Our People & Partners

  • Staff
  • Board of Directors
  • Partners
Heather McMann
Chief Executive officer
Heather McMann
Chief Executive officer

Heather (she/her) (heather@groundworkusa.org) 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 social justice 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.

She has spent most of her life living along the Merrimack River, where she lives now in Haverhill, MA with her husband, Kevin, and dog, Bones.

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Xavier Atizol
Director of Operations
Xavier Atizol
Director of Operations

Xavier Atizol (he/him) (xavier@groundworkusa.org) is the Director of Operations at Groundwork USA. He joined Groundwork with over a decade of finance and operations experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. In his role, Xavier oversees our operational systems, supports the growth of our 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.

An East coast native, Xavier now finds himself in Seattle, Washington with his wife, newborn son, and dog, Marvel. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, playing increasingly complicated board games, and challenging himself in the kitchen.

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Page barningham
Director of grants administration
Page barningham
Director of grants administration

Page Barningham (she/her) (page@groundworkusa.org) is originally from Florida and currently resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. She holds a Bachelors in Science from Saint Leo University, Florida and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. Page has been a grant writer, registered sanitarian, health researcher and facilitator for over twenty years in the public sector, and has made it her live’s work to help engage and empower communities to improve where they live, work, and play.

Page loves coffee, tea, hiking, hammocks and taking her family on agritourism adventures across the country.

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Maria Brodine
Director of Network Support and Learning
Maria Brodine
Director of Network Support and Learning

Maria Brodine (she/her) (maria@groundworkusa.org) is Groundwork USA’s Director of Network Support and Learning. Based in New Orleans, she oversees capacity-building work with the Trusts and coordinates opportunities for learning and collaboration across the network. 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 environmental justice 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 New Orleans festival and art scene. She loves to travel, hike, and camp, and welcomes any opportunity to take on a new adventure. ​

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THERESA CHONG
Senior accounting Manager
THERESA CHONG
Senior accounting Manager

Theresa Chong (she/her) (theresa@groundworkusa.org) is the Senior Accounting Manager at Groundwork USA. In this role, she supports the Operations and Finance teams by maintaining successful business practices, ensuring the efficiency of operations, and implementing strategies to support growth within the organization.

She brings over a decade of accounting management experience from multiple industries, from a tech startup to a national beverage brand. In her career, her primary focus has been directing accounting operations, guiding financial controls, and bookkeeping for exciting and dynamic companies. Inspired by the mission of Groundwork USA, she has discovered a new meaningful purpose by joining agents of social and climate justice.

A native Texan, she has recently been exploring the national parks in her state and loves to hike. She is a sci-fi enthusiast, enjoys hosting barbecues, and would like to pet your dog.

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aBBIE dUSSELDORP
Chief dEVELOPMENT AND cOMMUNICATIONS Officer
aBBIE dUSSELDORP
Chief dEVELOPMENT AND cOMMUNICATIONS Officer

Abbie Dusseldorp (she/her)(abbie@groundworkusa.org) joined Groundwork USA  in February 2020. In her role, she works to grow GW 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. Originally from upstate New York, she now lives in the Boston area with her soon to be husband and cat. An avid reader and traveler, she is always looking for her next adventure.

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christy fierros
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
christy fierros
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst

Christy Fierros, MCRP (she/her) (christy@groundworkusa.org) is the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst. She 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.

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Genea foster
Director of Climate Resilience and Land Use
Genea foster
Director of Climate Resilience and Land Use

Genea Foster (they/them) (genea@groundworkusa.org) is Groundwork USA’s Director of Climate Resilience and Land Use. In this role, Genea is responsible for  leading the Climate Safe Neighborhoods program and building the capacity of Groundwork Trusts to envision and implement local climate resilience projects that build community power to drive systemic change.

