Our People

Staff

Samantha Nelson

Executive Director

Samantha Nelson has served as Boston By Foot’s Executive Director since May 2012. Previously she was Director of Education and Public Program at the Old State House Museum, operated by the Bostonian Society. Samantha volunteers with Big Brother Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts Odyssey of the Mind, a creative problem solving program for children, and she leads the Neighborhood Slow Streets initiative in her Roxbury neighborhood. She holds a BA in history from Boston University, an MA in history from the University of Glasgow, and an MBA in nonprofit management from Simmons College.

Katrin Hawkins

Program Manager

Katrin Hawkins is a lifelong Massachusetts resident who holds a BA in Anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University and an MS in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport. Katrin is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation, and a graduate of the 2019 Class of Boston By Foot guides. Previously Katrin worked for several international and local nonprofits, after owning and operating a successful small business for nearly twenty years.

Ken Golner

Communications Coordinator

Ken Golner is a Boston native who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maine, and Master’s degrees in International Relations and Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He spent the early part of his career with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Presidential Management Intern and a Public Affairs Specialist before launching an 18-year career as an assistant athletic director for communications at two area colleges. Ken is responsible for developing and executing Boston By Foot’s communications plan, preparing email communications, maintaining our website, and working with volunteers to create social media content.

Red Kovatch

Operations Coordinator

Since 2009, Red Kovatch has been knee-deep in Boston’s rich world of history. As a docent with The Paul Revere House for over six years, she enthusiastically put to good use her BS in History from Ball State University. She dedicated almost a dozen years to the preservation and interpretation of Boston’s colonial history with The Freedom Trail Foundation, serving first as a tour guide and then in an administrative role. As Operations Coordinator with Boston By Foot, she will be happy to assist you with general inquiries, scheduling private and public tours, and managing daily office operations. You may also spot her around Somerville, juggling clubs or singing folk music - feel free to join her for both!