C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E
C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R P O S I T I O N T I T L E T R E E P E O P L E C R E A T E D F O R L O S A N G E L E S , C A P R I M A R Y L O C A T I O N
About the Organization Position Overview First-Year Goals & Objectives Roles & Responsibilities Qualifications Ideal Candidate & Career Track About Los Angeles Search Timeline TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 TreePeople’s mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share our process as a model for the world
T r e e P e o p l e s t a n d s a s a b e a c o n o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l s t e w a r d s h i p , r o o t e d i n a m i s s i o n t h a t t r a n s c e n d s m e r e c o n s e r v a t i o n t o e m b r a c e a h o l i s t i c v i s i o n o f u r b a n s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a n d c o m m u n i t y e m p o w e r m e n t S i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n i n 1 9 7 3 , w h e n a t e e n a g e r ' s a s p i r a t i o n s t o o k f l i g h t , T r e e P e o p l e h a s b u r g e o n e d i n t o o n e o f S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a ' s f o r e m o s t e n v i r o n m e n t a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s A t i t s c o r e l i e s a c o m m i t m e n t t o
i n s p i r e , e n g a g e , a n d s u p p o r t i n d i v i d u a l s i n a s s u m i n g p e r s o n a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e i r u r b a n e n v i r o n m e n t s C e n t r a l t o t h i s e t h o s i s t h e r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t e n v i r o n m e n t a l e q u a l i t y i s n o t j u s t a c o n c e p t
b u t a l i v e d r e a l i t y , w h e r e d i v e r s e p o p u l a t i o n s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s a r e i n t e g r a l p a r t i c i p a n t s i n s h a p i n g a s a f e r , h e a l t h i e r , a n d m o r e s u s t a i n a b l e w o r l d
W i t h a h i s t o r y m a r k e d b y r e s i l i e n c e a n d a d a p t a b i l i t y , T r e e P e o p l e h a s m o b i l i z e d o v e r t h r e e m i l l i o n
i n d i v i d u a l s t o t a k e t a n g i b l e a c t i o n i n s a f e g u a r d i n g o u r e n v i r o n m e n t F r o m r e f o r e s t i n g s c o r c h e d
l a n d s c a p e s r a v a g e d b y w i l d f i r e s t o t r a n s f o r m i n g b a r r e n s c h o o l y a r d s i n t o v i b r a n t g r e e n s p a c e s ,
T r e e P e o p l e ' s i n i t i a t i v e s r e f l e c t a d e e p - s e a t e d d e d i c a t i o n t o s e r v i n g c o m m u n i t i e s i n n e e d I m p o r t a n t l y ,
t h i s c o m m i t m e n t e x t e n d s b e y o n d t h e i m m e d i a t e a l l e v i a t i o n o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l c h a l l e n g e s t o f o s t e r e n d u r i n g s o l u t i o n s t h a t e m p o w e r i n d i v i d u a l s a n d n e i g h b o r h o o d s t o t h r i v e i n h a r m o n y w i t h n a t u r e
I n t h e f a c e o f m o u n t i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l t h r e a t s c o m p o u n d e d b y a r a p i d l y c h a n g i n g c l i m a t e , T r e e P e o p l e r e m a i n s s t e a d f a s t i n i t s p u r s u i t o f a c t i o n a b l e s o l u t i o n s T h r o u g h i n n o v a t i v e p r o g r a m s a n d o n - t h e - g r o u n d r e s e a r c h , T r e e P e o p l e n o t o n l y a d d r e s s e s t h e u r g e n t i m p e r a t i v e s o f t o d a y b u t a l s o l a y s t h e g r o u n d w o r k f o r a m o r e r e s i l i e n t t o m o r r o w B y d i s s e m i n a t i n g k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e r t i s e t o p o l i c y m a k e r s , e d u c a t o r s , a n d c o m m u n i t i e s w o r l d w i d e , T r e e P e o p l e e x e m p l i f i e s a m o d e l o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l a d v o c a c y t h a t t r a n s c e n d s g e o g r a p h i c b o u n d a r i e s , f o s t e r i n g a g l o b a l m o v e m e n t t o w a r d s s u s t h e p e o a n d
0 3 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
Trees need People People need Trees
Born in 1973 from the hopes and dreams of a teenager, TreePeople is now one of the largest environmental organizations headquartered in Southern California We have inspired, engaged, and supported more than 3 million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and our neighborhoods Our unique, engaging, and proven model empowers communities to plant a more resilient future and take personal responsibility for greening their neighborhoods Through our on-the-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
We do this through your involvement and support in:
Providing students, teachers and the school community with the knowledge, tools and support they need to create environmental change
Protecting and stewarding natural parks and open spaces
Restoring ecosystems, planting trees, and incorporating naturebased solutions from our pristine forests to our urban streets to our coastal communities