Genea was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and their Afro-Caribbean ancestry has shaped their deep commitment to environmental and social justice. Genea is an urban planner and organizer who has worked with youth, communities of color, and municipalities towards climate resilience, health equity, and food sovereignty through planning, organizing, and popular education. In their last role at the Center for Urban Pedagogy, Genea managed technical assistance and professional development programs for community organizers, graphic designers, and government teams to develop collaborative community-engaged design projects that advance equity and civic engagement in marginalized communities.
Genea holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Biology from Wellesley College and a Master’s in City Planning from MIT. Outside of work, Genea enjoys cooking and sharing meals in community, being surrounded by trees and bodies of water, doing farmy things, and making art.
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James Foster
Senior Manager of Youth programs
James Foster
Senior Manager of Youth programs

James Foster (he/him) (james@groundworkusa.org) joined Groundwork USA as the Senior Manager of Youth Programs in 2022. In this role, he 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 in the mountains outside of Denver, CO, with his one-eyed dog Otis. He loves all the adventures that can be found right outside his door – rock climbing, hiking, camping, and so much more. He’s on a mission to visit the highest point of each US state and has checked 15 off the list!

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Jalisa Gilmore
Senior Manager of Environmental justice programs
Jalisa Gilmore
Senior Manager of Environmental justice programs

Jalisa Gilmore (she/her) (jalisa@groundworkusa.org) is Groundwork USA’s Senior Manager of Environmental Justice Programs. In her role, she is responsible for supporting the implementation of equity-centered strategies for addressing legacies of injustice and creating green, healthy neighborhood environments in communities across the nation.
Before joining the Groundwork USA team, Jalisa worked for the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, a non-profit city-wide membership network linking grassroots organizations from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color in their struggle for environmental justice. 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’s environmental justice 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 in NYC where she’s lived for the past seven years. She is also an avid reader and enjoys staying active, from taking dance classes to long runs.

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Jeremy hoffman, PH.D
Director of Climate Justice and Impact
Jeremy hoffman, PH.D
Director of Climate Justice and Impact

Jeremy Hoffman Ph.D. (he/him) (jeremy@groundworkusa.org) is the new Director of Climate Justice and Impact at Groundwork USA, establishing science-based metrics for project outcomes across climate 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 climate resilience programs focused on extreme 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 in the James River Park System in Richmond, VA. 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.

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Lawrence Hoffman
director of GIS and Data Services
Lawrence Hoffman
director of GIS and Data Services

Lawrence Hoffman (he/him) (lawrence@groundworkusa.org) joined Groundwork USA as the Senior Manager of GIS and Data Services. His role is to bring the power of maps and geospatial insight to Groundwork’s many environmental justice, climate resilience, and equitable brownfield redevelopment initiatives. He will collaborate 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 is currently stationed in Iowa City with his partner and two kids. He daydreams about self-supported bicycle touring and synthwave.

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CATE MINGOYA – Lafortune
chief Officer of Climate Resilience and Land Use
CATE MINGOYA – Lafortune
chief Officer of Climate Resilience and Land Use

Cate Mingoya- LaFortune (she/her) serves as Groundwork USA’s Chief Officer of Climate Resilience and Land Use, leading the work of the Climate, Land, and Water team. Cate is a people-centered climate adaptation 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.

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STACEY MORAn
Chief Operations Officer
STACEY MORAn
Chief Operations Officer

Stacey Moran (she/her)(stacey@groundworkusa.org) joined Groundwork USA in January 2018. In her role as the COO, Stacey is responsible for organizing and overseeing the organization’s daily financial and administrative operations.

Before joining the Groundwork USA team, Stacey worked for PowerCorps PHL, an AmeriCorps workforce development program designed to support the City of Philadelphia’s environmental stewardship initiatives, youth violence prevention, and workforce development priorities. Stacey oversaw the provision of social work and supportive services to young adults ages 18 to 26. Stacey’s career has focused on the intersection of social work, public health, and environmental justice.

Stacey holds a Master of Social Work from Boston University and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and son, and is an active yogi, creative cook, flower farmer, and adventurer.

