Our People & Partners

Heather McMann (she/her) joined the Groundwork USA Network in 2005 when she began working with Groundwork Lawrence, becoming Executive Director in 2009. She has spent over 25 years in the nonprofit sector building community and individual assets and holds a breadth of experience in nonprofit management, with a focus on building sustainable organizations.

Prior to joining GWL, much of her experience was with youth organizations focused on creating our communities’ next generation of community leaders.

Heather received her MBA from The Heller School of Social Policy & Management at Brandeis University and her BA from Smith College. Beyond GWUSA, she serves as the Public Director on the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Board of Directors.

Heather is honored to have received a MassINC 2022 Gateway Cities Innovation Award and Lawrence CommunityWorks 2021 Collective Action Award. To highlight the Merrimack River’s social, economic, health, and recreational assets, Heather was part of the #MRVVoyagers that kayaked the 117-mile-long Merrimack River over 4 days in 2019.

Xavier Atizol (he/him) joined Groundwork with over a decade of finance and operations experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. Xavier oversees the operational systems, supports the growth of the team through hiring and onboarding support, and provides capacity-building support to the Trusts.

In this role, he hopes to leverage his history of strengthening processes and building efficiencies to ensure Groundwork’s continued growth and sustainability. In his previous roles, Xavier has served at a national advocacy organization, a non-profit start-up accelerator, and most recently an international marketing firm, expanding his skillset with focuses on stabilizing finances, increasing efficiency, and promoting responsible growth. He’s thrilled to return to mission-based work and join the Groundwork team to work towards achieving climate equity and justice.

In his spare time, Xavier enjoys snowboarding, playing increasingly complicated board games, and challenging himself in the kitchen.

Maria Brodine (she/her) oversees capacity-building work with our affiliate network and coordinates opportunities for learning and collaboration. In addition to this work, she co-coordinates the Urban Waters Learning Network and supports capacity-building efforts for Groundwork Trusts. Her work includes writing and editing impact stories and Network blog posts, providing direct technical assistance, connecting urban waters practitioners, and advancing programs and discussions.

Maria has over ten years of experience as a freelance editor, grant writer, and curriculum designer. She earned her B.A. in English and Anthropology from San Diego State University and her M.A. in Anthropology and Education at Columbia University, specializing in science and technology studies and applied environmental anthropology. After moving to New Orleans to study the history of water management practices, she worked at Groundwork New Orleans, where she led and supported program and staff development, designed and implemented an interdisciplinary research program, and wrote grants to expand organizational capacity.

Maria volunteers with the National Park Service, the Louisiana Master Naturalist Program, and the New Orleans Water Collaborative. She also pursues her passions in art, creative writing, and music. She is a choral singer and active in the festival and art scene. She loves to travel, hike, and camp, and welcomes any opportunity to take on a new adventure. ​

Shanell Davis-Bryant (she/her) is responsible for spearheading the design and implementation of Groundwork’s Grantee Success Assistance program for the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. She has 13 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector in various roles that typically involved building a program or system from the ground up.

While new to Groundwork USA, she is not new to the Network. Shanell served as the Program Manager for Groundwork Jacksonville for nearly 5 years, managing their volunteer program, Green Team Youth Corps, and various special projects. Before joining GWUSA, Shanell worked with local nonprofits to build their operational and programmatic capacity as the Principal of her consulting firm, Sage Growth Solutions, and as the Vice President of Indigo Jacks, a communications and development firm.

Shanell holds a BA in International Affairs and a minor in Ecology from the University of Georgia, as well as an Master’s of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management and evaluation from The Ohio State University. One of her proudest moments was being named the Sierra Club Florida Chapter’s 2022 Cypress Awardee for her leadership in conservation and environmental awareness.

When not working, she is an avid lazy gardener. She enjoys experimenting with plants and techniques in her backyard and her friends’ yards. She also spends quite a bit of time working on house and car projects with her husband.

Abbie Dusseldorp (she/her) works to grow Groundwork USA’s presence nationally, support Network members, and build a community of champions committed to pursuing a future in which everyone’s neighborhood is green, healthy, and resilient.

Before joining Groundwork USA, Abbie was a development manager for Health Leads, a national non-profit that envisions a world where every person, in every community, has access to all the essentials they need to be healthy. Focused primarily on development communications, she oversaw the annual giving program, developed content for donor-facing publications, and supported efforts to build regional development operations on the west coast. Abbie began her career as a program associate with Beyond Conflict – working to leverage insights from neuroscience and social psychology to advance equity initiatives in Boston and Baltimore. Much of her career has focused at the intersection of people and places – helping to ensure that everyone has an equitable opportunity the live healthy, thriving lives.

Abbie holds a B.A. in International Relations from Northeastern University. An avid reader and traveler, she is always looking for her next adventure.

