CANDIDATE PROFILE POSITION TITLE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PRIMARY LOCATION LOS ANGELES, CA CREATED FOR TREEPEOPLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS About TreePeople
3
What We Do
4
Position Overview
5
Roles & Responsibilities
6
Qualifications & Compensation
8
Ideal Candidate
9
About Los Angeles
10
About the Search Process
11
Application Link
12
about TreePeople 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 distributes fruit trees. When California is drought-stricken, TreePeople designs solutions to capture rainwater. As the world faces increasing threats from a changing climate TreePeople helps create actionable solutions.
our mission
Our 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.
OUr core values TreePeople’s core values are to be enthusiastic, welcoming, respectful, harmonious and committed. These values shape an approach to environmental work that is hopeful as well as inclusive, centers diverse voices, encourages collaboration, and makes lasting commitments to the communities it serves.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople| cFo | 3
what we do & WHO WE SERVE
community forestry Partners with environmentally stressed Southern California communities to plant trees, build greener neighborhoods, and strengthen resilience to extreme heat, pollution, and flooding. TreePeople has helped plant more than one million trees through community-led engagement and direct support.
conservation
GreeN Infrastructure
Trains and mobolizes volunteers to restore Southern California’s forests, protect vital watersheds, and strenghten resillience to fire, drought, pests and mudslides. Community members plant trees, provide tree care, and remove invasive vegetation to heal damaged mountain ecosystems.
Partners with schools and districts to create healthier, cooler, and more resillient campuses through shade trees, natured-based design, and improved water management. Projects reduce climate-related risks, support student well-being, and build environmental literacy through hands-on action.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: treepople| cf0 | 4
d
what we do & WHO WE SERVE
environmental education and outdoor equity
research
Equips K-12 students, teachers, and communities to address climate change, explore green careers, and advance environmental equity through hands-on, nature-based learning - including teacher training, youth summits, paid internships, field trips and campus experiences.
Advances urban environmental science in areas such as extreme heat, stormwater capture, soil health, nature-based solutions, and community well-being. By collaborating with researchers, public officals, practioners, and community leaders, the team develops practical insights that inform action and support a more sustainable future .
watershed health Helps communities improve water quality, increase local water supply, and create greener neighborhoods through education, watershed planning, and community retrofit projects. TreePeople also serves as Watershed Coordinator for the Santa Clara River Watershed under LA County’s Safe, Clean Water Program.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: treepople| cf0 | 4
Position Overview The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads TreePeople’s finance and accounting functions and partners with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Grants and Contracts Officer (CGCO), leadership team, and board to advance financial stability, sustainability, and responsible growth. The CFO combines strategic financial leadership with practical oversight of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, grants and contracts, and financial systems. TreePeople’s project-based work and complex government grants and reimbursable contracts require a seasoned nonprofit leader who anticipates funding needs, strengthens infrastructure, and connects financial decisions to program impact. The CFO will improve cash flow visibility, project budget reporting, billing and collections, and long-term financial planning. This leader will manage and develop the finance team, address audits, and establish clear processes and accountability while building trust across departments through a collaborative, approachable leadership style grounded in TreePeople’s environmental mission.
First Year GOALS & OBJECTIVES Improve cash flow and financial planning. Establish reliable forecasts, strengthen billing and collections, and identify funding gaps early to support current operations and longer-term needs. Strengthen budgeting and departmental accountability. Create a clear budgeting process with regular budget-to-actual reviews, updated projections, and training for program leaders. Improve financial systems and access to information. Make better use of Sage Intacct, improve coordination with ADP and Salesforce, and provide timely project reports with less manual work. Strengthen grant management, compliance, and controls. Prioritize improvements to grant and contract financial management, address audit findings, and document consistent financial procedures. Develop and stabilize the finance team. Assess staffing and workloads, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen onboarding, training, and knowledge sharing. Build trust and improve financial communication. Strengthen collaboration across departments and provide staff, leadership, and the board with clear explanations of financial results, risks, and options.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople| CFO| 6
roles & responsibilities Financial Strategy and Organizational Planning Lead short-term and multi-year financial planning aligned with TreePeople’s mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs. Partner with the CEO and leadership team to assess financial risks, reserves, funding gaps, and scenarios; recommend practical options that support financial resilience and sustainable growth. Evaluate the financial impact and full costs of new programs, partnerships, and expansion opportunities, including administrative costs not fully covered by grants or contracts.
