Leadership
The Education Operating Committee provides governance and leadership to Project Learning Tree. The committee’s responsibilities include:
- Recommending goals and policies for PLT and other educational programs
- Developing annual operating plans and budgets for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) Board of Directors’ approval
- Assisting with fundraising activities
- Participating in PLT’s programs and activities
- Initiating strategic planning for PLT and other SFI education programs
PLT National Staff
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Christine.Leduc@forests.org
Christine leads SFI’s binational communications team, which also includes Project Learning Tree and Project Learning Tree Canada. She oversees strategic communications while also developing and implementing a range of government and public relations activities. Christine is a Registered Professional Forester with over a decade of experience in forestry, policy, communications, public affairs, issues management, and Indigenous relations. She is a proud Francophone with a Master of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto. Outside work, Christine spends as much time as she can enjoying the forests of northern Ontario with her daughter.
Ana Leirner
Senior Director, Professional Learning and Education Products
Ana.Leirner@forests.org
Ana designs and develops high-quality professional development materials and programming to prepare educators to integrate PLT environmental education materials into their teaching. Ana is focused on helping educators become comfortable teaching outdoors in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Ana creates engaging and hands-on online courses and supports the PLT network in delivering in-person professional development using best practices in educator professional development. Previously she worked as an instructional designer in various industries, designing online professional development courses for a diverse audience, including K-8 STEM teachers in Latin America. Ana holds an Ed.M. in Educational Media and Technology from Boston University, an MBA from Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, Brazil, and a B.A. in Psychology from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo.
Kate Nagle
Director, Education & PLT Network
Kate.Nagle@forests.org
Kate plays a key role in strategic and programmatic operations at Project Learning Tree® (PLT). She advises on and implements strategies to deepen the relationships between the PLT network and SFI-certified organizations and SFI Implementation Committees. Kate also works directly with the PLT network of state and international partners to strengthen the implementation of PLT programs. She takes the lead in integrating team members and identifying training and support needs to ensure efficient and timely development of resources and program delivery. Prior to joining SFI, Kate was Program Director at the Chemical Educational Foundation where she engaged a national network of volunteers to reform their educational programs to focus on equity, student experience, and impact. She spent the first eight years of her career as a classroom teacher and professional development leader, working with students with special needs and students from historically underserved communities. Kate holds a Master of Education in secondary chemistry from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in conservation chemistry from Sarah Lawrence College.
Rocco Saracina
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Rocco.Saracina@forests.org
Rocco develops strategies and builds partnerships advancing an appreciation for nature and enhancing connections among healthy communities to nature-based education, social and emotional wellness, and environmental conservation. His experience spans a decade in the conservation and environmental education sector and features a wide breadth of programmatic experiences and network connections. Rocco serves on the executive leadership team of the Society of American Forester’s (SAF) Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Before joining SFI in 2013, he conducted fire ecology field studies as a U.S. Forest Service technician and stream geomorphology and habitat assessments with an environmental consulting firm. He holds an M.S. in Natural Resource Sustainability from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University.
Dominic Weeks
Manager, Career Readiness
Dominic.Weeks@forests.org
As part of the SFI Career Pathways Team, Dominic plays a key role in building a diverse and resilient workforce in the sustainability and conservation sector through SFI’s mentorship programming. Currently, he is focusing on scaling up mentorship programing to serve youth across the US and Canada. Prior to joining SFI, Dominic helped over 3,000 individuals find their career path. He also has a plethora of experience in career development specific to BIPOC and disenfranchised communities, program management, and community engagement. Dominic holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bowie State University and a project manager certification from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Outside work, Dominic loves to birdwatch and explore new caves and hiking trails.
Shuya Huang-Young
Senior Coordinator, Education Systems
Shuya.Huang@forests.org
Shuya supports green career pathways for diverse youth and helps form strong partnerships with forest and conservation sector employers. She enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors in her free time. Prior to joining PLT, Shuya worked as a biologist at a ecological consulting firm, a field researcher at a Chinese environmental NGO, and organized several events at the United Nations Conventions. Fluent in English and Mandarin, and practicing French, Shuya has a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Toronto.
Lola Ilelaboye
Senior Coordinator, PLT Data Systems & Operations
lola.Ilelaboye@forests.org
Lola supports and collaborates with SFI education team members across the US and Canada. Together, they work to achieve the goals of the SFI Education Pillar primarily through supporting SFI’s education program Project Learning Tree (PLT). Through PLT, SFI advances environmental literacy, stewardship, and career pathways using trees and forests as windows on the world. Lola’s work encompasses network relationship management and operational system priorities, program research and strategy, and delivery and reporting. Lola also prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in all her work and gives priority to Indigenous ways of knowing in developing, executing, and communicating all SFI-led or partnered projects. Prior to joining SFI, Lola worked for leading global media and technology companies. She also has experience in the museum, film, and music sectors. Lola holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba. Away from work she enjoys travelling, all things arts and culture related, and spending time with her young son.
Jaclyn Stallard
Curriculum Advisor and Network Lead
Jaclyn.Stallard@forests.org
Jackie oversees the next generation of PLT’s PreK-12 environmental education materials, as well as other instructional materials and resources. She also directs strategic alliances that advance curriculum implementation with other environmental education and sustainability resource providers at the national level. Jackie presents and exhibits PLT’s curriculum and SFI programs at education and conservation conferences across the United States. Three curricula Jackie developed have won Teachers’ Choice Awards, and she regularly serves as an Envirothon Judge for national competitions. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University in Massachusetts.
PLT Internship Program
Learn more about opportunities to join PLT as an intern here.