Our Team

Cinda Merrill Waldbuesser is an accomplished conservation and public-sector executive with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning the National Park Service (NPS) and the nonprofit sector. She is recognized for her strategic acumen, coalition-building skills, and ability to lead complex organizations toward mission-aligned growth and impact.

Most recently, Waldbuesser served as Deputy Regional Director for the National Park Service’s Northeast Region, providing executive leadership for national park units across 1.5 million acres from Maine to Virginia. In that role, she supported 22 park superintendents with park operations and strategic communication—among them, those managing the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Shenandoah National Park, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. She also led interagency coordination, collaborating closely with other federal agencies, state governments, and national nonprofits to advance shared stewardship priorities, strengthen operational effectiveness, and deepen connections between parks, partners, and the public.

As Superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore in Florida and First State National Historical Park in Delaware and Pennsylvania, Waldbuesser guided complex park operations that combined conservation, historic preservation, and visitor engagement. At Canaveral, she managed the park in partnership with NASA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, directing emergency response and long-term recovery efforts following multiple hurricanes and leading a strategic rebuilding plan focused on resilience and safety. At First State, she worked closely with state and nonprofit partners to lead an inclusive strategic planning process that strengthened alignment among stakeholders, enhanced visitor experiences, and expanded equitable access to park resources. Her leadership in both parks deepened collaboration across jurisdictions and improved long-term conservation outcomes.

Earlier in her NPS career, Waldbuesser served as Chief of Staff for the Northeast Region and as a Partnership and Tourism Program Specialist, where she drove regional initiatives to expand collaboration between the National Park Service, nonprofit partners, and local communities.

Before joining NPS, Waldbuesser led the Pennsylvania and Delaware Program for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing America’s national parks. During her time with NPCA, she opened the organization’s first Pennsylvania and Delaware field office and directed advocacy, policy, and public engagement strategies that built broad coalitions of partners, secured legislative and philanthropic support, and strengthened long-term protection for park resources.

Waldbuesser is known for her collaborative leadership, transparent communication, and deep respect for the role of volunteers, communities, and partners in conservation. Her career reflects a consistent focus on stewardship, access, and the power of public lands to connect and inspire.

A Philadelphia native and graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, Waldbuesser lives in Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and their dogs and cats. Outside of work, she enjoys family adventures, traveling, and spending time outdoors.