Grants, Contracts and Funding Compliance Oversee financial management of a substantial portfolio of government contracts and federal, foundation, and other grants, including restricted and unrestricted funds. Partner with grants and program leaders to strengthen award budgeting, allowable cost allocation, financial reporting, documentation, and compliance with funding requirements. Improve timely and accurate billing and reimbursement submissions; coordinate collections and funder communication to support receivables management and cash flow. Track funding sources and restrictions, monitor contract and grant financial performance, and communicate financial obligations and risks to leadership.
Budgeting, Project Finance and Cash Flow Lead annual operating and project budget development with department leaders; establish clear timelines, assumptions, responsibilities, and budget accountability. Establish regular monthly budget-to-actual reviews, reconciliations, and updated forecasts with program leaders. Explain variances in operational context and coach staff on financial planning based on completed work and estimates to completion. Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity management, incorporating project obligations, billing schedules, receivables, reimbursement timing, and operating expenses. Obtain timely project information across departments to identify cash needs and funding gaps early; recommend actions and monitor progress. Coordinate with development to align fundraising priorities and restricted funding with program needs and the organization’s broader financial outlook.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople| CFO| 6
roles & responsibilities Accounting, Audit and Financial Controls Oversee daily finance operations, accurate general ledger records, timely monthly closes, fixed assets, depreciation, and reliable monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. Ensure financial operations comply with GAAP and applicable local, state, and federal requirements; stay current on changes affecting the organization. Maintain effective internal controls, documented accounting policies, and standard operating procedures; conduct periodic internal reviews. Coordinate annual audits and timely audited financial statements; present results to the finance committee and board, and lead corrective actions to address findings and prevent recurrence. Oversee preparation and timely filing of IRS Form 990 and other required financial filings.
Financial Systems, Reporting and Data Access Assess and improve the use of Sage Intacct and related tools to strengthen reporting, forecasting, and access to dependable financial data. Partner across departments to improve data coordination and appropriate integration among Sage Intacct, ADP, and Salesforce, reducing duplicate entry and manual reconciliation. Develop accessible project dashboards and timely budget-to-actual reporting so program leaders can obtain useful financial information with less manual support. Establish clear data ownership, reporting standards, and review practices; provide training and support for effective system use. Establish meaningful key financial and performance metrics to support management decision-making.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople | CFO| 7
roles & responsibilities Finance Team Leadership and Cross-Department Collaboration Lead, develop, and support the finance team through clear expectations, coaching, professional development, knowledge sharing, and effective onboarding. Assess staffing capacity and workloads, including billing support, and recommend resources and practices that promote continuity and staff retention. Build trust across finance, programs, development, grants and contracts, and other departments; clarify responsibilities, resolve misunderstandings constructively, and promote respectful communication and shared accountability. Introduce processes and accountability with staff input, clear explanations, and a manageable implementation pace that respects TreePeople’s participatory culture. Create consistent service and communication standards so the finance team provides approachable, direct support across the organization, including in remote or hybrid working environments.
CEO & Board Partnership Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the CEO and represent finance at Board and finance committee meetings. Present financial results as a clear narrative linking variances, program performance, cash needs, risks, and recommended actions for audiences with varied financial knowledge. Provide candid, timely financial communication to leadership and appropriate visibility for staff; translate board priorities into practical next steps. Support clear boundaries between Board governance and daily operations while navigating differing perspectives with sound judgment and professionalism. CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople | CFO| 7 Other duties as assigned.
qualifications A minimum of ten years of accounting or finance experience in the nonprofit sector with organizations generating at least $10 million in revenue, including at least five years of senior leadership. Demonstrated CFO-level leadership of a complex nonprofit finance function, including strategic planning, executive advising, board reporting, and finance team development. Deep experience with government grants and reimbursable contracts, nonprofit fund accounting, restricted and unrestricted funds, and a high volume of concurrent awards and reporting obligations. Strong command of GAAP, audit oversight, internal controls, regulatory compliance, tax filing oversight, and corrective action implementation. Demonstrated success in annual and multi-year budgeting, project-level analysis, cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and scenario planning. Experience strengthening financial infrastructure during organizational growth, documenting processes, improving systems, and guiding collaborative change. Advanced proficiency with financial systems and analytical tools, including Sage Intacct and Excel; ability to improve reporting and coordinate data across systems. An approachable and empathetic leadership style, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment under pressure. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to staff, executives, and board members. A strong commitment to TreePeople’s environmental mission and a willingness to understand its programs and field-based work.
