Our Staff
David Meshoulam (he/him)
Co-Founder & Executive DirectorDavid (pronounced Dah-veed) co-founded Speak for the Trees in 2018. Since a young child, he has always been fascinated with nature, trees, and leaves. After a brief stint thinking about science and philosophy in college, he turned to teaching high-school science. In the classroom, he focused on ways to increase students' understanding of the connections between science, culture, and history as a way to empower them to be change agents and active participants in the politics of science. He is a Senior Fellow at the Environmental Leadership Program, a graduate of the Green Communities Leadership Institute, and just completed his term as co-chair of the Urban Ecology Collaborative. You can reach him at david@treeboston.org.
MarS McCormick (Li/They/All Pronouns)
Associate DirectorMarS was born and raised in Boston and spent half their life working with marginalized youths that are new immigrants, living in group homes, on the spectrum, or with visual impairments and other disabilities. Previously, they worked as Community Manager at Tech Goes Home building community in the fight against digital inequities and other systemic oppressions by co-creating spaces for healing and liberation. MarS has certifications in Social Justice Mediation from Vital Village Networks at Boston Medical Center and in Community Leadership and Social Change from Tufts University and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. They are also a Registered Behavioral Technician and have a BA in Management, Operations & Logistics from Southern New Hampshire University. MarS is also a co-circle-keeper for Come thru, Sis. They are a loving parent, partner, & community member. Their favorite things to do include arcades, field games, joking, and being in community with their friends.
Fitgee Jean-Pierre (he/him)
Director of FinanceFitgee was born and raised in Boston, is a Boston College alumni and member of the Janey Scholars. He graduated in 2022 with degrees in both business and African Diaspora studies. He is a former member of FACES, an anti-racism group based in Boston College and was an administrator of Black at Boston College, an online forum allowing Black students to share their stories of discrimination. He was previously interned at Loomis Sayles, where he then took on a full-time position as a Portfolio Analyst
Jerel Ferguson (he/him)
Community Outreach ManagerJerel has a profound love of nature, trees, and the Great Outdoors. A true tree hugger, he encourages urban youth and families to participate in and experience an active life in the outdoors by hiking, camping, and more. Jerel is an herbalist, a forager, and an established outdoor leader. He has a passion for growing and cooking food, he's also an urban farmer and gardener. Jerel has three boys and a cat named Oscar.
Jonathan Cheney (he/him)
Community Tree SpecialistJonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from UMass-Amherst and certification from the International Society of Arboriculture. Previous to joining SFTT, Jonathan worked as an arborist for 4 years, maintaining trees from the canopy to the roots. Jonathan brings his experience and passion to help local community members make a connection with their urban canopy.
Joshua Reed (he/him)
Education CoordinatorJosh is interested in environmental and economic justice policy issues and passionate about volunteerism. He believes strongly in educating youth on environmental justice and sustainable development. Previous to SFTT, he served in the Peace Corps in Comoros as a TEFL Volunteer and also joined local Comorians in various sustainable environmental projects. In AmeriCorps he served as a Volunteer Manager for the nonprofit Opportunity Living. He is a lover of nature and explores new hiking and camping spots throughout New England. He recently completed his MA in Applied Politics at Suffolk University.
Lily Bonilla-Reyes (she/her/they/them)
Tree Care AssociateLily was born and raised in East Boston and is a recent PowerCorpsBOS graduate. As a Boston native they have experienced first hand how lack of tree equity and lack of green spaces in our city has affected our ability to connect with each other and our earth. Lily is passionate about creating, maintaining, and conserving urban green spaces, while making sure that they are accessible to all. Their goal is to become a certified arborist, caring for trees all throughout the city. Throughout her career Lily hopes to engage more of her community into learning more about the importance and value of environmental sustainability. Some of Lily’s favorite things to do are taking a nice long hike through the forest, crocheting, sewing and spending time with loved ones.
Abigail Ferrone (she/her)
MassCEC Fall InternAbigail Ferrone is an undergraduate student at Simmons University studying political science and philosophy. After taking an environmental science class, Abigail became interested in pursuing a career in environmental law. During a part-time job, she began assisting a coworker with her blog and social media profiles and discovered it was her new passion. Her previous work on social media outreach guided her to use her passion at Speak for the Trees, Boston. In her free time, she loves to bake, hike, and attend heavy metal concerts.
Mel Lord (he/they)
MassCEC Fall InternMel is originally from New York City and there, he became interested in plants in the city's parks. He is a senior at Brandeis University, majoring in Environmental Studies. A pivotal early class in tree identification inspired Mel to become interested in trees and urban forestry, and he hopes to continue to pursue these interests in his career. In his free time, Mel loves to hike, draw and make collages, read, and explore Boston.
Our Board
Tracy Sopchak
Board ChairTracy Sopchak is Director of Development and Engagement at the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
Danielle Kaplan
Board MemberDanielle Kaplan is an MBA candidate at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and founder and maker of DaniJayne.
Grey Lee
Board Member and ClerkGrey Lee is a sustainability subject matter expert and manages S&P Global's ESG service offerings for the northeast US.
Christine Araujo
Board MemberChristine Araujo is a consultant at Zuaria Partners and is the former Executive Director of the American City Coalition in Roxbury.
Kareema Scott, Esq.
Board MemberKareema Scott is a Family and Community Engagement Liaison at Melvin H. King South End Academy of Boston Public Schools.
Joel Marquis
Board Member and TreasurerJoel Marquis is Executive Director, Innovation Economy, Technology at JP Morgan
Judith Thomas
Board MemberJudi Thomas is Human Resources Director and Business Partner at Partners In Health
