Board
Tree Pittsburgh’s board is a group of committed leaders who provide strategic guidance and governance to support the organization’s mission. They bring diverse expertise and community connections to help advance urban forestry initiatives and ensure the long-term sustainability of Pittsburgh’s green spaces.
Isabela Cajiao-Angelelli
Originally from Colombia, South America, where she attended Medical School at the Javeriana University School of Medicine, Dr. Angelelli completed her Pediatric Residency Training at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). She has experience in emergency medicine and is currently the Director of the CHP Pediatric Sedation Service. She is also a community and environmental health advocate. She serves as the Director for the UPMC CHP Green Team and as a member of the UPMC Environmental Initiatives Committee. The current focus of her work in the environmental world includes trees as a public health intervention and efforts to decrease the carbon footprint of regional healthcare systems. She is the Co-Founder of Tree Pittsburgh’s One Tree Per Child Pittsburgh Program. She is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Clinicians for Climate Action, a group of UPMC clinicians supporting the healthcare system in decarbonizing its operations and implementing more sustainable practices.
Wesley Kanawalsky
Wesley Kanawalsky has worked in the transportation industry for more than 20 years and now leads sustainability projects at FedEx, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and helping advance electric vehicle adoption across the network.
He joined Tree Pittsburgh’s Board in 2023 after years of volunteering and being inspired by the organization’s mission, hands-on impact, and passionate team. Wesley loves seeing Tree Pittsburgh’s plantings take root and flourish in parks, neighborhoods, and along trails, growing shade, habitat, and healthier communities for years to come.
Outside of work, Wesley enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, especially hiking, backpacking, and exploring Pittsburgh’s incredible green spaces and waterways. As a dad of two young boys, he hopes to inspire a love for nature, adventure, and environmental responsibility in the next generation.
Wesley’s favorite tree is the red maple, a resilient, brilliant symbol of four-season beauty in Pennsylvania.
Lindsay Baxter
Lindsay Baxter is Senior Manager, Energy Policy and Public Affairs for Duquesne Light Company (DLC). Prior to joining DLC in 2018, she was Program Manager, Energy and Climate with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, where she worked with diverse stakeholders to advance clean energy policy and programs. She has also worked in local government, as the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh. She holds degrees in environmental science from Duquesne University (MS) and Allegheny College (BA). She lives in Regent Square with her seven-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old Labrador Retriever. In her free time enjoys running, hiking, and baking. Her favorite tree is the American beech.
Kevin Gieder
Kevin Gieder is a Pittsburgh-based consultant providing CFO services, financial management re-engineering, management coaching, and strategic project-based work to non-profit organizations and charitable foundations. Kevin brings 20+ years of experience working with Pittsburgh’s non-profit sector first as a board member, then a shared CFO for a cohort of 5 organizations, and now as a consultant. Kevin is excited to bring his skills and expertise serving to Tree’s Pittsburgh board so that the organization can enhance and preserve our urban forest. Kevin’s favorite tree is the thriving American elm tree in his backyard.
Lisa Ceoffe
Bio coming soon!
Sam Chan
Sam is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the Office of Sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh. She works with the Pitt Sustainability team, providing strategic support to help Pitt advance its 68 sustainability goals along with becoming carbon neutral by 2037. Her professional experience includes performing embodied energy calculations on recycling techniques for fiber composite epoxy laminate, public health research, wildlife conservation, and biophilic resiliency initiatives that benefit both people and planet. Sam has a Master’s of Sustainability from Chatham University. Sam joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2023 because she is passionate about growing our urban tree canopy and achieving environmental health benefits for our region by expanding green spaces. Sam’s favorite tree is the quaking aspen because of its fascinating ability to clone itself.
Gregg Cooper
Gregg spent over thirty years as an executive in technology and financial services whose career spanned serving Pittsburgh-based as well as global companies.  Gregg first became aware of Tree Pittsburgh several years ago when he and his wife embarked on reforesting part of their property.  The great experience with the Tree Pittsburgh team and its mission inspired him to join the Board.  A native of Pittsburgh, Gregg and his wife raised four sons and are now enjoying their new stage of life as grandparents.  Gregg’s favorite tree is the dawn redwood.Â
Cassie Guerin
Cassie Guerin is the Director of Development at Allegheny Health Network, where she partners with clinicians, institutes, and donors to advance philanthropic support for programs that ensure all people have access to high-quality healthcare—especially during some of life’s most difficult moments. She brings over a decade of experience in fundraising, partnerships, and coalition-building. With a background in Environmental Science, Cassie has spent her career working at the intersection of economic development, land use, and health, including roles at Highmark Health, InnovatePGH, and the Green Building Alliance. She is committed to strengthening the civic and environmental fabric of the city.
