RESUME

Skills

Successfully execute project, program & organizational budgets, responding to shortfalls with achievable solutions
Empower and mentor cohesive teams to create an inclusive workplace
Drive project, program & organization management, operations and strategy
Create order out of chaos with efficient systems and clear communication
Motivate diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal
Inspire calm & responsive during a crisis
Creative & adaptive, committed to achieving goals & planning for the future
A deep understanding of SF communities, relationships with local, state and national leaders, politicians & urban forestry organizations

WORK EXPERIENCE

Friends of the Urban Forest, San Francisco, CA. 2010 - current

In early 2010 I returned to FUF to assist with the creation of new workspaces in the office. After its completion I was asked to stay as the Sidewalk Landscape Planting Manager to develop and manage the fledgling sidewalk landscape program. Under my leadership the minimally funded pilot project transformed into a fully funded program that quickly became one of FUF’s most popular. In 2013 my responsibilities expanded to the Sidewalk Landscape Program Director, overseeing the sidewalk landscape program while managing the installation of individual projects. During this time I developed a fee-for-service program to generate a sustainable revenue stream, and lead program budgeting, grant writing, reporting and project scheduling. I supervised Sidewalk Landscape Planting Managers including hiring, training and evaluating and worked closely with SF Public Works, SFPUC, city departments & officials to implement city-wide greening projects.
In 2015 I saw the need to improve hiring, supervision, evaluation and retention of FUF program staff and proposed a new job description, Assistant Program Director. I joined the senior management team and created new systems to evaluate applicants, program outcomes and employee performance. In the lead up to the vote on Prop E in 2016, I began to prepare the foundation for the expansion of the urban forestry, green infrastructure and workforce development programs. With the advent of Street Tree SF, I led and continue to lead the expansion of FUF operations, program goals, facilities, administrative systems and staffing structure. In 2019 I became the Program Director, responsible for developing strategies, policies, procedures, best practices, monitoring and a DEI initiative. I am now responsible for overseeing all day-to-day FUF operations, including the movement of all office operations to remote working. I ensure incidents, accidents and workers compensations claims are reported and lead the response to employee disputes. I lead a team to provide fiscal oversight of multiple multi-million dollar city and state funded grants, and develop and monitor the organizational budget. I develop alternative revenue streams and partnerships to further the FUF mission and represent FUF at City Hall, the State Capitol and in 2019, the international World Forum on Urban Forestry. I work closely with the VP of Development to operationalize their work and meet with donors, foundations and funders. I currently directly supervise an office manager and 4 program managers, who supervise an additional 13 employees.

Independent Contractor, San Francisco, CA. 2010 - current

Partnering with several landscape designers, I produce design development, permit submittal and construction documents in Autocad for residential and commercial landscape architecture projects.

Kitchen Garden SF, San Francisco, CA. 2009 - December 2011

In 2009 I founded Kitchen Garden SF with a small group of Permaculture Designers. I coordinated and supervised garden installations in backyards and vacant lots. I developed and taught a series of 10 classes on edible gardening to SF Veterans Administration staff and patients and managed a grant from the SFVA.

Van Dorn Abed Landscape Architects, San Francisco, CA. 2005 - 2009

As a Landscape Designer I produced preliminary design drawings, city submittals packages and complete construction documents. I managed large scale landscape architecture projects through all phases of design & construction.

Pacific Nurseries, Colma, CA. 2003 - 2005

I managed a vast inventory database for one of the largest wholesale plant nurseries in the SF Bay Area.

Friends of the Urban Forest, San Francisco, CA. 2001 –2003

As a Tree Planting Manager I managed the planting of 1,000 street trees, primarily in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Organized neighbors, trained volunteers, coordinated contractors & supervised community tree plantings.

Episcopal Community Services, San Francisco, CA 1993 –2001

Starting as a Case Manager, I became the Support Services Manager, responsible for developing multi-agency social services, policies, procedures, evaluation and supervised 5 employees. I provided direct social services and community organizing in supportive housing for disabled homeless adults.

Professional Development

Arborist Certificate, in progress
Certificate in Nonprofit Management, 2020
Landscape Architecture License, 2018
Municipal Forestry Institute, 2017
Bay Friendly Designer, 2015
Permaculture Design Certificate, 2009
Single-source Greywater Installation, 2009

EDUCATION

UC Berkeley Extension Landscape Architecture Program Graduated 2004
University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Social Work Graduated 1993

INTERESTS

I’m happiest wandering near and far with a backpack and map. I've crossed San Francisco on bike and foot, cultivating trees and gardens in my wake. I can’t get through the day without reading a good book, swimming laps (or biking if COVID has closed the pools) and listening to community-supported radio.