CANDIDATE PROFILE
POSITION TITLE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PRIMARY LOCATION
CREATED FOR LOS ANGELES
TREEPEOPLE
about treepeople
Trees need People. People need Trees.
Founded in 1973, TreePeople is now one of the largest environmental organizations headquartered in Southern California. They have inspired, engaged, and supported more than 3 million people to take action for the environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and neighborhoods. Their unique, engaging, and proven model empowers communities to plant a more resilient future and take personal responsibility for greening their neighborhoods. Through onthe-ground research and educational programs, TreePeople shares knowledge with policymakers, students and educators, and communities around the world.
After fires burn, TreePeople reforests. When schools are covered in concrete, TreePeople creates green schoolyards. When communities experience food insecurity, TreePeople donates fruit trees. When California is drought-stricken, TreePeople designs solutions to capture rainwater. As the world faces increasing threats from a more hostile climate, TreePeople helps create actionable solutions.
The mission
TreePeople’s mission is to inspire, engage, and support people to take personal responsibility for the environment, making it safe, healthy, fun, and sustainable. We share our process as a model for the world.
Enthusiastic Welcoming Respectful Harmonious Committed
what They do
FORESTR EDUCATION
TreePeople’s Environmental Education programs inspire, engage, and support students, teachers, and communities to gain skills of environmental and climate literacy. Through a unique experiential framework, they foster deeper connections with the natural world and prepare participants to be changemakers in their communities.
TreePeople’s forestry prog communities with the tools, plants, and education necessary to make Southern California’s urban and mountain canopies greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient. They host thousands of volunteers each year to plant and care for our environment.
on Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains offers nature trails, experiential education, and cultural programming and is home to TreePeople’s Native Plant Nursery.
what They do
treepeople land trust
They steward more than 3,000 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains. Programs include public recreation, environmental education, scientific research, and more.
school greening
They create green learning environments that enhance academic achievement, support health and well-being, and create safe places to play in nature. Through partnerships with school communities and districts, they advocate for, implement, and manage school greening projects to protect students from extreme heat, air pollution, and polluted water.
POLICY AND RESEARCH
TreePeople works from the policy level to the grassroots level to facilitate actionable research and sciencebased policies, incentives, and applicable demonstration programs to transform Southern California utilizing nature-based solutions.
Position Overview
The CEO of TreePeople will strive to advance environmental resilience while upholding principles of environmental equity. With a robust annual budget of $22 million and a dedicated team of 180 staff members, this leadership role is pivotal In steering TreePeople’s transformative agenda across multiple programs and revenue streams . Embracing environmental justice as a leading principle, the Incoming CEO will lead Initiatives prioritizing marginalized communities living with fewer green spaces, working to achieve a shared vision of creating safer, healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities.
The CEO’s mandate includes operational oversight to spearhead initiatives that fosters inclusive partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including local communities civic leaders, and environmental advocates. Through strategic effortes such as reforestation In fire-effected areas and the creation of green spaces In urban neighborhoods, the CEO will boldly lead TreePeople Into the future and fulfill our mission to create a more just and resiliant world, where the benefits of nature are shared by all.
organizational priorities
Strategic Planning
Fundraising & Donor Cultivation
New Donor Relationships
Growth in Unrestricted Funding
Organizational Strategy
Greater Community Engagement, Awareness, and Advocacy
Staff Leadership
Board Recruiting & Development
First Year GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Conduct a listening tour with Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Develop a strategic plan, including financial planning, for the organization.
Cultivate relationships with new and existing donors and community members.
Foster a collaborative and supportive workplace, focusing on leadership development and communications.
roles & responsibilities
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Works with the Board of Directors to develop, drive, and implement the organization’s strategic plan, mission, and vision.
Creates and manages an environment that recruits, retains, and supports quality staff, cultivating a culture of professional growth and leadership building.
Serves as the principal communicator and advocate with various governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
Consistently solicits, considers, and incorporates the input and feedback of all organization members and stakeholders.
Ensures that all business is conducted in compliance with established policies, guidelines, and by-laws by upholding the highest ethical standards. Manages daily operations and implements Board approved policies and programs.
roles & responsibilities
community engagement
Represents TreePeople at local, regional, state, and national meetings to promote the organization’s mission and vision.
Develops and maintains a network of peers through regional and national professional organizations. Oversees the development and execution of community events and enhances community-wide visibility and recognition.
Assists in identifying and recruiting established and emerging business and community leaders to serve as volunteers, providing guidance and support to effectively contribute to the organization's success. Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local government officials, Board members, affiliates, and community partners.
roles & responsibilities
financial management
In collaboration with the CFO, develops and manages financial planning, forecasting, and analytical efforts, ensuring alignment with the overall mission, vision, and organizational strategy.
Responsible for the organization’s financial health, including funding and expense management. Develops and executes the annual budget and supervises day-to-day fiscal management.
