Staff + Board
Bryant Smith, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bryant works with staff, stakeholders, and the organization’s Board of Directors to execute the organization’s strategic priorities.
A native of East Baltimore, Bryant was selected to lead the organization after a distinguished career as an Urban Forester with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks. In a career spanning nearly thirty years, he has served in senior leadership positions with the U.S. Forest Service and environmental nonprofits across the Chesapeake Bay region.
Bryant is a past Warnock Foundation Fellow, as well as a licensed commercial pilot, who, in 2015, founded and led Flight One Carriers to fly relief missions to victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Justin Bowers, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Justin oversees our staff and community partnerships to implement the organization’s core programs – Trees for Public Health, Urban Roots Apprenticeship, and Putting Down Roots.
Beginning his career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Justin has over 8 years of experience in urban ecology and watershed conservation. While completing Master’s Degrees in Landscape Architecture and Conservation Ecology at the University of Michigan, he served as the chief caretaker of the university’s botanical gardens and arboretum.
Justin is an ISA-certified arborist and co-chair of the Baltimore City Forest Conservancy District Board.
Amy Burke, OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Amy keeps us running smoothly by streamlining systems of tracking, organization, coordination, and communication.
She acts as a bridge highlighting our work in the field for funders and constituents by managing our social media, brand identity, and grant applications. She has nearly a decade of experience working in non-profits both nationally and internationally, and comes to Tree Trust with a public health lens, and her Master’s of Social Work in Community Action and Social Policy. Amy is passionate about the intersection of community and social determinants of health—especially environmental impact.
A native-Pennsylvanian, Amy has lived in East Baltimore since 2011. She has a long history of working for service-oriented initiatives such as Peace Corps, Baltimore Corps, AmeriCorps, and Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
Kwamel Couther, TREE CARE FOREMAN
Starting his tree-care and maintenance career at just 15 years old, Kwamel is now a self-proclaimed outdoorsman who loves to see his work grow.
Prior to joining BTT, Kwamel spent several years with Civic Works, Cylburn Arboretum, and a privately-held residential landscaping company. Kwamel was the recipient of the first annual Ed Miller Award and the 2015 Volunteer of the Year award from Civic Works.
Kwamel is currently completing his certificate in Sustainable Horticulture at the Community College of Baltimore County.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Margaret Baldwin
David Bramble
Christopher Feiss
Alex Fisher
Robert Gray
Doug Holthaus
Allan House
Chris Mfume
Joan Plisko
Thomasina Poirot
Ashley Principe
Mark Smolarz
Annie Umbricht
Chad Vrany
Michael Woollen
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Jane Brown
Howard Cohen
W. T. Dixon “Dick” Gibbs
Barbara Shea
HONORARY MEMBER
Tom Horton