Working towards environmental and social justice among environmentally stressed communities
Conducting cutting-edge research and facilitating policies that support naturebased solutions
0 4 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
- R e f o r e s t a t i o n i n i t i a t i v e s i n o u r m o u n t a i n s - U r b a n e n v i r o n m e n t r e g r e e n i n g p r o j e c t s - P r o m o t i o n o f e d u c a t i o n a n d o u t d o o r e q u i t y - I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f g r e e n i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , s u c h a s s c h o o l g r e e n i n g p r o g r a m s - A d v o c a c y f o r w a t e r e q u i t y a n d s u s t a i n a b l e w a t e r m a n a g e m e n t
At the helm of TreePeople's mission, CEO shoulders the responsibility of advancing environmental resilience while upholding principles of environmental equality With a robust annual budget of $13 million and a dedicated team of 151 staff members, this leadership role is pivotal in steering TreePeople's transformative agenda towards equitable outcomes Embracing environmental justice as a core principle, the CEO leads initiatives that prioritize marginalized communities, ensuring that the benefits of environmental stewardship reach all, regardless of socioeconomic status
The CEO's mandate extends beyond operational oversight to spearhead initiatives that foster inclusive partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, civic leaders, and environmental advocates By amplifying the voices of underserved populations and dismantling systemic barriers to environmental access, TreePeople works to address not only ecological challenges but also societal inequalities Through strategic efforts such as reforestation in fire-affected areas and the creation of green spaces in urban neighborhoods, TreePeople exemplifies its commitment to environmental equality, striving to build a future where all individuals can thrive in harmony with nature
In navigating TreePeople towards a future defined by environmental sustainability and equity, the CEO prioritizes community engagement and collaboration as key drivers of progress By championing environmental justice as a fundamental aspect of TreePeople's mission, the CEO ensures that the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more just and resilient world, where the benefits of nature are shared equitably among all communities
F i r s t Y e a r G O A L S & O B J E C T I V E S
P R I O R I T I E S
Organizational Leadership
Organizational Strategy
Strengthen Fiscal Management
Improve Operations & Infrastructure
Programmatic
Innovation
Strengthen
Organizational Culture/ DEI
New Donor Relationships
Board Recruitment & Development
Stabilize organizational leadership and enhance team cohesion through strategic planning and effective communication
Implement a robust fundraising strategy to secure financial stability and diversify revenue streams
Plan for board growth and development by assessing current composition and making recommendations for improvement
Engage with major community leaders and politicians to expand support and identify new donors
Develop a clear strategic vision for managing organizational growth, emphasizing urban forestry and community engagement
Strengthen fiscal management and organizational operations and create a strong management team
Conduct a thorough review of the current strategy, engaging stakeholders and assessing fundraising approaches and resources
Foster positive relationships with foundations, corporations, major donors, and elected officials to advance TreePeople's mission
Improve messaging and communications to enhance the organization's visibility and impact within the community
Prioritize programs focused on green schools, urban forestry, climate change, and environmental education to create meaningful impact and engage diverse communities
0 5 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
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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
Oversees the recruitment, hiring, and training; ensuring HR policies are updated, upheld, and supported in accordance with the law
Serves as the Principal and Chief communicator for business advocacy with various governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations
Consistently solicits, incorporates, and implements the input and feedback of all organization members
Ensures that all TreePeople 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
Community Engagement
Represents TreePeople at local, regional, state, and national meetings and conventions to promote the organization’s mission
Develops and maintains a network of peers through regional and national professional organizations
Oversees the development and execution of community events recognized by the organization and enhances community-wide visibility and recognition