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Meg Morgan
senior manager of urban forestry programs
Meg Morgan
senior manager of urban forestry programs

Meg Morgan (she/her) (meg@groundworkusa.org) is Groundwork USA’s Senior Manager of Urban Forestry Programs. In her role, Meg supports the Groundwork Network in undertaking urban forestry initiatives focused on community stewardship, workforce development, and the equitable distribution of trees.

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 equity and 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 in Nashville, Tennessee, 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.

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MOEY NEWBOLD
Senior Manager of Climate Resilience and Land Use
MOEY NEWBOLD
Senior Manager of Climate Resilience and Land Use
Moey Newbold (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Climate Resilience and Land Use. She is responsible for supporting the Climate Safe Neighborhoods program and building the capacity of frontline communities to envision and implement equitable development initiatives for more resilient and healthy communities. 
Moey’s commitment to people-centered environmental justice began during her college years, where she was a leader in the youth climate movement. She returned to her hometown of Bend, Oregon to organize for change at the local level. As the Director of Urban Planning at Central Oregon LandWatch, she led a multi-year campaign to engage the public on land use planning. Using human-centered design practices and arts-based engagement, she built coalitions of diverse community partners and worked alongside residents to develop a more sustainable and equitable vision for the city’s future. 
Moey holds a B.A. in Political Science from Vassar College and completed advanced training in human-centered design and nonprofit management at the Mid-Career Institute for Environmental Leadership and the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy. Now living in Baltimore, Moey has fallen in love with charm city. She enjoys building community with her neighbors, exploring the city by bike, and taking part in the vibrant arts, culture, and food scene.
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Rebecca Novick
development manager
Rebecca Novick
development manager

As Groundwork USA’s Development Manager, Rebecca Novick (she/her) (rebecca@groundworkusa.org) 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 with a wide range of experience working with environmental and climate-focused organizations, including a climate tech communications agency, Westchester County’s Energy Conservation and Sustainability department, and an energy efficiency technology startup. She also served as an environmental educator at Queens County Farm Museum, led programming for college students with the Amherst College Office of Environmental Sustainability, and mentored young climate activists through national climate advocacy organizations. Rebecca understands how to wear many hats professionally and loves being part of a growing, nimble team.

Rebecca received her BA in Environmental Studies from Amherst College and now lives in New York City. She is a dedicated climate activist, a runner, and a chocolate ice cream enthusiast.

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Roxanne Ramirez
senior manager of communications
Roxanne Ramirez
senior manager of communications

Roxanne Ramírez (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Communications. Roxanne utilizes community engagement, storytelling best practices, and strategic communication to cultivate a strong network of supporters. Her efforts aim to boost Groundwork USA’s brand visibility, nurture an online community, foster meaningful relationships with Groundwork Trusts, and enhance movement-building systems.

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 family, Roxanne lived in Vietnam and Thailand for 5 years. She now lives in San Francisco, CA, with her husband and two Vietnamese cats. She loves kickboxing, playing board games, D&D, urban hiking, and photography.

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Bruce Strouble Ph.D
Senior Manager for Equitable Climate Resilience Projects
Bruce Strouble Ph.D
Senior Manager for Equitable Climate Resilience Projects

Bruce Strouble Ph.D (he/him) is the Senior Manager of Equitable Climate Resilience Programs. Dr. Strouble will work 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 equitable climate resilience and land restoration projects, along with similar projects and initiatives.

Strouble is originally from Pasadena, California, but is a longtime resident of Tallahassee, Florida. He 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 environmental justice by enhancing social capital in African American communities. He is a father of 4 and a self-described “environmental justice advocate” 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. (bruce@groundworkusa.org)

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Rebecca tamiru
Senior Manager of Community Resilience Projects
Rebecca tamiru
Senior Manager of Community Resilience Projects
Rebecca Tamiru (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Community Resilience Projects. She leads Groundwork’s participation in the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program and supports capacity building and technical assistance initiatives.
Rebecca has over 8 years of experience at the intersection of climate change, social justice, and public engagement. Before joining Groundwork, she worked as the Program Manager at the Climate Advocacy Lab where she spearheaded climate justice grantmaking, built impactful training programs, and facilitated capacity building and collaboration across the climate movement. She likes to bring compassion, authenticity, and integrity to her work and relationships.
Rebecca holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology of Global Health from Georgetown University and a Climate Change and Health Certificate from the Yale School of Public Health. Originally from Alexandria, VA, she now lives in Oakland, CA and loves coffee, house music, rivers, and community gardens.
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Natalia turkel
Communications Manager
Natalia turkel
Communications Manager

