Associate Director
Lily Burnett is 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Associate Director, responsible for overseeing org-wide planning, program development, financial systems, human resources, and internal communications. She serves as an ambassador for the organization in meetings with community members, elected officials, nonprofit partners, and funders.
Lily runs our grants program and serves as a member of our leadership team and Equity Circle. She came to 1000 Friends in 2018 with a background in nonprofit operations with arts organizations including Kukatonon Children’s African Dance Troupe, Cerimon House, The Vanport Mosaic, and The Color of Now. She has a BA from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA from Willamette University.
As Governor Tom McCall famously said, “Oregon is an inspiration.” Lily is inspired by the collective vision and generosity of Oregonians. If we plan together we can create a better future for everyone in our state, so long as we focus on improving livability for those who have been systematically excluded from the high quality of life our state is known for.
Astoria is Lily’s favorite place in Oregon. The Columbia River and quaint coffee shops captured Lily’s heart! Outside of Oregon, one of her favorite places to visit is Amsterdam – row houses as far as the eye can see!
When away from work, Lily enjoys traveling with her husband, daughter, and dogs. She is also an avid reader, a casual knitter, and a karaoke regular.