Friends of Rouge Park Board of Directors
Board members are elected at an annual election in March and serve one year. They provide strategic planning, financial oversight and budgeting, staff and organization management, and are advocates and ambassadors for the organization.
Board members are elected at an annual election in March and serve one year. They provide strategic planning, financial oversight and budgeting, staff and organization management, and are advocates and ambassadors for the organization.
Board of Directors
Sally Petrella, President
Sally Petrella is one of the founding members of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as the president.As president, she provides guidance on stewardship of the park's 60 acre prairie, has secured and implemented two grants to create interpretive nature trails, fostered a community led Master Plan, oversees annual cleanups that attract as many as 300 people, advocates for the park, oversees interns and programming, and develops partnerships to improve the park. Read More.
Sally Petrella is one of the founding members of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as the president.As president, she provides guidance on stewardship of the park's 60 acre prairie, has secured and implemented two grants to create interpretive nature trails, fostered a community led Master Plan, oversees annual cleanups that attract as many as 300 people, advocates for the park, oversees interns and programming, and develops partnerships to improve the park. Read More.
Arthur Edge, Vice President
Arthur L. Edge, II is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit with a strong passion and commitment for his family, friends, the City of Detroit, and its residents. Arthur has received the Board of Police Commissioners Resolution twice, State of Michigan Certificate of Appreciation, Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution and been recognized by Detroit Police Department, as well as Wayne County Commission for his many years of service and community involvement. Read More.
Arthur L. Edge, II is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit with a strong passion and commitment for his family, friends, the City of Detroit, and its residents. Arthur has received the Board of Police Commissioners Resolution twice, State of Michigan Certificate of Appreciation, Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution and been recognized by Detroit Police Department, as well as Wayne County Commission for his many years of service and community involvement. Read More.
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Yvette Pullom-Bass, Treasurer
Yvette Pullom-Bass is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Wayne State University where she received a BSW and MSW with concentrations in Community Development and Leadership. Yvette is the Program Director at Detroit Parks Coalition. Prior to working with DPC, Yvette spent six years working with the Chandler Park Conservancy where she contributed to the fundraising, capital development, and programming development and implementation. Yvette learned how to play the sport of lacrosse at Chandler Park and now coaches with the Detroit Youth Lacrosse program. |
Rachel Meeker, Recording Secretary
Rachel serves as the Executive Director of Brightmoor Artisans Collective (BAC), a community center and local food hub north of Rouge Park. As a Brightmoor resident, she is President of the Neighbors Building Brightmoor Board and sits on the Eliza Howell Community Advisory Council for Sidewalk Detroit. As a member of the Rouge Park Board of Directors, Rachel is committed to fostering partnerships with organizations focused on equitable and sustainable community stewardship of the park. Read More.
Paula Trilety, Membership Chair
Paula is a community leader, an activist, and a retired Detroit Public School educator with 45+ years of service. Paula has been president of the West Outer Drive Civic Association (WODCA) for over thirty years. Paula also serves on the Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC) and DPC Programming Committee representing Friends of Rouge Park. Paula has received the “Spirit of Detroit” Award twice and been recognized by Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, The Power of One Dedicated Woman, Black Family Development, Detroit Public Schools Reading Corp, and many more accolades. Read More.
Paula is a community leader, an activist, and a retired Detroit Public School educator with 45+ years of service. Paula has been president of the West Outer Drive Civic Association (WODCA) for over thirty years. Paula also serves on the Detroit Parks Coalition (DPC) and DPC Programming Committee representing Friends of Rouge Park. Paula has received the “Spirit of Detroit” Award twice and been recognized by Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, The Power of One Dedicated Woman, Black Family Development, Detroit Public Schools Reading Corp, and many more accolades. Read More.
Lorraine Harris, Corresponding Secretary
Lorraine Harris is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit. Her career as a well-respected and dedicated city employee began in 1989, which allowed her to hone her customer service and community activist skills.Lorraine’s other passions include standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children, and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; member of her neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; corresponding secretary of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance and member of the Revive Detroit CDC. Read More.
Lorraine Harris is a life-long resident of the City of Detroit. Her career as a well-respected and dedicated city employee began in 1989, which allowed her to hone her customer service and community activist skills.Lorraine’s other passions include standing up in the community against violence and injustice against women, children, and seniors, by becoming an active member of the Detroit 300 Community Action Team; member of her neighborhood organization Far West Detroit Civic Association; corresponding secretary of Friends of Rouge Park; member of The Sixth Precinct Community Relations Organization, member of the Neighborhood Partnership Alliance and member of the Revive Detroit CDC. Read More.
