Our Staff
Thomas Baxter IV, President
As Alliance president, Thomas Baxter is responsible for implementing the 9/11 Trail vision, which includes completing remaining sections of the 1,300-mile September 11th National Memorial Trail. Baxter works with public and private stakeholders and partnering organizations, to make sure the 911 NMT moves forward smoothly, duties include community outreach engagement with elected and municipal leaders within the multi state network.
Prior to joining the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2018, Baxter spent 14 years as executive director of Friends of the Riverfront, where he focused on the continued development, planning and construction of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in the Pittsburgh region. His experience includes several successive positions with Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Riverlife Taskforce, Allegheny Conference and Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on public trail access as a means of economic development and community connectivity.
Write to Tom
Prior to joining the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2018, Baxter spent 14 years as executive director of Friends of the Riverfront, where he focused on the continued development, planning and construction of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in the Pittsburgh region. His experience includes several successive positions with Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Riverlife Taskforce, Allegheny Conference and Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on public trail access as a means of economic development and community connectivity.
Write to Tom
Amy Valenty, Bookkeeper
Amy Valenty joined the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2017. She has focused her accounting career on nonprofit organizations. Although each organization's mission is slightly different, they all have worked toward bettering the local community. Valenty enjoys supporting the mission and focus of the dedicated volunteers, board and staff as they work diligently to establish a system of trails, which connect these important memorial sites. In addition, she is very involved with local scout groups and uses those opportunities to pass along a love for the outdoors and a clean environment.
Marlee Gallagher, Development Director
Marlee Gallagher joined the Alliance in March 2019. A grant writer, fundraiser, and designer with over 10 years of experience, she has helped raise funds and develop messaging, identity, and community connections for non-profits, corporations, and artists around the U.S.
Gallagher studied creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh. After receiving her degree and a certificate in public and professional writing, she began consulting with local environmental nonprofits, working to develop trail systems and repair waterways, offering communications and fundraising support to help nonprofits further their missions and goals, build cohesive identities, and engage more people. Through this work, she became involved in community development to promote revitalization in Pittsburgh communities, where she lives, and beyond.
In 2017, Gallagher was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40, recognized for creativity, vision, and passion to enrich the region. Beyond her work, she volunteers with the Pitt Alumni Association and ACLU and enjoys spending time with her family and many rescue pets.
Gallagher studied creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh. After receiving her degree and a certificate in public and professional writing, she began consulting with local environmental nonprofits, working to develop trail systems and repair waterways, offering communications and fundraising support to help nonprofits further their missions and goals, build cohesive identities, and engage more people. Through this work, she became involved in community development to promote revitalization in Pittsburgh communities, where she lives, and beyond.
In 2017, Gallagher was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40, recognized for creativity, vision, and passion to enrich the region. Beyond her work, she volunteers with the Pitt Alumni Association and ACLU and enjoys spending time with her family and many rescue pets.
Lisa Watts, Communications Manager
Lisa Watts joined the Alliance in May 2020. She brings more than three decades of experience as a magazine editor and, more recently, a nonprofit communications professional, helping organizations advance their missions, raise their visibility, and build stronger engagement among key audiences. Current and past clients include trail and greenway organizations, the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
As an antidote to her sedentary work, Watts enjoys running, yoga, walking her dogs, and bicycle touring. In 2018 she took a two-month leave from her post as communications manager at the East Coast Greenway Alliance and biked the 3,000-mile Greenway, from Key West to Canada, with a friend. She and her husband, Bob Malekoff, split their time between Durham and Minnesott Beach in North Carolina.
Write to Lisa
As an antidote to her sedentary work, Watts enjoys running, yoga, walking her dogs, and bicycle touring. In 2018 she took a two-month leave from her post as communications manager at the East Coast Greenway Alliance and biked the 3,000-mile Greenway, from Key West to Canada, with a friend. She and her husband, Bob Malekoff, split their time between Durham and Minnesott Beach in North Carolina.
Write to Lisa
Leanne Janowski, Communications Associate
Leanne Janowski joined the Alliance in May 2020 after graduating from Virginia Tech, where she studied public relations. While taking rigorous communication classes geared towards sharpening writing techniques and PR practices, Janowski was also an active member of the women’s club lacrosse team and the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Last summer she interned for Wolf Trap, the National Park for Performing Arts, which provided her with additional experience with nonprofit organizations and the NPS. In her free time, you can find her outdoors either playing with her corgi, biking, or playing tennis. Inspired by nonprofits and mission-oriented organizations, Janowski is beyond excited to work with the Memorial Trial Alliance. Write to Leanne
Last summer she interned for Wolf Trap, the National Park for Performing Arts, which provided her with additional experience with nonprofit organizations and the NPS. In her free time, you can find her outdoors either playing with her corgi, biking, or playing tennis. Inspired by nonprofits and mission-oriented organizations, Janowski is beyond excited to work with the Memorial Trial Alliance. Write to Leanne