Christy Fierros, MCRP (she/her) uses her expertise in Natural Hazard Resilience, GIS, and story-telling to support the Network of Trusts with powerful geospatial resources.

Before joining Groundwork, Christy was an Associate with Clarion Associates, a land-use consulting firm helping communities of all sizes create more sustainable and socially just land use policies and practices. Christy also wrote advisory reports for the County of Fairfax, Virginia, where she leveraged geospatial information to help answer critical questions. 

Christy received her Masters in City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and her Certificate in Natural Hazards Resiliency from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023. To answer big questions, she leverages the power of geospatial data analysis. Her GIS skills, combined with her lived experience and diverse professional roles, allow her to provide forward-thinking insights to communities from coast to coast. 

She is deeply rooted in her culture and identity as a Chicanx from the Sonoran Desert. She was the first (but not last!) in her family tree to pursue higher education. Christy is guided by the values of reciprocity and regeneration. When she’s not working for a climate-resilient future, you can find her in her garden, talking to trees and birds or attending public planning meetings.

Genea Foster (they/them) is responsible for leading the Climate Safe Neighborhoods program and building the capacity of Groundwork Trusts to envision and implement local resilience projects that build community capacity to drive transformative change.

James Foster (he/him) leads Groundwork USA’s national youth programming efforts with federal partners, including the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife, and NASA. He also helps to strengthen the youth programming model across the Groundwork Network.

James comes to the Groundwork USA team after previously serving as the Youth Programs Assistant at the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service through a partnership with The Corps Network. In this role, James served as a regional liaison to the 26 conservation corps partners in the region and worked to improve institutional knowledge sharing practices and increase the connection between partners. Before joining the National Park Service, James was the AmeriCorps Director for the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast in northwest Florida, where he helped expand efforts to connect local youth to opportunities in land and resource conservation careers through the delivery of hands-on experiential learning classes and workforce development support. He began his career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, where he served as a secondary education math teacher and co-founded an adult basic education program to address widespread learning gaps.

James holds a dual bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Sociology and has also completed graduate-level classes at Hyderabad Central University in India.

James currently lives with his one-eyed dog, Otis. He loves rock climbing, hiking, and camping, and he’s on a mission to visit the highest point of each US state – he has checked 15 off the list!

Jalisa Gilmore (she/her) is responsible for supporting the implementation of community-centered strategies for building healthier neighborhoods in communities across the nation.

Before joining the Groundwork USA team, Jalisa worked for the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance. Her work primarily focused on understanding the impacts of climate change in frontline communities and uplifting community-led solutions, as well as leading and supporting community-based participatory research in NYC communities. Jalisa holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from SUNY Albany and an MPH in Environmental Health Sciences from Columbia University, specializing in the human health impacts of climate change.

Jalisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends trying new restaurants and exploring parks. She is also an avid reader and enjoys staying active, from taking dance classes to long runs.

Jeremy Hoffman Ph.D. (he/him) works to establish science-based metrics for project outcomes across resilience and workforce development programs.

Before joining Groundwork USA, Dr. Hoffman was the David and Jane Cohn Chief Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia, where he led award-winning community science, youth, and adult community resilience programs focused on extreme weather like heat and air quality, including collaborating with Groundwork RVA on several projects. Jeremy also serves as the Chapter Lead for the Southeast Chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, giving him a unique balance of community-focused, educational, and academic experiences that he will bring to Groundwork USA.

Dr. Hoffman received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 2016.

When he’s not doing climate-related work, Jeremy is riding one of his bicycles. One of his proudest accomplishments was being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2021, a highly-regarded honor for an early-career climate scientist.

Lawrence Hoffman (he/him) brings the power of maps and geospatial insight to Groundwork’s many healthy community development initiatives. He collaborates with the broader Groundwork Network to create data-driven tools that inform and communicate local initiatives while building the capacity of colleagues to communicate data that supports their work.

Lawrence comes to Groundwork USA after five years at Groundwork Milwaukee, where he implemented and maintained internal data systems, oversaw the organization’s website and other communications, and provided general IT support to staff. His transition to Groundwork USA comes as a progression of four years of GIS support provided to Groundwork USA’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods Initiative while working for Groundwork Milwaukee. Through Climate Safe Neighborhoods, Lawrence has had the opportunity to bring geographic insight and storytelling to 13 Groundwork Trusts and is excited to expand on that work in this role. Prior to working for Groundwork, Lawrence spent time as a youth educator and bicycle advocate in Milwaukee.

Lawrence has a Graduate Certificate in GIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MA in Geography from the University of Arizona, and a BA in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He currently lives with his partner and two kids. He daydreams about self-supported bicycle touring and synthwave.

Cate Mingoya- LaFortune (she/her) leads the work of the Climate, Land, and Water team. Cate is a people-centered resilience planner, community organizer, educator, parent, and cautious optimist.