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Paul Stark, Trustee
Paul Stark has lived less than 1-1/2 miles from Rouge Park for 38 years. He received a masters degree in Orientation and Mobility (1987) and in Political Science (1995). He worked as a high school teacher for the Detroit Public Schools for 25 years, and currently contracts with the State and the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired to provide Orientation & Mobility services for the blind. He has been on the board of the Friends of Rouge Park since its founding in 2002, serving as secretary and managing the website for 20 years, and publishing the newsletter for its first five years. Read More. |
Garrett Dempsey, Trustee
Garrett Dempsey is the lead staff member for the Sierra Club's Detroit Outdoors program, where he dedicates his efforts to fostering a deeper connection between urban youth and the natural world. Garrett's commitment to community building extends to his role as a board trustee for the Friends of Rouge Park, where he has served for over three years. In this capacity, he focuses on developing partnerships between Detroit Outdoors and Friends of Rouge Park, ensuring that both organizations work in unison to enhance the park's natural beauty and accessibility. Read More.
Garrett Dempsey is the lead staff member for the Sierra Club's Detroit Outdoors program, where he dedicates his efforts to fostering a deeper connection between urban youth and the natural world. Garrett's commitment to community building extends to his role as a board trustee for the Friends of Rouge Park, where he has served for over three years. In this capacity, he focuses on developing partnerships between Detroit Outdoors and Friends of Rouge Park, ensuring that both organizations work in unison to enhance the park's natural beauty and accessibility. Read More.
Cara Beld, Trustee
Cara Beld is the Development Manager for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. In this role, she oversees the Chapter’s direct mail, digital fundraising, donor events, individual donor fundraising, and supports grant work. Prior to serving as a Trustee for Friends of Rouge Park, Cara was the Public Engagement Intern for the organization. As an Intern, she worked to expand park programming through winter events, stewardship workdays, nature walks, and growing the year end giving campaign. Read More.
Cara Beld is the Development Manager for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. In this role, she oversees the Chapter’s direct mail, digital fundraising, donor events, individual donor fundraising, and supports grant work. Prior to serving as a Trustee for Friends of Rouge Park, Cara was the Public Engagement Intern for the organization. As an Intern, she worked to expand park programming through winter events, stewardship workdays, nature walks, and growing the year end giving campaign. Read More.
JJ Velez, Trustee
JJ Velez is the Director of Public Space at the Gilbert Family Foundation, where he leads projects and partnerships that advance the foundation’s mission to elevate public spaces. His work focuses on enhancing public parks, fostering engaging activations, and supporting sustainable public art, after-school initiatives, and Sports programming. Read More.
JJ Velez is the Director of Public Space at the Gilbert Family Foundation, where he leads projects and partnerships that advance the foundation’s mission to elevate public spaces. His work focuses on enhancing public parks, fostering engaging activations, and supporting sustainable public art, after-school initiatives, and Sports programming. Read More.
Patrick Duggan, Trustee
Patrick Duggan is the Manager of Community and Social Responsibility and the Pistons Foundation. In this role, he oversees fundraising efforts for the Pistons Foundation, awards grants, and activates initiatives aligned with the Detroit Pistons' Community & Social Responsibility mission in education, health and fitness, mentoring, and equality. Previously, Patrick worked for the Detroit Police Athletic League, providing sports programs for the city's youth. He is passionate about sports, Detroit, and serving his community. Patrick is a member of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as a Trustee on their Board of Directors, where he sits on both the Program Committee and the Rouge Park Centennial Celebration Committee.
Patrick Duggan is the Manager of Community and Social Responsibility and the Pistons Foundation. In this role, he oversees fundraising efforts for the Pistons Foundation, awards grants, and activates initiatives aligned with the Detroit Pistons' Community & Social Responsibility mission in education, health and fitness, mentoring, and equality. Previously, Patrick worked for the Detroit Police Athletic League, providing sports programs for the city's youth. He is passionate about sports, Detroit, and serving his community. Patrick is a member of the Friends of Rouge Park and serves as a Trustee on their Board of Directors, where he sits on both the Program Committee and the Rouge Park Centennial Celebration Committee.
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Kate Gmyrek, City Liason Kate Gmyrek is an Assistant Chief of Landscape Architecture with the City of Detroit's General Services Department, where she works as the landscape architect managing Rouge Park, as well as other natural areas in the park system. She holds an undergraduate degree in geography from DePaul University and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Southern California. She spends her spare time exploring the city’s parks and open spaces with her family and gardening in their yard.
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Staff Bios
Jasmine Brown, Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Jasmine is passionate about trees, storytelling, and environmental justice and prioritizes connecting people to nature through story, and history. Jasmine has worked with the U.S. Forest Service as a forestry technician and timber marker is currently pursuing her PhD in Forestry at Michigan State University, where her work explores the historical relationships between African Americans and forests. She received a M.S. in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon State University, and a B.S. in Sustainable Forest Resources from the University of Connecticut.
