February 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 38

30 UNDER 30
Sammie Powers, 27
Assistant Professor of Recreation Management, George Mason University (VA)
Sammie Powers is a researcher and educator whose work centers on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
(JEDI) in the park and recreation profession. Her research focuses on equitable and inclusive
management of parks and recreation, as well as actions to address systemic and interpersonal racism.
Powers examines access, use and experiences within park settings among diverse populations and
the circumstances under which these settings can be more equitable and inclusive. She also focuses
on management strategies agencies can use to increase engagement, representation and belonging
among communities of color. As an educator, Powers incorporates JEDI content into all of her
courses to advance students' intercultural competencies and knowledge of systemic inequalities.
Connor Schaefer, 29
Senior Planner, Washington County (MN)
Connor Schaefer leads projects to improve Washington County, Minnesota's growing park and trail
system, including master plans, policy initiatives and project funding. Schaefer intentionally and thoughtfully
connects with communities of underrepresented populations - specifically people of color,
first-generation immigrants, people with disabilities, low-income, and adults ages 65 and older -
by tailoring engagement strategies to meet the needs and goals of the project and community.
Schaefer also played a key role in establishing a regional Equity Grant Program. He worked
with other regional parks and equity representatives to design a new standard-setting funding
approach to help park agencies address equity issues in parks and trails system.
Alyssa Schulte, 26
Fitness and Wellness Supervisor, Centerville-Washington Park District (OH)
Alyssa Schulte has used her fitness and wellness supervisor role with the Centerville-Washington
(Ohio) Park District to expand programming while combining fitness experiences with integrated
environmental education. Within a year, she added five new special events, a 167 percent increase
in special event programming offerings, that focused on building healthy outdoor experiences for
youth in the community. Schulte's Fun Run events included environmental education and activity
stations along a one-mile route, while the Great Turkey Trek featured an adventure 5K throughout
a nature park. These first-time events received a strong response from the community, with
participation across the events totaling more than 1,050 attendees.
Amy Seklecki, 29
Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, Arlington Heights Park District (IL)
During her short time at Arlington Heights (Illinois) Park District as director of marketing and community
engagement, Amy Seklecki already has made an immediate impact. She coordinated a listening
tour with the executive director that made 12 stops around the community, allowing residents
to provide feedback on the park district's strengths and areas for improvement. Seklecki joined the
agency's diversity, equity and inclusion committee to create awareness and facilitate change. She
was part of the first-ever Heritage Fest, which celebrated the diversity in the Arlington Heights
community. At the state level, she has served as chair of the Special Event Committee with the
Illinois Park and Recreation Association.
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February 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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