Mickey Fearn

Background and Expertise:  Mickey Fearn has been a public servant and parks, recreation, and conservation professional for over 50 years, working with local, state, and national governments. Mickey is currently a Professor of Practice at North Carolina State University’s School of Natural Resources, teaching a class on diversity and equity in the field of parks and recreation.

Previously, Mickey served as the National Park Service’s Deputy Director (2008-2013), and was a long-time employee of the City of Seattle where he held a variety of positions, including: Director of Innovation, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Leadership Program, Manager of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, and Director of Communication and Citizen Engagement in the Department of Parks and Recreation. In addition,

Mickey led the creation of the architecture to end youth violence in the City of Seattle, and developed programs connecting young people with nature.  Mickey was a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 12 years, a Community Outreach Specialist for the Governor of California and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Coordinator of Special Projects, Community Outreach and Community Organization for the Mayor of Oakland (CA).