August 3, 2026
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation recently welcomed Kristina Ramsey as Director of Engagement & External Affairs for the nonprofit and Kimberly Petersen as the project coordinator for its Blue Ridge Rising program.
Ramsey will lead outreach and collaboration efforts in Virginia to build relationships with community leaders, elected officials, partners, donors, and supporters while expanding awareness of the organization’s mission and impact.
Petersen will help shape and advance innovative strategies that connect Parkway visitors with neighboring communities, expand economic opportunities, support local businesses, and foster sustainable growth in the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kristina Ramsey and Kimberly Petersen as we create even deeper connections with Parkway’s neighboring communities and leaders,” said Carolyn Widner, CEO of the Foundation.
A native of Buena Vista, Ramsey has spent a lifetime exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding mountains, where she developed a great appreciation for the outdoors and the region’s communities.
“I’m looking forward to building relationships, meeting the people who care so deeply about this place, hearing their stories, and working together to ensure the national park and the communities it connects continue to thrive for generations,” Ramsey said.
She joins the Foundation after nearly a decade with the City of Buena Vista, Virginia, leading economic development and communications efforts. She also served as Chair of Rockbridge Outdoors, helping bring communities together around outdoor recreation and regional collaboration. Ramsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with additional education in psychology, marketing, and communications.
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is the backdrop of many cherished memories, from childhood trips to Mabry Mill to an unforgettable hike to the top of Sharp Top Mountain with my future husband,” Peterson said. “I’m excited to join the Blue Ridge Rising initiative and help preserve the unique beauty, history, and communities that make this region so special.”
A resident of Bedford, Va., Petersen built a career in regional tourism, strategic marketing, and administrative leadership before joining the Foundation. Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant/Chief of Staff for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission after more than a decade working in regional travel marketing. She also holds an Associate Project Manager certification from the Project Management Institute.
“With her travel marketing experience, project management skills, and connections to both states, she is ideally suited to enhance our tourism initiatives throughout the Parkway corridor,” said George Ivey, Director of Blue Ridge Rising.
Blue Ridge Rising unites the 29 gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway around a shared vision for connection, stewardship, and growth. Guided by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the initiative turns local priorities into coordinated regional action, helping communities strengthen economies, enrich visitor experiences, and invite Parkway travelers to discover the towns and people that define the region’s character.