Executive Director – Canopy
Canopy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Palo Alto, California, envisions that one day every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside and walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees. Since its founding in 1996, Canopy has expanded to serve and partner with neighboring communities, including East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Belle Haven in Menlo Park, and North Fair Oaks, and is committed to increasing its focus in communities with fewer resources and less tree canopy. Canopy accomplishes its mission through three core program areas: tree planting and care, education, and advocacy.
Trees are recognized as essential for adapting urban environments to the realities of climate change and can also help address systemic urban inequities. As weather becomes more extreme, trees provide clear benefits to urban communities. In addition to mitigating the impact of high temperatures and stabilizing soil during increased rains, trees provide important health benefits, including improved air quality and easily accessible space for reducing stress and promoting mental health. Due to limited resources, competing priorities, and historical development patterns, which include redlining and racial segregation policies, not all communities benefit equally from the existing urban forest. This “green gap” is not just a matter of aesthetics; trees are a matter of public health, ecosystem health, and community well-being.
The Executive Director (ED), reporting to the Chair of the Board and accountable to the Board of Directors, will be an important face for the organization in the communities Canopy serves. The ED will have overall responsibility for the relationships needed to support Canopy’s programs and operations and for expanding the high level of trust the organization currently enjoys. The ED will also be an important thought leader and strategist who will continue to evolve the direction of the organization and increase its impact, build the financial resources required for sustainable programming, and grow its organizational strength and effectiveness. Acting as a resource for the organization, the ED connects the vision and work of Canopy to the greater community and inspires others to act. Working across the organization with program leaders, staff, Board members and other volunteers, the ED centers and advances the mission in day-to-day work.
Please contact Nancy Painter should you be interested in learning more or submit your background for consideration to Nancy@painterexecutivesearch.com. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website Canopy.
