Rebecca Bear

Background

About Rebecca Bear

I am a strategic and driven social impact leader with expertise in founding and growing organizations, both for profit and non-profit in domestic and international marketplaces. I currently serve as President and CEO of Seattle Parks Foundation, where we work with over 120 grassroots community groups to create thriving and equitable public spaces. SPF is the largest environmental fiscal sponsor in the State of Washington. Our strategic focus areas include equity in public spaces and neighborhood based climate solutions and we deliver our work through advocacy, activation, community building, civic engagement, and mobilizing public and private resources in service to public lands. During my tenure at SPF, we have doubled the number of partners served and dollars raised, while also improving our internal systems of operation to increase efficiency. We create catalytic funding opportunities to make real, equitable and climate friendly investments throughout Seattle and Puget Sound. Prior to Seattle Parks Foundation, I built and scaled the nation’s leading outdoor experiences business within the largest retail consumer co-op in the country. I grow organizations by focusing on building great teams and listening to local community needs. At REI I created diverse partnerships locally and nationally, delivering brand awareness and year over year double-digit revenue and community impact growth. My team served over 350K people in communities across the country annually, partnered with of community organizations, and managed local philanthropy. I am a passionate leader of people who believes that empowering employees to unleash their talent enabling great results. I have pioneered of a number of innovative brand, community and customer acquisition strategies through both physical and digital experiences. I elevate diversity, equity and inclusion with employees, the enterprise, through customer programs, and within the industry. I am a relational leader who builds organizations through collaboration and partnership. I have extensive experience negotiating complex issues and partnerships in matrix structures both cross-enterprise and with vendors, government and the nonprofit sector.