Friends of the Riverfront appoints Kelsey Ripper executive director

The nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront appointed one of its board members, Kelsey Ripper, as executive director.

She succeeds Valerie Beichner, who left several months ago to take the helm at another outdoor recreation nonprofit, Venture Outdoors.

Ripper, 33, of Lawrenceville, has been vice president of Friends of the Riverfront’s board of directors. She will soon leave the board, which will appoint a new vice president shortly, according to Dan Ayer, a spokesman for the Friends.

Previously, Ripper served as a director for the Microenterprise Project for Volunteers of Legal Service in New York City. Her experience leading that legal team of attorneys and volunteers to serve under-resourced small businesses and non-profits is a good fit for her position, according to Stacey Vernallis, president of the board of directors of the Friends of the Riverfront. “Her collaborative approach to leadership is what made her stand out in a field of incredibly talented candidates,” she said.

Ripper earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law as well as her Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and American studies.

Friends of the Riverfront developed the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, more than 25 miles of urban riverfront trails along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers.

For more information, visit the Friends’ website.