Identifies and recruits both established and emerging business and community leaders to serve as volunteer leaders of the organization; supporting and guiding them to contribute to the organization’s success
Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local government officials, Board members, affiliates, and other community leaders to achieve TreePeople’s goals
Financial Management
In collaboration with the CFO, develops and manages financial planning, forecasting, and analytical efforts, ensuring alignment with the overall mission, vision, and strategy of TreePeople
Responsible for the organization’s financial health, including funding generation and expense management
Develops and executes the annual budget and supervises day-to-day fiscal management
Develops and executes fundraising strategies that promote the mission and effectively utilize the organization’s financial resources
Board Administration and Support
Fosters effective collaboration with the Board of Directors and between the Board and staff
Empower and support the Board of Directors to fulfill its governance functions
Plans, organizes, and executes 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
0 6 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e g , nonprofit management, business administration, social work, or a related discipline) A master's degree may be preferred
Must have a minimum of ten (10) years experience in accounting or finance in the nonprofit sector for organizations with revenue $10 million and above with at least five (5) years of senior leadership
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels
Demonstrated ability to supervise others, support and evaluate colleagues and reports, and maintain high morale and productivity
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate the organization's and staff's needs
Vision for long-range planning, while focusing on the organization‘s day-to-day needs
Demonstrated ability to work successfully within complex political environments with a strong understanding of advocacy, coalition building, and the legislative process
Experience overseeing a budget of $500,000 or more
Successful track record of managing funding relationships with foundations, donors, or other funding entities
Familiarity with the nonprofit sector, including fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations
Commitment to the organization’s mission
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
Knowledge of marketing, communications, and public relations, and business management theories, practices, and procedures
Proven to be highly motivated, self-directed, results-oriented, and most energized in a fast-paced, multitasked environment
Extensive knowledge of information technology as applied to business operations and external communications
compensation & benefits
Salary is between $180,000-$220,000 with a generous benefits package
The TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race or ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status
0 7 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
i d e a l c a n d i d a t e
The ideal candidate for the CEO position at TreePeople is envisioned as 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 builder and influencer, the ideal candidate thrives on fostering relationships and creating a shared vision for nature conservation and community engagement With a professional background ideally rooted in nonprofit organizations, the ideal CEO candidate should bring a wealth of experience in strategic planning, external relations and organizational leadership They should have a proven track record in strategic growth, securing funds from various sources including foundations, corporations, major donors, and government partnerships Moreover, the ideal candidate should excel in team building, stakeholder engagement, and organizational strategy development, fostering a cohesive and engaged board and staff They should also prioritize community engagement, actively connecting with major community leaders, politicians, donors, and volunteers to expand TreePeople's impact and protect natural resources effectively Ultimately, the ideal CEO for TreePeople would be a visionary leader committed to driving measurable progress, enhancing organizational culture, and advancing the mission of nature conservation with a focus on urban forestry and environmental justice
The Chief Executive Officer of TreePeople is responsible for internal operations and external relations To effectively manage all stakeholders, the ideal candidates possesses a connection with the service community, relationships with businesses and industry partners in the region, as well as a deep passion for the education of nature conservancy
p a s t P O S S I B L E T I T L E S Chief Executive Officer President Executive Director Deputy Director Chief Operating Officer Chief Administrative Officer Chief
Officer 0 8 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e
Development
C A R E E R T R A C K l e a d i n g t o c h i e f e x e c u t i v e o f f i c e r
