Meet Our Team

Ms. Lout oversees the Institute’s work to provide thought leadership and professional development programming to urban park professionals. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she developed and managed strategy and programming for a variety of organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, The Museum of the City of New York, and New Yorkers for Parks.

Chris provides project planning, technical support, facilitation, and subject matter expertise across all Institute programs. Since 2014, he has developed and overseen Institute engagements with park professionals, including the national Partnerships Lab, the Urban Park Roundtable series, and direct peer-to-peer consultations. He previously spent more than a decade managing landscapes and operations staff in Central Park.

Grey Elam is the Director of New York City Programs for the Institute for Urban Parks. She oversees the Institute’s work with New York City-based groups through programs like the NYC Partnerships Lab, which helps organizations build their capacity to plan, develop and maintain great public spaces. She previously served as a landscape architect and planner with Central Park and has a background in civic engagement working for NYC City Council.

Dr. Philip Silva is the Director of Continuing Education & Research at the Institute for Urban Parks. He has more than a decade of experience in the fields of adult learning, participatory research, and nonprofit management. Dr. Silva oversees the design and facilitation of online and in-person professional development initiatives, including the Urban Park Leadership Program and the online Certificate in Urban Park Management.

Sarah Tracy is the Director of National Programs at the Institute for Urban Parks and oversees programs including the National Partnerships Lab and Urban Park Roundtable series. Prior to joining the Institute, she developed fundraising and communication programs a variety of non-profits and corporations including the USO, Habitat for Humanity, Ralph Lauren, and MSNBC.