Natalia Turkel (she/her) is the Communications Manager. In her role, Natalia supports Groundwork USA’s technical assistance programs by nurturing existing partnerships, expanding engagement, uplifting stories, and conducting strategic communication assessments.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Environment where she studied the intersection of environmental justice and communication.
Natalia recently moved to D.C. and is excited to lay roots in the community! She holds her culture close to her heart and proudly celebrates her Ecuadorian-American identity. She was born and raised in Miami but her family is from Riobamba, in the Andes mountains. She is also an artist and prioritizes using natural elements in her crafting. She is currently experimenting with local leaves and wood, creating leaf mobiles and trying to figure out how to make natural sealants.
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tanner yess
chief youth and workforce officer
tanner yess
chief youth and workforce officer

Tanner Yess’s (he/him) (tanner@groundworkusa.org) parents 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.

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Sarah Calderon
PResident
Sarah Calderon
PResident

Sarah Calderon is the Workforce Director at Groundwork Richmond, California, and previously held the position of Executive Director at Groundwork Richmond for seven years. She retired from Groundwork Richmond in 2018 and joined the board of directors, serving until March 2022. Sarah has returned to Groundwork Richmond in a limited engagement to launch the new pilot Workforce Development program.

An advocate for youth and communities of color for over 35 years, she has also worked with organizations throughout the SF Bay Area in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, and fund development. Sarah was executive director of the Berkeley Dispute Resolution Service and at Childhood Matters.

Sarah is a skilled mediator and facilitator, certified at Sonoma State University, in conflict resolution. She has served on the boards of the National Association for Community Mediation, and the Center for California Homeowner Association Law.

Sarah loves the outdoors, travel, food, and spending time with her family and her big puppy, Bravo.

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Todd Reynolds
vice president
Todd Reynolds
vice president

Todd Reynolds is the Executive Director of Groundwork New Orleans. He has over 30 years of extensive experience in education, youth development & advocacy, project management, and design build construction. Todd has spent the majority of his career advocating for young people. He has a rock solid commitment to educating and empowering youth from under-served communities throughout the country.

Todd has worked within the New Orleans community for the past 13 years. As Principal of the NET Charter High School, he played a major role in the expansion of the School’s Network by helping guide the organization’s development and implementation of three (3) satellite schools specifically designed to work with At-Risk and Out of School Youth in multiple locations of New Orleans.

As the Executive Director of Groundwork New Orleans, through a mixture of Community Based, Foundation, and Public-Private relationships he has greatly expanded the Trust’s operating budget,  programs, capacity, and public presence.

Todd holds a Masters of Science in Community Economic Development from the University of Southern New Hampshire and is certified in National Green Infrastructure (NGCIP) as well as Quality Control for Government Contractors through the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He is currently studying for the Louisiana State Horticulture license to further enhance Groundwork New Orleans Capacity.

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Donald Pomeroy
TREASURER
Donald Pomeroy
TREASURER

Donald Pomeroy currently serves as the treasurer of the Groundwork USA Board, having first been elected in 2013.

Donald has 30 years of project-technical and overall business financial-managerial experience in the science-engineering consulting industry. As a technical practitioner, he is a Certified Professional Geologist and licensed waste site clean-up professional in MA (CPG), with more than experience in directing remediation design, construction, and operations-maintenance programs throughout the Eastern and Gulf Coast states.

His operational and business leadership positions have included serving as Director and Treasurer/Chief Operating Officer of Geologic Services Corporation (GSC), a professional environmental consulting firm in Massachusetts that was acquired by Kleinfelder in 2005. Through 2015, Donald served with Kleinfelder, where he was an elected Board member; Senior Vice President; and held leadership and management positions, including for Kleinfelder’s Eastern Division and Texas-Gulf Coast Region. Donald holds a B.A. in Geology from Dartmouth College.