Raised in an environmental justice neighborhood, she is committed to furthering a future where all people live in clean, thriving communities. She received a BA in biology from Reed College, a Master of Science Education from CUNY Lehman, and a Master of City planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  She is the author of the recently released book Climate Action for Busy People and was named a 2024 Grist Fixer.

Stacey Moran (she/her) leads the financial and administrative operations of Groundwork USA, seamlessly blending strategy with detail. She thrives on connecting financial insights with programmatic impact, uncovering the deeper story behind the numbers.

With a career dedicated to the intersection of social work, public health, and the environment, Stacey is passionate about creating healthier, more equitable communities.

She holds a Master of Social Work from Boston University and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. At home, she enjoys life with her husband and son, embracing her passions as a devoted yogi, creative cook, flower farmer, and adventurous spirit.

Meg Morgan (she/her) supports the Groundwork Network in undertaking urban forestry initiatives focused on community stewardship, workforce development, and the distribution of trees where they’re needed most.

Meg brings a background in nonprofit management and urban forestry. In a previous role leading a public-private tree planting campaign, Meg developed a network of community tree advocates that allowed the program to quadruple its planting outcomes in five years. She is a firm believer in grassroots strategies and is thrilled to join the Groundwork team in advancing greener and healthier neighborhoods.

Meg earned a master’s degree in leadership and public service from Lipscomb University and an urban forestry graduate certificate from Oregon State University. She lives with her husband, spunky Jack Russell mix, two tortoiseshell cats, and a bearded dragon. Meg enjoys bird watching, kayaking, reading science fiction and fantasy, and live music, and she volunteers with local climate activism efforts.

As the Development Manager, Rebecca Novick (she/her) amplifies Groundwork USA’s work and expertise through storytelling and network building, supports grant writing and development communications, leads corporate partnership strategy, and helps build and implement systems to improve efficiency across the organization.

Rebecca joined Groundwork in 2022 after receiving her BA in Environmental Studies from Amherst College. When she’s not working, you can find her running, reading, or continuing her hunt for the best chocolate ice cream.

Roxanne Ramírez (she/her) utilizes community engagement, storytelling best practices, and strategic communication to build and engage a strong network of champions around important causes. Her efforts focus on enhancing Groundwork USA’s visibility, building a strong online community, cultivating meaningful relationships with Groundwork Trusts, and amplifying the Network’s impact.

Roxanne brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, digital communication strategy, and campaign organizing.

Roxanne holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in Environmental Justice, Degrowth, and Political Ecology from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Before joining the GW Network, Roxanne lived in Vietnam and Thailand for 5 years, exploring and eating the most delicious food. She now lives with her husband and two Vietnamese cats. She loves kickboxing, playing board games, D&D, urban hiking, and photography.

Bruce Strouble Ph.D (he/him) works to strengthen the Groundwork network by guiding the implementation of Groundwork USA’s Climate Preparedness Land Restoration Grant Program, a three-year program to advance resilience and land restoration projects, along with similar projects and initiatives.

Strouble has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a doctorate from Walden University. His work focuses on pursuing sustainability and building healthy, safer neighborhoods by enhancing social capital in African American communities. He is a father of 4 and is committed to ensuring that all communities are united and prepared to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change.

Strouble is a 2018 recipient of the ReThink Energy Florida “Energy Innovator” award and a member of several community-based organizations. He is a founding member of Citizens for a Sustainable Future, a Fellow at the Institute for the Polarities of Democracy, a Senior Fellow of the National Environmental Leadership Program, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Rethink Energy Florida and the Moving Forward Network and was formerly the vice-chair of the Leon County Affordable Housing Council. Strouble has served as the Sustainability Program Coordinator for the City of Tallahassee and the Sustainability Coordinator at Florida A&M University. 

When he is not playing with his Adult Kickball League or tending his garden, Dr. Strouble serves as an Adjunct Professor, instructing courses in Political Science, Public Policy, and African American History. His belief that thriving democracy and community participation are key to developing sustainable communities has been a guiding premise in all his work. 

Tanner Yess’s (he/him) parent’s raised him while putting themselves through school. He grew up paddling, biking, and hiking. After earning a degree in ecology, he worked on a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. His Peace Corps service involved resource management and eco-tourism. During graduate school, Tanner helped form Cincinnati’s Tri-State Trails Coalition. He is a National Park Service Mountains to Main Street Ambassador; SHIFT Emerging Leader; recipient of the 2018 Murie Center Rising Leader Award and a newly appointed member to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council by President Biden. As a co-founder of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, and Groundwork USA’s Chief Youth and Workforce Officer, Tanner has led the creation of one of the nation’s largest youth green workforce programs and brought Climate Safe Neighborhoods to Cincinnati. Yess’ passion is creating new pathways for diverse youth to access green careers.