Plays a leading role in the effort to diversify the revenue streams through soliciting private donations.
roles & responsibilities
board administration & support
Fosters effective collaboration with the Board of Directors and between the Board and staff.
Empowers and supports the Board to fulfills governance functions, Including planning, organizing, and executing Board and executive committee meetings with the Board Chair.
Identifies, assesses, and Informs the Board of Directors of Internal and external Issues Impacting the organization.
qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. nonp business administration, or a related discipline
Minimum of ten (10) years in management and including at least five (5) years of organizationa profit setting.
Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving s planning while addressing daily operational ne
Strong strategic thinking and problem skills wi the organization’s and staff’s needs.
Demonstrated success managing teams, supe a productive, motivated work environment.
Successful track record of managing funding r foundations, donors, or other funding entities.
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with environments with a strong understanding of a building, and the legislative process.
Extensive experience in nonprofit managemen and accounting, financial statements, financial and donor relations.
Vision for long-range planning while focusing o of the organization.
A deep commitment to the mission and core v
compensation & benefits
Salary is between $200,000–$250,000 and benefits include employerpaid medical coverage for employees, optional dental and vision plans, life insurance, generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays, plus access to supplemental benefits.
the ideal candidate
The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a strategic mindset, a penchant for innovation, and a collaborative spirit. They should possess exceptional communication skills, capable of inspiring and engaging diverse stakeholders across the community. A natural influencer, they thrive on fostering relationships and creating a shared vision for nature conservation and community engagement.
Rooted in nonprofit organizational management, the candidate brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, external relations and leadership. They should have a proven track record in strategic growth, securing funds from various sources including foundations, corporations, major donors, and government partnerships.
The ideal candidate should excel in team building, stakeholder engagement, and organizational strategy, fostering a cohesive and engaged board and staff. They should prioritize community engagement, actively connecting with major community leaders, politicians, donors, and volunteers to expand TreePeople's impact and protect natural resources effectively. The ideal CEO is a visionary leader dedicated to measurable impact, strong culture, and advancing urban forestry and environmental justice.
ABOUT LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles County is a vast and varied geographic entity. It includes a group of inland valleys, a coastal plain separated by low mountains that are interspersed with steep passes, an arc of still higher Mountains, and a long seacoast. Nearly half of the county is taken up by mountain chains most of them running east-west that have a dynamic history of earthquakes, firestorms, and mudslides. To the north and northeast are the massive and sprawling San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. Stretching in Front of them and more or less in parallel lines from west to east are the Santa Monica Mountains, Puente Hills, Repetto Hills, and San Jose Hills. These chains delineate the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino valleys. Farther south, running roughly between Orange and Riverside counties, are the Santa Ana Mountains
Los Angeles, the heart of Southern California, became a worldclass city very recently. At the start of the 20th century, it was considered merely “a large village.” This ascendancy is all the more remarkable considering that the city originally lacked some of the essential building blocks associated with cityhood, such as a natural harbor. Yet it overcame natural deficiencies and established itself as an important center of commerce, agriculture, tourism, and industry. For more than a century it has been indelibly associated with a benign climate, extensive leisure, and outdoor recreation, as well as the special aura of celebrity associated with Hollywood. The lifestyle of Los Angeles residents (who are called Angelenos) relies on the automobile, idealizes the single-family dwelling, and favors informality. With notable exceptions, the skyline is primarily horizontal rather than vertical. Los Angeles is a place of extraordinary ethnic and racial diversity, owing largely to immigration.
the search process
Envision Consulting has been retained by TreePeople to conduct the search for their CEO. We follow a comprehensive and structured approach that begins with a needs assessment to understand the organization's position and culture. We source candidates using various strategies, such as leveraging networks, industryspecific databases, and targeted research. Our evaluations are designed to assess qualifications, experience, cultural fit, and leadership potential.
After two stages of interviews with Envision, we work with the organization's search committee to select the individuals they wish to meet and then facilitate the interview experience. We support the final selection process, including negotiation and offer formulation and offer onboarding support to ensure a smooth leadership transition with a one-year guarantee To ensure candidate success, we offer ten (10) hours of executive coaching throughout the first year of employment.
TreePeople is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.
Recruiting & Screening Interviews
Sourcing & Marketing
2nd Round Interviews
Final Panel Interview
Onboarding & Coaching
Negotiation Support
search team
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in Denver, New York, and Los Angeles, our partners and consultants are former executive leaders within nonprofit organizations who are truly inspired by our collective power to lift up the communities we serve. Our broad spectrum of services helps increase revenues, expand awareness and strengthen service delivery to the clients who need us the most. Learn more at www.envisionnonprofit.com.
JESSIE STEGNER CONTENT STRATEGIST
ALLISON FULLER MANAGING PARTNER
MATT KAMIN MANAGING PARTNER
ABIGAIL MARSTERS SENIOR SEARCH AND STRATEGY CONSULTANT
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Are you a great fit for TreePeople’s CEO?
We invite you to review the full position description and apply on our website.