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Jasmine’s love for Detroit blossomed through her involvement in Detroit Style Roller Skating. Jasmine is also involved in CrossFit, and enjoys walks with her dog. Jasmine is excited to support the future growth and visions of/for Rouge Park.
Jasmine is passionate about trees, storytelling, and environmental justice and prioritizes connecting people to nature through story, and history. Jasmine has worked with the U.S. Forest Service as a forestry technician and timber marker is currently pursuing her PhD in Forestry at Michigan State University, where her work explores the historical relationships between African Americans and forests. She received a M.S. in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon State University, and a B.S. in Sustainable Forest Resources from the University of Connecticut.
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Jasmine’s love for Detroit blossomed through her involvement in Detroit Style Roller Skating. Jasmine is also involved in CrossFit, and enjoys walks with her dog. Jasmine is excited to support the future growth and visions of/for Rouge Park.
Noor Ahmad, Program Coordinator
Noor is an auntie, musician, a gardener and trained stormwater specialist who volunteered for Friends of Rouge Park before she started working with us. Noor is especially passionate about sustainable agriculture, cultural reclamation and organizing spaces for local art, music and community connection with nature!
Noor is an auntie, musician, a gardener and trained stormwater specialist who volunteered for Friends of Rouge Park before she started working with us. Noor is especially passionate about sustainable agriculture, cultural reclamation and organizing spaces for local art, music and community connection with nature!
Jasmine Brown, Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Jasmine is passionate about trees, storytelling, and environmental justice and prioritizes connecting people to nature through story, and history. Jasmine has worked with the U.S. Forest Service as a forestry technician and timber marker is currently pursuing her PhD in Forestry at Michigan State University, where her work explores the historical relationships between African Americans and forests. She received a M.S. in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon State University, and a B.S. in Sustainable Forest Resources from the University of Connecticut.
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Jasmine’s love for Detroit blossomed through her involvement in Detroit Style Roller Skating. Jasmine is also involved in CrossFit, and enjoys walks with her dog. Jasmine is excited to support the future growth and visions of/for Rouge Park.
Jasmine is passionate about trees, storytelling, and environmental justice and prioritizes connecting people to nature through story, and history. Jasmine has worked with the U.S. Forest Service as a forestry technician and timber marker is currently pursuing her PhD in Forestry at Michigan State University, where her work explores the historical relationships between African Americans and forests. She received a M.S. in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon State University, and a B.S. in Sustainable Forest Resources from the University of Connecticut.
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Jasmine’s love for Detroit blossomed through her involvement in Detroit Style Roller Skating. Jasmine is also involved in CrossFit, and enjoys walks with her dog. Jasmine is excited to support the future growth and visions of/for Rouge Park.
Antonio Cosme, Stewardship Manager
Antonio Rafael, the Land Stewardship Manager at Rouge Park is a Coahuiltecan and Boricua agroecologist, artist, educator, and organizer from Southwest, Detroit. With a background in social justice, environmentalism and economics.
Here at Rouge Park Antonio leads our team of Rouge Park Stewards to build trails, manage invasive species and build up a natural areas management team. Read More.
Antonio Rafael, the Land Stewardship Manager at Rouge Park is a Coahuiltecan and Boricua agroecologist, artist, educator, and organizer from Southwest, Detroit. With a background in social justice, environmentalism and economics.
Here at Rouge Park Antonio leads our team of Rouge Park Stewards to build trails, manage invasive species and build up a natural areas management team. Read More.
Lindsay Pielack, Executive Director
Lindsay joined Friends of Rouge Park as their first Executive Director in 2025. Previous to joining Friends of Rouge Park, Lindsay was the Co-Director at Keep Growing Detroit. From 2004-2024, Lindsay was instrumental in facilitating the growth of the Garden Resource Program which grew from 80 gardens in 2004 to over 2,500 in 2024 and has fueled the expansion of the thriving network of productive urban gardens and farms serving families and communities across the city. Lindsay was raised in NW Detroit in Rosedale Park and loves to spend time in Rouge Park. She is a regular swimmer at Brennan Pools and her favorite spot in the park is the Heron Rookery!
Lindsay joined Friends of Rouge Park as their first Executive Director in 2025. Previous to joining Friends of Rouge Park, Lindsay was the Co-Director at Keep Growing Detroit. From 2004-2024, Lindsay was instrumental in facilitating the growth of the Garden Resource Program which grew from 80 gardens in 2004 to over 2,500 in 2024 and has fueled the expansion of the thriving network of productive urban gardens and farms serving families and communities across the city. Lindsay was raised in NW Detroit in Rosedale Park and loves to spend time in Rouge Park. She is a regular swimmer at Brennan Pools and her favorite spot in the park is the Heron Rookery!