Rebecca Ratz

Rebecca Ratz has served as Executive Director of Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms since 2019, guiding the organization through a period of transformative growth in both reach and impact. Under her leadership, Friends of Shelby has expanded to a full-time staff of four, launched new community programs, and deepened its focus on equitable park access—ensuring all neighbors feel welcomed and connected to this essential public space.

Drawing on her background in landscape architecture and years as a project manager with Metro Parks, Rebecca brings a pragmatic, place-based approach to her work. She now leads major park improvement initiatives, cultivates partnerships across sectors, and oversees fundraising and strategic direction, all with the goal of helping more people find and enjoy the resources the park offers.