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STACEY TRIPLETT
Secretary
STACEY TRIPLETT
Secretary

Stacey Triplett, secretary of the Groundwork USA Board of Directors, is a dedicated instructor. Whether leading African American and Latino households to greater financial capabilities in future homebuyer workshops or developing college students at Portland Community College where she teaches state and local government, Stacey uses a learner-centered, equity lens to evaluate her actions. No stranger to mentoring, she seeks to elevate learning in all environments and values peer-based, culturally specific, bilingual approaches to personal and professional development.

Stacey’s public service background includes regional as well as local roles. She has focused on urban habitats, workplace health and safety, public transportation, public water and sewer system improvements, and inventive recycling technologies. Each area supports Stacey’s holistic view of what’s required for effective community development and asset-building.

Most recently, Stacey served as Metro’s Senior Managing Analyst in the Sustainability Center. She has more than ten years experience with the regional government of the greater Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Her past work at Metro includes creation of an interdisciplinary team for urban habitat protection as well as start-up of organization-wide strategic initiatives. She led Intertwine Alliance efforts in the conservation education community, providing service to educational program providers who shared a focus on environmental literacy of residents.

Stacey is a member of the Urban Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board. She is active in local democracy reform efforts as well, most recently supporting Honest Elections Seattle as an exciting reform in the funding of candidates for local government elected positions.

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Robert Baron
AT-LARGE MEMBER
Robert Baron
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Rob Baron joined the Groundwork USA board in 2006, and has served on the Board of Directors of Groundwork Hudson Valley (formerly Groundwork Yonkers) since 2005. With degrees from Columbia University and Hamilton College, Rob has held positions at organizations working in higher education finance, job training, social services, and housing. He spends much of his volunteer time supporting mass transit and active transportation in the New York region, and recently served as co-lead on a local solar energy program.

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cindy chang
AT-LARGE MEMBER
cindy chang
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Cindy Chang, Executive Director of Groundwork Denver, joined the Groundwork USA board in 2023. She has been serving Groundwork Denver in various roles since 2010, including as a volunteer, Board, and staff member.

Cindy has a background in nonprofit management and philanthropy, and has a deep passion for the environment. She earned a Masters in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management and a Masters in Environmental Management at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She also has a B.A. from Tufts University.

In her free time, she enjoys yoga, walking, and her two cats.

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doug evans
AT-LARGE MEMBER
doug evans
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Douglas Evans re-joined the Groundwork Network as a member of the Groundwork USA Board in 2024. Inspired by a love of nature and the outdoors, and a commitment to expanding access to these vital resources in under-resourced neighborhoods, Doug spent most of his career working at the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program. While in that role, Douglas initiated the development of the Groundwork Program in 1995, leading to a collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, many local communities, and multiple partners to launch the Groundwork Network in the late 1990s. As the Groundwork Program Manager at NPS, he provided over two decades of strategic leadership, day to day support and can-do enthusiasm to the growing network of Groundwork Trusts. Doug retired in 2018, but continued his commitment to protecting green spaces as treasurer of the Provincetown Conservation Trust and by volunteering at other local organizations. Doug holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelors in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Vermont.

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oded Holzinger
AT-LARGE MEMBER
oded Holzinger
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Oded Holzinger is a climate resilience professional that has focused his career on promoting holistic and equity-centered strategies for supporting the communities that are most exposed to the impacts of climate change and to environmental injustice. As Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley, Oded provides strategic leadership to Groundwork in these times of growing need and opportunities in the climate and environmental justice fields. Previously, Oded spent four years working as the organization’s Climate Resilience Program Manager, leading projects such as The Yonkers Greenway, The Saw Mill River Coalition, and Climate Safe Neighborhoods. Prior to becoming Executive Director, he worked for several months as a Climate Adaptation Specialist for AKRF, a NYC based environmental planning and engineering consultancy firm, supporting city governments in the implementation of climate adaptation policy and design strategies.

