Great Parks Forever Announces New Board Members and Leadership

Great Parks Forever, the philanthropic partner for Great Parks, has welcomed Shawn Masterson, Tina Ross and David Walter as new members for its board of directors, while also selecting its new board leaders for 2026.

“We are grateful that these community leaders are giving of their time and expertise to guide Great Parks Forever in our work to preserve and protect the outdoor spaces that benefit us all,” said Tom Carleton, chief of philanthropy for Great Parks.

Shawn Masterson is the Cincinnati commercial market president for First Financial Bank. He previously served on the board of trustees for the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. Shawn is a resident of Cincinnati’s East Walnut Hills neighborhood. 

Tina Ross served on the executive committee of the board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati and termed out in 2025. She is currently serving on the board of The East End Adult Education Center. She recently retired from her role as executive director of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation, a position she held for a decade. She lives in Indian Hill.

David Walter is vice president of sales for Marathon Health and has more than 30 years of experience in the group health and benefits industry. He also serves on the board of the Dan Beard Council for Scouting America. David lives in Terrace Park.

In addition, the Great Parks Forever board of directors has selected its leadership team for 2026. Jeff Yund, chief growth and strategy officer for trak group, will remain as president of the board, a role in which he has served since 2024. T.J. Norris, director of technology transformation for Lithko Contracting, is the new board secretary. Tony Keckeis, vice president of finance and accounting for Foxhole Equity, is the new board treasurer.

Great Parks Forever adds private philanthropy as a resource to help achieve the public’s goals for Great Parks, stewarding natural and financial resources for all, forever. Great Parks Forever has raised $25.6 million towards an ambitious goal of $50 million to supplement taxpayer funding and enable major initiatives now moving forward from the Great Parks Comprehensive Master Plan.