ABOUT The lA Region
L o s A n g e l e s C o u n t y i s a v a s t a n d v a r i e d g e o g r a p h i c
e n t i t y I t i n c l u d e s a g r o u p o f i n l a n d v a l l e y s , a
c o a s t a l p l a i n s e p a r a t e d b y l o w m o u n t a i n s t h a t a r e
i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h s t e e p p a s s e s , a n a r c o f s t i l l h i g h e r
m o u n t a i n s , a n d a l o n g s e a c o a s t N e a r l y h a l f o f t h e
c o u n t y i s t a k e n u p b y m o u n t a i n c h a i n s m o s t o f t h e m
r u n n i n g e a s t - w e s t t h a t h a v e a d y n a m i c h i s t o r y
o f e a r t h q u a k e s , f i r e s t o r m s , a n d m u d s l i d e s T o
t h e n o r t h a n d n o r t h e a s t a r e t h e m a s s i v e a n d s p r a w l i n g
S a n G a b r i e l a n d S a n B e r n a r d i n o m o u n t a i n s S t r e t c h i n g i n
f r o n t o f t h e m a n d m o r e o r l e s s i n p a r a l l e l l i n e s f r o m w e s t t o
e a s t a r e t h e S a n t a M o n i c a M o u n t a i n s , P u e n t e H i l l s , R e p e t t o
H i l l s , a n d S a n J o s e H i l l s T h e s e c h a i n s d e l i n e a t e t h e S a n F e r n a n d o , S a n G a b r i e l , a n d
S a n B e r n a r d i n o v a l l e y s F a r t h e r s o u t h r u n n i n g r o u g h l y b e t w e e n O r a n g e a n d
R i v e r s i d e c o u n t i e s a r e t h e S a n t a A n a M o u n t a i n s
L o s A n g e l e s , t h e h e a r t o f S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a , b e c a m e a w o r l d - c l a s s c i t y v e r y
r e c e n t l y A t t h e s t a r t o f t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y , i t w a s c o n s i d e r e d m e r e l y “ a l a r g e v i l l a g e ”
T h i s a s c e n d a n c y i s a l l t h e m o r e r e m a r k a b l e c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t t h e c i t y o r i g i n a l l y
l a c k e d s o m e o f t h e e s s e n t i a l b u i l d i n g b l o c k s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h c i t y h o o d , s u c h a s a
n a t u r a l h a r b o r Y e t i t o v e r c a m e n a t u r a l d e f i c i e n c i e s a n d e s t a b l i s h e d i t s e l f a s a n
i m p o r t a n t c e n t e r o f c o m m e r c e , a g r i c u l t u r e , t o u r i s m , a n d i n d u s t r y F o r m o r e t h a n a
c e n t u r y i t h a s b e e n i n d e l i b l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a b e n i g n c l i m a t e , e x t e n s i v e l e i s u r e , a n d
o u t d o o r r e c r e a t i o n , a s w e l l a s t h e s p e c i a l a u r a o f c e l e b r i t y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
H o l l y w o o d T h e l i f e s t y l e o f L o s A n g e l e s r e s i d e n t s ( w h o a r e c a l l e d A n g e l e n o s ) r e l i e s
o n t h e a u t o m o b i l e , i d e a l i z e s t h e s i n g l e - f a m i l y d w e l l i n g , a n d f a v o r s i n f o r m a l i t y W i t h
n o t a b l e e x c e p t i o n s , t h e s k y l i n e i s p r i m a r i l y h o r i z o n t a l r a t h e r t h a n v e r t i c a l L o s
A n g e l e s i s a p l a c e o f e x t r a o r d i n a r y e t h n i c a n d r a c i a l d i v e r s i t y , o w i n g l a r g e l y t o
i m m i g r a t i o n
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0 9 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E :
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Envision Consulting has been retained by TreePeople to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Executive Officer We follow a comprehensive and structured approach that begins with a needs assessment to understand the organization's position and culture Candidate sourcing is conducted using various strategies, such as leveraging networks, industry-specific databases, and targeted research Our in-depth evaluations are thoughtfully 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 curate that interview experience as well as the follow-up We also support the final selection process, including negotiation and offer formulation and offer onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition for the selected candidate Regular communication with the client is maintained throughout the process, providing updates, feedback, and guidance to ensure a successful executive search outcome We also offer clients a 1-year guarantee and 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
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
M E L I S S A M O N T O Y A D I R E C T O R O F S E A R C H S E R V I C E S A L L I S O N F U L L E R M A N A G I N G P A R T N E R M A T T K A M I N M A N A G I N G P A R T N E R A M A N D A M I T C H E L L C O N S U L T A N T t h e P R O C E S S & T i m e l i n e 1 0 | C A N D I D A T E P R O F I L E : T r e e P e o p l e S E A R C H T E A M
t o a p p l y Survey Focus Groups 1-1 interviews Job description & Comms Plan Candidate Profile Sourcing & Marketing
& Screening
Face to Face
Negotiation
Recruiting
Interviews
Interviews Final Panel Interview
Support Onboarding & Coaching