About Us
Since 1976 Tree Trust has been bringing people together to create positive, lasting changes in their lives and in their communities.
We do this because we believe there is a need — now more than ever — for us to actively engage in preserving a quality of life beyond our own lifetime. And we believe that amazing things happen when people connect with one another and the natural world.
Every day Tree Trust is investing in a better future. We work in partnership with young people and adults to improve their lives and transform the green landscapes of our communities.
The Community
From Minneapolis and St. Paul to the suburbs to rural Minnesota, we're leaving lasting improvements in your parks, nature areas, schools, neighborhood spaces, community agencies and backyards.
The Environment
Projects like staircases and retaining walls control erosion. Removing buckthorn gives native plants a chance to thrive. Creating trails and boardwalks make our parks more accessible and enjoyable. Building LEED-certified houses conserves energy and natural resources. Planting thousands of new trees each year and removing dead and diseased trees preserves and protects our community forest.
The People
Job-trainees develop skills to take to their next job. Youth spend the summer working hard in their communities. Young adults find direction while learning a trade. Parents connect back into the workforce. Students develop an ethic of environmental stewardship. Volunteers connect with each other and their local environment.
History
Tree Trust was created in 1976 to address two problems in our communities: the devastation of the urban tree canopy due to Dutch elm disease and the high unemployment and poverty rates for youth and adults at the time. We began combating these issues by hiring unemployed individuals and training them to plant trees and reforest the Twin Cities.
Since then we have expanded to offer integrated employment training, case management, community forestry and environmental education programs.
Mission
Our mission is to improve the community environment by investing in people.
By merging lives and landscapes, our programs...
- provide meaningful opportunities for greening our local community
- give youth the chance to experience success, boost their self-confidence and find direction
- teach practical job skills to help adults re-shape their lives
- help neighbors understand and connect with each other and the natural world
Accomplishments
Tree Trust is recognized nationally as one of the leading nonprofit organizations that involves diverse urban populations in employment, community forestry and environmental programs.
Since 1976 we have...
- provided employment training and case management for more than 42,000 youth and adults
- completed hundreds of park maintenance, landscaping and construction projects
- planted 72,000 trees and shrubs in schools, parks and community areas
- engaged more than 13,000 citizen volunteers in community improvement projects
- increased awareness and educated more than 100,000 students about the importance of trees and green spaces to the health and vitality of a community
Our Board of Directors
G. Rolf Svendsen, Chair
Vice President/Investments, Stifel Nicolaus
Donald C. Willeke, Vice Chair
Independent Trustee, Wells Fargo Advantage Mutual Funds
(vacant) Treasurer
Bob Hand, Secretary
Retired, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
View complete list of Board of Directors
Our Chief Executive Officer
Susan Gethin, Chief Executive Officer of Tree Trust
Susan Gethin joined Tree Trust in 2010. Prior to joining Tree Trust she acted as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Ameriprise Financial, Inc., and Vice President of U.S. Retail Communications for American Express Financial Advisors.
As Chief Executive Officer she reports to Tree Trust’s Board of Directors and is accountable for the company’s fiscal responsibility, compliance, oversight of leadership staff, strategic planning and overall achievement of the company’s mission.
She has more than 25 years of experience in communications, leadership, strategic planning and executive management. Gethin holds a B.A. in Political Science from St. Olaf college.
Our Leadership Team
Vice President of Programming, Norm Champ
Norm Champ joined Tree Trust in 1977 and was promoted to his current position after serving as Director of Employment Programs.
As Vice President of Programming he acts as primary liaison with youth program funding agencies; oversees recruitment, training and support for program staff, youth and young adults employed through Tree Trust's programs, as well as our urban forestry and adult welfare-to-work programs.
Champ earned his B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Minnesota. He has 35 years of experience in training, business development, working with at-risk youth and adult populations, leadership and management. He serves on the Youth Councils of Hennepin and Dakota Counties, as well as the Hennepin County Workforce Investment Board.
Director of Development and Community Relations,
Kim Lawler
Kim Lawler came to Tree Trust in late 2011 bringing experience in fundraising, marketing, communications and special event planning from the nonprofit and public sectors.
Most recently, Kim served as Marketing and Fiscal Development Manager with Dakota County Parks, and prior to that was the Vice President of Development for Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest.
Kim has a passion for building relationships with people and thrives on making connections to bring more resources and awareness to Tree Trust. Kim has a B.A. from Iowa State University in Speech Communication.
Director of Finance and Human Resources,
Deborah Angelucci
Deborah Angelucci joined Tree Trust in 2008 as Manager of Finance and Human Resources and was promoted in January 2009 to her current position. Prior to joining the organization she acted as the Business Manager for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul.
As Director of Finance and Human Resources she is responsible for managing and overseeing Tree Trust's accounting and human resource departments.
She has 17 years of experience in nonprofit accounting, human resource management, administration and development. Angelucci holds a B.A. in Communications from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Director of Project Development and IT,
Dave Nozal
Dave Nozal joined Tree Trust in 1992 and was promoted to his current position after serving as Tree Trust's Director of Forestry and Conservation Corps.
As Director of Project Development and IT, he develops landscape and construction projects for Tree Trust's youth employment training programs; interfaces with park managers, civic leaders and school personnel; and manages Tree Trust's information technology needs.
He has 20 years of experience in project development, community forestry, information technology and management. Nozal has a B.A. in Information Technology in Management from Concordia College and is a certified arborist.
Director of Operations and Landscape Services,
Jared Smith
Jared Smith joined Tree Trust in 1996. Prior to acting as Director of Operations and Landscape Services, he acted as Manager of Operations and Earned Income.
In his current position he is responsible for management and oversight of Tree Trust's operating support functions and Landscape Services Division.
He has over 15 years of experience in project management, training, working directly with at-risk youth and adult populations, landscape contracting and managing equipment and vehicle fleets. Smith holds a B.A. in Geology from Gustavus Adolphus College of St. Peter, Minnesota, is a licensed general contractor, and is a certified segmental block wall installer.
Annual Reports
Perusing our annual reports is a great way to get to know Tree Trust. Click on the year to view a PDF of the report.
Contributors
Please visit our Contributors page for a list of corporations, foundations and organizations that funded us in 2010.
Contact Us
Tree Trust
2231 Edgewood Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Phone: 952-767-3880
Fax: 952-767-3650
If you have questions, call us or fill out the form below and we will get back to you. For specific project inquiries, please use our project inquiries form.
Contact Form
Tree Trust
2231 Edgewood Ave. S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Phone: 952.767.3880
Fax: 952.767.3650
