Caroline Ralston

Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Caroline Ralston is an enthusiastic and influential leader whose marketing expertise, creativity, and tireless work ethic have accelerated and sustained growth for organizations. Prior to joining the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in 2024, she led marketing, communications, and membership and served on the senior leadership team at Mt. Cuba Center, a botanic garden in Delaware specializing in native plant conservation, research, and education, and at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah, one of the largest aquariums in the United States. In all of these nonprofit roles, Caroline is most proud of how her work connects people with nature and inspires conservation.

Before transitioning to nonprofits, Caroline worked in marketing and public relations agencies in New York City and Salt Lake City where her clients included national brands and household names such as Martha Stewart and Moet Hennessy Estates & Wines. Additionally, she spent nearly a decade working for three different New York City and Philadelphia-based publishers where she led several national best-selling book campaigns.

Throughout her career, Caroline’s creative storytelling, analytical eye, strategic planning, and tactical execution have made significant and lasting impacts. Her strengths include conceptualizing and implementing integrated marketing strategies and campaigns through external communications, social media, branding, advertising, and events.

Caroline lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. Her favorite activities are hiking, skiing, gardening, and walking her Aussiedoodle.