Barbara Erickson, Groundbreaking Leader Of The Trustees, Dies

NEWTON, MA — Barbara Erickson, president and CEO of The Trustees of Reservation, died after a years-long battle with a rare form of cancer, the Boston-based nonprofit said Thursday. She was 42.

"Ambition, tenacity, and audacious thinking defined Barbara’s presidency," Peter Coffin, chairman of the Trustees' board of directors, said in an internal email. "She will be remembered for her strong vision and aspirations for the organization."

Executive Vice President Jocelyn Forbush will continue as acting president and CEO while the board determines what's next.

Erickson, who lived in Newton and had a home in Chatham, was born in Fort Leavenworth, KS, and grew up in Wyoming.

In 2012, she became the first female president and CEO of The Trustees, a land conservation and historic preservation nonprofit that protects green and historic space for public use. Founded in 1891, it is the country's nonprofit of its kind.

Under Erickson's stewardship, the organization saw a sharp increase in membership and doubled its revenue.

"Her tenure will be defined by growth, mission-focus, new leadership, expanded audiences, and renewed philanthropy," Coffin said.

In 2016, Erickson spearheaded the development of a plan that would by 2023 open four reservations to the public, set the groundwork for a waterfront park in Boston, address climate impacts along the coast and educate hundreds of thousands of families and youth.

Erickson is survived by her husband, Peter Torrebiarte, and their two children, Marcelo and Lucia, and her two stepchildren, Alejandro and Gabriel. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Marcelo’s and Lucia’s college funds here and here.