Willamette Falls Trust welcomes Lily Abood as Senior Vice President of Philanthropy

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Willamette Falls Trust announced today that Lily Abood joins the organization as Senior Vice President of Philanthropy. Abood will become part of a leadership team and growing effort focused on restoring public access to one of Oregon’s most iconic and historically significant natural landscapes.

Abood, a Portland-based nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in transformational fundraising, most recently served as Vice President of Development and Communications at Ecotrust, where she secured multiple seven-figure gifts. She is known for leading successful development campaigns and building high-performance fundraising teams.

“Lily brings deep experience building philanthropic partnerships and leading complex fundraising efforts,” said Kate Brown, President of Willamette Falls Trust. “As interest and investment in restoring access to Willamette Falls continues to grow, Lily will focus on securing the partnerships and long-term support needed to realize our vision: an iconic Oregon landscape open, inclusive, and accessible to all.”

Abood’s arrival coincides with growing momentum for Willamette Falls Trust. To date, the State of Oregon has committed $45 million to the project. Combined with increasing private philanthropic support, the Trust sees 2026 as a pivotal time for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Renewing public access to Willamette Falls is an extraordinary undertaking,” said Lily Abood. “The Trust’s unique focus on collaborative tribal leadership, place-making and ambitious resource mobilization is inspiring, and I am honored to join this team.”