Executive Director

About North East Trees

North East Trees (NET) is a community-based, non-profit
organization that helps heal environmental injustice through urban
forestry, nature-based design-build, habitat restoration, and
workforce development. NET works in underinvested communities in
Los Angeles County – particularly in Northeast, East, and South Los
Angeles – to build climate resiliency through stewardship,
planting, design, and community engagement.

The work of North East Trees is achieved through the following
programs:

Workforce Development

NET employs and trains local community members in entry and
mid-level restoration, construction, and urban forestry careers.
Crew members build their skills and knowledge in environmental
leadership and stewardship, while at the same time transforming
their own neighborhoods with tree planting, habitat restoration,
and community engagement.

Urban Forestry

NET plants trees in neighborhoods with as little as zero percent
tree canopy to increase climate resiliency through creating shade
justice, managing stormwater, decreasing energy costs, reducing
urban heat, and providing the mental health benefits of urban green
space. They provide free shade and fruit trees to residents, along
with education and community outreach to help those trees
thrive.

Design-build Inspired by Nature

NET is Los Angeles’ longest-established design-build nonprofit.
They foster input from local communities to design and build parks
and green spaces that restore native habitat, revitalize
neighborhoods, improve water quality, and create much-needed public
open space in underinvested communities.

Grow and Protect Habitat

NET stewards and restores crucial urban habitats to improve climate
resiliency, manage stormwater, reduce wildfire risks, and protect
open space in the urban landscape. Native Plant Nursery
professionals collect and grow local plant materials from Northeast
Los Angeles habitats, creating resilient local plants.

Engage the Community

NET operates a thriving Native Plant Nursery and connects with
communities through projects and programming. NET is adept at
navigating complex project and funding requirements, using
expertise to create transformative opportunities for historically
marginalized neighborhoods.

Green Schoolyards

NET transforms schoolyards in underinvested neighborhoods by
removing asphalt and adding trees, outdoor learning areas,
bioswales, and native planting. These verdant schoolyards support
student well-being, improve academic achievement, and expand urban
habitat.

Learn more about North East Trees at NET’s website.

The Opportunity

North East Trees is in search of a passionate and purpose-driven
Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of
growth and transformation. With a genuine dedication to
environmental justice, this visionary leader will draw upon over
three decades of success to pioneer innovative initiatives that
empower and uplift underserved communities across Los Angeles
County.

Utilizing established networks, partnerships, and resources to
address emerging environmental challenges, the Executive Director
will be instrumental in guiding the organization’s direction,
overseeing all programs and administrative functions. Reporting to
the Board of Directors, this role will collaborate with staff,
partners, volunteers, and city officials to expand and enhance
impact while aligning with NET’s strategic mission and
objectives.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional
experience that will set
candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will
have every experience
outlined in the position profile, ideal candidates will display the
following professional and personal qualities, skills, and
characteristics:

Passion for the Mission

The Executive Director will possess a strong dedication to
environmental justice and conservation, striving to expand NET’s
impact across the Greater Los Angeles community. They will be
driven to develop programs and services addressing environmental
inequities and to cultivate collaborative partnerships within NET’s
communities, including East LA, Northeast LA, South Los Angeles,
Compton, and Watts. Knowledge of native plants, landscape
design/construction, conservation, restoration, urban greening, and
familiarity with the political landscape of Los Angeles regarding
parks, recreation, and green spaces will be advantageous.
Furthermore, this leader will demonstrate deep insights and
unwavering commitment to inclusivity and fairness in advancing
nature-based solutions for both ecological and human
well-being.

Strategic and Visionary Leader

As a visionary leader, the Executive Director will enhance the
organization’s vision, leveraging NET’s history and achievements.
They will strategically pursue opportunities to expand impact while
remaining adaptable to the evolving needs of the Greater Los
Angeles community. Ensuring alignment across operations, finance,
and administration, they will establish and execute annual
strategic goals to advance NET’s mission. Previous experience in
bolstering a Board of Directors is preferred.

Business Acumen and Manager

The Executive Director will serve as a solutions-oriented leader
with a deep understanding of organizational efficiency and
effectiveness. This entails streamlining processes, implementing
best practices, and ensuring alignment of day-to-day operations
with the organization’s mission and goals. With demonstrated
management proficiency, they will develop, coach, and mentor staff
to achieve objectives while promoting a collective sense of
purpose. Additionally, the Executive Director will possess
expertise in fiscal and budget management, ensuring adherence to
fiduciary responsibilities and maintaining sound financial
practices and accountability throughout the organization.

Expertise in Fundraising and External Relations

This leader will possess a deep understanding of fundraising
strategies, having achieved previous success in securing financial
support from diverse sources such as donors, sponsors, grants, and
partnerships. They will excel in building and leveraging
connections to generate new business and funding opportunities,
effectively communicating the value proposition to potential
funders, partners, and supporters. Serving as a pivotal
spokesperson and ambassador for NET, they will represent the
organization to donors, partners, government agencies, and the
wider community, nurturing existing relationships while cultivating
new ones to broaden NET’s network and influence. Demonstrating a
thorough grasp of grant management and reimbursement processes is
also crucial.

Excellent Collaborator, Relationship Builder, and
Communicator

The Executive Director, characterized by humility, warmth, and
approachability, will build trust and strong relationships across
all organizational levels through collaborative management. They
will embody empathy and inclusivity, possessing high emotional
intelligence to create a unified atmosphere. Exceptional
communication and listening skills will enable them to articulate
complex ideas persuasively, fostering meaningful dialogue and
ensuring all voices are heard and valued. With energy, humor, and a
deep understanding of NET’s history, impact, growth strategy, and
future direction, they will inspire others and rally the community
around North East Trees’ mission. Moreover, their strong management
skills will ensure efficient operations and strategic
decision-making, driving the organization towards its goals with
clarity and purpose. Ideally, the new Executive Director will be
bilingual with Spanish proficiency.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary
range for this role is $150,000 – $180,000 with a generous benefits
package.

Contact

Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement.
Express interest in this role by
filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team
directly at [email protected] All
inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing
reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities.
If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need
assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected].
If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional
information regarding how to request an accommodation for the
interview process.

North East Trees is an equal opportunity employer and strongly
encourages applications from people of color, persons with
disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s
premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since
its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on
mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right
leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable
impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs,
responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities
and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on
its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and
is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a
changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach,
with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in
cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of
diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the
firm’s
website.

To apply, visit: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20923-north-east-trees-executive-director/

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