Dr Colette Pierce Burnette, Waterloo Greenway

Dr Colette Pierce Burnette, Waterloo Greenway

About the program and speaker:

Waterloo Greenway: For the Benefit of All

Waterloo Greenway is a 1.5-mile park system with the power to bring the entire Austin community together. Once complete, the 35 acres of connected green space – meandering from 15th St. along downtown’s eastern edge to Lady Bird Lake – will be home to a wild array of natural and cultural destinations. Amid epic gardens and rolling pathways, and a twinkling Waller Creek that links them, the environment, arts, health, and adventure will converge — and nourish authentic and uplifting experiences that reflect our city’s diversity. 

A significant public-private partnership between the City of Austin and, us, the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, this park of all parks is being planned, designed, and built in a series of geographic milestones. Meeting each one by our completion within the next 10 years is ambitious and requires support from the entire community. There’s much work yet to be done, but we’re well on our way: Symphony Square, Waterloo Park, and Moody Amphitheater are now open! Phase II started construction in May 2023.

Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette joined Waterloo Greenway as chief executive officer on April 1, 2025. Dr. Burnette is an accomplished community leader who brings a wealth of expertise in civic engagement, executive leadership, and organizational growth to lead the continued development of Waterloo Greenway.

Dr. Burnette will lead the organization’s strategic vision, overseeing sustainability, fundraising, operations, and partnerships. She will serve as Waterloo Greenway’s primary ambassador, fostering relationships with stakeholders and guiding the completion of the project.

Dr. Burnette’s career spans higher education leadership, engineering, and information technology, with roles at Huston-Tillotson University, Pierce College, Central State University, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Newfields, a cultural institution in Indianapolis.

Dr. Burnette’s many honors include The Ohio State University Outstanding Engineering Alumnus Award, The Ohio State University Lifetime Achievement Award, and the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Service’s Barbara Jordan Award. In 2021, the Austin Chamber of Commerce honored her as Austinite of the Year for her significant contributions to business, civic, and non-profit leadership across the city. In 2019, ULI Austin awarded Dr. Burnette the Visionary Award for her outstanding contributions to the Austin region.

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