As Houston continues investing in parks, trails and neighborhood greenspaces, Houston Parks Board has named veteran nonprofit leader Ali Flanders Dodson as its new chief advancement officer, strengthening the organization's fundraising and community engagement efforts during its 50th anniversary year.

Effective immediately, Flanders Dodson will oversee the organization's philanthropic growth strategy while leading communications and community engagement initiatives. She will work to expand partnerships with donors, corporations, foundations and community stakeholders to support Houston Parks Board's mission of creating, improving and connecting parks, trails and greenspaces throughout Greater Houston.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for Houston's park system. The City of Houston's Parks and Recreation Department manages more than 380 developed parks, 172 greenspaces and more than 25,000 acres of parkland and greenspace, while providing recreational programming for residents of all ages and abilities. The nationally accredited department continues to work with nonprofit partners such as Houston Parks Board to enhance parks and expand outdoor recreation opportunities across the city. 

Houston Parks Board has been instrumental in many of the city's signature park and trail projects through public-private partnerships, complementing the work of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Those collaborations have helped expand Houston's trail network, improve neighborhood parks and create greater access to outdoor spaces for residents.

The nonprofit also continues to play a key role in the recently announced Let's Play Houston initiative, a $60 million public-private partnership that will renovate 25 neighborhood parks across all 11 Houston City Council districts by the end of 2028, representing one of the city's largest investments in neighborhood parks in recent history. 

Flanders Dodson brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in fundraising, donor relations and strategic development. Most recently, she served as chief advancement officer for Kids' Meals, where she led fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies and institutional giving programs while working closely with the organization's leadership and board of directors.

Before joining Kids' Meals in 2024, she spent seven years as advancement director for Coastal Prairie Conservancy, helping grow the organization's individual giving program by 500 percent during her tenure. Her previous experience also includes leadership positions with the Downtown YMCA and Texas Children's Hospital, where she supported the hospital's multi-million-dollar Building for Children capital campaign. She has also provided pro bono fundraising consulting for St. Mark's Episcopal School.

In addition to her professional experience, Flanders Dodson has remained active in Houston's philanthropic community. She serves on the advisory board of Bo's Place, is a founding member of Impact 100, co-chairs the Duke Women's Forum and previously served on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Houston Finance Committee.

Flanders Dodson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. She is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive.

Her appointment positions Houston Parks Board to expand its philanthropic reach and strengthen community partnerships as it continues supporting transformative park, trail and greenspace projects that improve quality of life for Houstonians.