Cassie is passionate about supporting Tree Pittsburgh because trees remind us to ground ourselves, to find strength in patience and stillness, and to trust in renewal through life’s changing seasons. She hopes every person—especially every child—has a tree they can grow up alongside, one that offers quiet steadiness through all of life’s changes. Outside of work, she finds joy and grounding through time outdoors, walks with loved ones, meditation, and dancing. One of her favorite trees is a redwood.
John Oliverio
John is the Vice President, Human Resources for Audia International. John leads all HR functions, organizational strategy, and administration for over 1,400 employees located throughout the world. The mission of Tree Pittsburgh is what drove him to get involved with the organization through tree plantings, Tree Tender training, Tree ID walks, seed seminars, special events, etc. He wanted to do more for the organization and serving on the board was an important step for him. He enjoys interacting with the staff, volunteers, board members, and all the people involved with the organization that understands the importance of a strong tree canopy. John’s favorite tree is the quaking aspen.
Larkin Page-Jacobs
Larkin Page-Jacobs is a journalist-turned content and communications leader whose work spans public media, tech, and philanthropy. She has led editorial and marketing efforts with a focus on clear storytelling, community connection, and public good impact. A lifelong tree hugger, she’s excited to support Tree Pittsburgh’s work to strengthen neighborhoods by building community, cooling city streets, and improving air quality through a healthier urban forest. When she’s not working, Larkin is playing soccer with her kids, spending time with friends, and taking on small home construction projects with more enthusiasm than expertise. Her favorite tree is the sycamore, for its sprawling canopy and beautiful bark.
Matthew Plecity
An architect with a landscape architecture background, Matt (AIA, ASLA) has worked on several notable Pittsburgh landmarks including the Environmental Center at Frick Park, the Tower at PNC Plaza, Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). Matt first began collaborating with Tree Pittsburgh designing the net-zero energy headquarters and fell in love with the organization and its mission. On weekends, Matt is frequently found enjoying Pittsburgh’s parks with his wife and four daughters. Matt’s favorite tree is the Douglas fir.
Nikole Sheaffer
Nikole Brugnoli Sheaffer is a nonprofit leader, systems thinker, and creative strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing environmental education, conservation, and community-centered work. She serves as Vice President of Development & Marketing at Allegheny Land Trust, where she leads strategic communications and philanthropic partnerships in support of long-term land stewardship across the region. Nikole’s career includes leadership roles at the Environmental Charter School and Carnegie Science Center, with a focus on environmental literacy, equity, and organizational resilience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College and a Master’s from the University of Maryland. Her favorite tree is the ginkgo biloba, a symbol of endurance and resilience, and a gentle reminder that strong communities –like good trees– weather change best when they’re deeply rooted and cared for together.
Ryan Warsing
Ryan is an avid volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh and first joined the board in 2025. He is the Director of Sustainability at Pittsburgh Regional Transit, where he coordinates the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. He has degrees from the College of William and Mary and Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs. He currently lives in the North Side and appreciates a good birch.
Jason Willis
Jason serves as Senior Solicitor for the Allegheny County Health Department, where he advises the Department Director and Board of Health. With 25 years of legal experience, including a decade providing counsel on environmental and public health laws such as the Clean Air Act, he brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance and community health protection. His commitment to Tree Pittsburgh’s mission of restoring and protecting the urban forest through tree planting, care, education, and advocacy stems from both his professional dedication to environmental protection and his prior role as Reserve Manager for the Frick Park Nature Reserve, where he helped preserve and revitalize a 40-acre natural area. An avid yoga practitioner and cyclist, he believes in the power of a healthy, equitable tree canopy to strengthen community vitality, improve environmental and public health outcomes, and foster resilient, connected neighborhoods for all. Jason’s favorite tree is the mighty maple.