FOW Announces Leadership Transition as Ruffian Tittmann Leaves to Pursue a New Opportunity
PHILADELPHIA – March 4, 2025 – After nearly two decades with Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), and the past five
years as its executive director, Ruffian Tittmann will be leaving the organization to pursue a new opportunity. She will become the first executive director of The Allentown Parknership, an independent, community-driven not-for-profit organization formed in May 2024 to collaborate with the City of Allentown to expand and enhance the city’s 44 parks and playgrounds and develop recreation programs that meet the community’s diverse needs.
Tittmann joined FOW in 2006 as development director, a position she held until 2017 when she became deputy director, rising to executive director two years later following the departure of Maura McCarthy. Tittmann’s leadership has contributed to the significant growth of FOW’s capacity and its evolution as an organization. It enabled FOW to emerge from the pandemic with strong financial gains and community engagement, and culminate its centennial year with an unforgettable gala celebration and revenue of nearly $5 million.
As the principal architect of FOW’s focused action plan for habitat and infrastructure improvements, the Strategic Blueprint for 2023-2026, Tittmann’s most high-profile accomplishment was the completion of the $3.5 million Valley Green Run Restoration and the Lida Way pedestrian bridge, FOW’s largest single capital project to date, nearly a decade in the making. The park’s newest landmark immediately added safety, accessibility, and beauty to the Wissahickon.
“Ruffian led FOW to its biggest objective accomplishment ever—the Lida Way pedestrian bridge – and so much more,” said Garrett Trego, president of FOW’s board of directors. “A versatile leader and a delightful person, Ruffian trained and retained a wonderful staff, inspired trust and confidence from our board, and effectively expressed all of our gratitude to the wonderful volunteers and donors who make the park so exceptional. She led us into FOW’s next 100 years and I have no doubt she will excel in her next endeavor.”
As FOW’s board of directors conducts a formal search for a permanent executive director, Sarah Marley, development director, will assume the position in the interim, effective March 31. Marley, who joined FOW in 2010 as an intern through the Student Conservation Association, and has been a member of the senior leadership team since assuming her current role in 2018. She has worked closely with Tittmann on all of the organization’s significant programs and projects, including successful fundraising initiatives, especially the year-long 100th anniversary celebration.
“Sarah is fully prepared to take on this role and be a steady guide and support for the staff as FOW looks to its next century of conservation and prosperity, and as a huge resource for the board in their search for my successor,” said Tittmann.
“I continue to be amazed and gratified by the impact that’s been accomplished on so many levels, that would not have been possible without the incredible network of remarkable people who have championed and supported me and FOW in our work to create a resilient, ecologically healthy, and welcoming park for everyone. I was thrilled to be able to celebrate our 100th together and am confident that you all will continue to grow our amazing park,” Tittmann said.