Our tagline is people + parks, and we take that to heart. We know the people we work with, both inside and outside the office, are what make this organization successful, and we’re proud of the team we’ve put together. Each of us is committed to making Austin’s parks, trails and green spaces great for each and every Austinite. Read up on this month’s featured APF staff member, and stay tuned for more throughout the year!
Name: Vanessa Hillis
Title:
Office Manager
What She Does:
Vanessa keeps the APF train running on time. From managing our technology and day to day needs to budgeting for, project managing and overseeing our upcoming move to a new space, Vanessa does the behind the scenes work that helps our team run smoothly. She’s the friendly face you’ll see when you walk in our door, the calming voice on the other end of the line when you’re lost in a park, and the glue that binds our daily operations to our mission.
Time at APF:
10 months
Favorite park:
Wild Basin Nature Preserve: I love Wild Basin because the hiking is rigorous, and the scenery is varied. You get great overlooks, wooded trails, rocky outcroppings, and a waterfall! My favorite park overall is Redwood National Park, because WOW.
Favorite thing about being on the APF Staff:
The people! Such an amazing, supportive, funny, passionate and friendly team to get to work with!
Favorite park memory:
Fun Fact:
I started my career as a theatre master electrician. One of the last shows I worked on was at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton New Jersey, and it starred Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce.