. “Her passion for the places that millions of Americans rely upon will help propel PLA’s mission in the coming years. The board is excited to partner with Andrea for the vital work ahead.”
An accomplished nonprofit executive, Andrea has served as the national Chair of the Partnership for the National Trails System for the past three years, leading a broad coalition advocating for funding and policies for trails that serve millions of people annually. In addition, she served for five years on the board of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
“Andrea stands out as a leader of rare quality who combines coalition-building skills, conservation knowledge, fundraising effectiveness, and advocacy experience,” noted Ray Foote, Chair of the Search Committee of the PLA Board. “The Committee was deeply impressed by her ability to inspire both staff and volunteers to achieve notable results on the ground, with nonprofit partners, and in Congress. Our public lands are challenged as never before; Andrea is the person to meet this moment and to further strengthen PLA’s growing community of nonprofit members and partners dedicated to preserving and enriching America’s public lands.
“Public lands have shaped my life and my career, and I am deeply honored to be chosen as the next President and CEO of the Public Lands Alliance,” said Andrea Ketchmark. “I am excited to work alongside the Board, staff, members, partners, and the many passionate people who care for and advocate for our public lands. Together, we have a powerful opportunity to strengthen these treasured places, support the people who steward them, and ensure they remain welcoming, inspiring, and accessible for generations to come.”
While at the North Country Trail Association, Andrea led 29 chapters, 10 affiliate partners, and 160 land management partners in eight states. Under her leadership, the organization doubled in size, created an operating reserve, and grew its trail protection fund eight-fold.
Andrea earned her B.S. in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University (Fort Collins) and has completed further professional certifications in nonprofit management and leadership from Cornell University, Great Lakes Leadership Academy, and Michigan Nonprofit Association.
Andrea succeeds Dan Puskar who became Executive Director of the Rock Creek Conservancy (Washington, DC) in June after thirteen years leading PLA. Since June, PLA Board member Theresa McMullan has served as Interim President and CEO and will return to Board service upon Andrea’s start in her new role.
· For more information (including media inquiries), contact: Theresa McMullan at theresa@publiclandsalliance.org.
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