Originally from Israel, he began his career as an outdoor educator, working with underserved communities and utilizing their local natural resources as an educational and therapeutic asset. This is when he first started developing his passion for promoting green, sustainable, and resilient cities.

Oded holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College with a focus on environmental planning and a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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DEBORAH KOBES
AT-LARGE MEMBER
DEBORAH KOBES
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Deborah Kobes is a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute focused on the expansion of diverse, inclusive, and high-quality apprenticeship programs that facilitate economic empowerment. Throughout her career, Deborah has worked on initiatives at the juncture of the green economy and workforce development. Before joining Urban, Deborah was the interim vice president for the Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning at Jobs for the Future. She was the first employee of the Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national coalition of diverse organizations united around the goal of greening metropolitan areas in ways that further democracy and economic opportunity. Kobes received a PhD in urban political economy and governance from MIT and a BSE in civil engineering from Princeton University.

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wenda tai
AT-LARGE MEMBER
wenda tai
AT-LARGE MEMBER

Wenda Tai (she/her) joined the Groundwork USA Board in 2024, inspired by the organization’s collaborative, networked approach to environmental justice, and its commitment to community-based engagement and empowerment. Wenda retired in 2022 after more than four decades in the social justice movement. With degrees from Harvard University and Barnard College, Wenda has worked as a non-profit financial consultant and served as CFO/COO and special programs manager in civil rights, higher education, housing and economic development organizations. She started her career as a community organizer in New York Chinatown. Her pro bono work includes serving on the boards of multiple cultural and social justice organizations. Wenda currently lives in Portland, Oregon and enjoys nature walks and the local theater and music scenes.

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MICKEY FEARN
Emeritus Member
MICKEY FEARN
Emeritus Member

Mickey Fearn served on the Groundwork USA Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018 and as its President from 2015 to 2018 A parks, recreation, and conservation professional for over 45 years, he is currently Professor of Practice at North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, and was formerly the Deputy Director for Communications and Community Assistance at the National Park Service (NPS), where he worked to increase the participation of currently under-represented groups in our parks.

Prior to joining NPS, Mickey was at Seattle Parks and Recreation, developing and implementing programs to connect urban youth to the natural world while promoting personal responsibility and healthy lifestyles. He also managed Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and led a range of successful community renewal programs as director of the Seattle’s Innovation Project and executive director of the Neighborhood Leadership Program.

At NCSU, in addition to teaching classes, Mickey works with the College of Natural Resources’ (CNR’s) Community for Diversity in Natural Resources to address its challenges regarding diversity and inclusion and engaging in cross-campus diversity activities. He is also working with local government and non-profits to engage communities of color in ecology and environmental activities, and connecting federal agencies to the important research and work that CNR is doing.

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DENEINE POWELL
 emerita Member
DENEINE POWELL
 emerita Member

Deneine Powell

Deneine Powell is currently the Executive Director at the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), where she leads their efforts to support members pursuing transformative change to make communities more equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Powell is a nonprofit executive and a climate solutions expert with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience in environmental conservation, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Prior to joining USDN, Deneine Christa held roles as an Environmental and Climate Program Director at African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, FUSE Corps Executive Fellow on Climate and Equity with the City of Milwaukee,  National Program Director with ecoAmerica, President and CEO of African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee, and  Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee.

Deneine received her MS in Organizational Leadership from Marian University and her BA from the University of Minnesota. And when she’s not working, you can find her in her garden in Menomonee Falls, WI with her husband, son, and daughter, and their dog Harper and cat Henry.

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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

US EPA, BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM &
 US EPA, OFFICE OF WATER

US EPA, BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM &
US EPA, OFFICE OF WATER

US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

THE JPB FOUNDATION

THE JPB FOUNDATION

THE KRESGE FOUNDATION

THE KRESGE FOUNDATION

NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

PARKS FOR ALL

PARKS FOR ALL

https://www.hydroflask.com/parks-for-all

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NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION