Hi there! I'm Tori, a forward-thinking conservation specialist with a diverse background. I have my Masters in Environmental Science with a focuses on Ecosystem Science and Management, Sustainable Systems, and Behavior, Education, and Communication. I also hold a Bachelors degree from Wayne State University with a focus in Business Administration and Communication Studies, and I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.99 GPA. 

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My last three years as a Primary Research Lead with the nonprofit Pierella Rainforest Reclamation Project has led me to become a co-leader of our newest reforestation project. My responsibilities in this role include evaluating the topography of the plot and creating a digital representation within ArcGIS, determining the mix of pioneer species to plant, managing the planting process, and collecting data on each tree for tracking as part of an international study on natural and assisted reforestation with the Global Experiments Network.

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As an ISA Certified Arborist for Green Cross, I use my knowledge of local insect and disease development to diagnose pests and diseases and subsequently apply therapeutic and preventative treatments within integrated pest management plans. Within this role, I have learned an incredible amount of what stressors New York trees go through, and how to best support their success and growth. I also regularly advise and educate clients on best planting practices while balancing relations with referral generators. 

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Working with Green Cross, I also created weekly educational content for company-wide presentations on topics such as Tree Biology and Evolution, Tree Identification, Evergreen Fungi and Disease, and Maintaining Client Relations. These presentations, along with my role as Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan, gave me confidence in presenting dense information to both my superiors and peers in a professional and engaging manner.

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I also bring a strong background in project management, honed through various leadership roles. This includes my position as the Alumni Relations Chair for the School for Environment and Sustainability Student Government where I managed budgets during event planning and fundraised thousands of dollars for future scholarships. In my position as Mentorship Program Chair for the American Society of Adaptation Professionals, I evaluated applicants, paired mentorship teams, and facilitated multiple cross-cohort calls. Finally, as a Research Consultant for Coopedota RL, I facilitated interviews with coffee farmers in Spanish, collected forest carbon data on over 39 farms, and devised recommendations for future production area plans in accordance with Coopedota’s carbon accounting goals. In all of these roles, I excelled at balancing team milestones with client timelines, performed quality control of project outputs at every step, and kept clients updated on progress. Both in my personal and professional life, I am described as constantly moving, managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while also having fun doing so.