compensation & benefits The CFO salary range is $180,000 - $200,000. TreePeople offers medical coverage with fully paid employee premiums for select plans; optional dental, vision, and supplemental insurance; employer-paid life insurance and employee assistance; flexible spending accounts; and a retirement plan. Paid time off includes two to four weeks of vacation based on tenure, 96 hours of annual sick leave for full-time employees, 12 holidays, a floating holiday, and winter closure from December 26–31.
TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. TreePeople promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure an equal employment opportunity for everyone. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: Treepeople| CFO| 8
the ideal candidate TreePeople’s ideal CFO has guided a nonprofit through a period when growth outpaced its financial systems and processes. They have brought greater clarity to project finances, improved cash flow under complex reimbursement arrangements, and helped departments take ownership of their budgets. Their background includes managing a substantial portfolio of government grants and contracts, addressing audit findings, and turning fragmented financial information into reliable tools for planning and decision-making. They have also developed finance teams and earned the confidence of a CEO and an engaged board. This leader combines strategic perspective with practical follow-through. They take time to understand existing practices and relationships, recognize what is working, and establish a manageable path toward improvement. Approachable and calm, they welcome questions while remaining clear about expectations and accountability. They can advocate for the finance team, resolve misunderstandings across departments, and introduce structure in a culture that values participation. Their communication is candid and accessible: they explain what the numbers mean, connect financial concerns to program realities, and bring options alongside the problems they identify. The strongest candidate is motivated by TreePeople’s environmental mission and sees financial leadership as a way to advance its impact. They enjoy developing people, solving operational challenges, and building systems that make colleagues’ work easier and decisions better informed. They are drawn to the opportunity to strengthen organizational stability and support future growth through trusted relationships and sound financial stewardship.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople| CFO | 9
ABOUT Los Angeles And ColdWater Canyon Los Angeles, is a diverse city known for its cultural institutions and varied landscapes. Located along Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains, the park sits on the ridgeline between Beverly Hills and Studio City, offering a natural retreat within the city. Coldwater Canyon Park features 45-acre of nature trails, wooded hillsides, canyon views, and spaces for environmental education and cultural programming. Operated through public support, the park sits on the ancestral homelands of the Tongva/Kizh, Chumash, and Tataviam peoples. In addition to the Coldwater Canyon area itself, nearby communities such as Studio City and Beverly Hills connect the park to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles’s Westside. The park welcomes school groups, families, and other visitors for outdoor learning, guided activities, and recreation, providing a shared destination for surrounding communities. Across Los Angeles, neighborhoods reflect a wide range of cultural backgrounds, traditions, and experiences. The city’s urban landscape includes residential communities, commercial districts, cultural destinations, and natural spaces. Environmental challenges such as extreme heat, pollution, and water insecurity highlight the importance of parks as well as green space. Coldwater Canyon Park provides a place to connect with nature.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople| CFO | 10
the search process Envision Consulting has been retained by TreePeople to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 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, industry-specific 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 curate that 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 oneyear 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.
Survey Focus Groups 1-1 interviews
Recruiting & Screening Interviews
Candidate Profile
Job Description & Comms Plan
Sourcing & Marketing
Final Panel Interview
2nd Round Interviews
Onboarding & Coaching
Negotiation Support
search team for treepeople
MATT KAMIN MANAGING PARTNER
MELISSA MONTOYA DIRECTOR OF SEARCH SERVICES
MARY-CLAIRE SEI ASSOCIATE
ALYSSA LEAWPRASERT ASSOCIATE
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in 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.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: Treepeople|cfo| 11
apply now Are you a great fit for the TreePeople’s next Chief Financial Officer? We invite you to apply and share your experience with us!
CANDIDATE PROFILE: TreePeople |Chief Financial Officer | 12