About Us

Staff

• Kelsey combines her love of the natural world with writing and advocacy. As a Cincinnati native, she has been involved with climate advocacy at both the local, national, and international scale. Before joining Groundwork, Kelsey led program development and outreach of energy efficiency programs as a Sustainability Fellow with the City of Cincinnati and conducted research as a Climate Policy Intern and later Fellow for the Institute for Policy Studies. As the CSN Director, Kelsey leads community-driven community resilience and engagement efforts. Kelsey holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Eastern Michigan University with minors in International Affairs and Literature and is pursuing a facilitation certification through the National Association of Climate Resilience Planners. Her favorite hobbies include hiking, enjoying the arts scene in the city, reading, and dancing.

  

• As a kid in rural West Virginia, Tiffany cared for her herd of goats and enjoyed the outdoors. These experiences led to a lifelong devotion to conservation, including land conservancy work, where Tiffany developed her GIS mapping skills. After receiving an MS in Environmental Studies with a GIS certification from Ohio University, Tiffany was hired as the GIS Analyst for Groundwork ORV where she uses her GIS skills to improve people's lives and the environment. Tiffany is guided by the belief that everyone has a right to a clean and enjoyable environment and that past environmental injustices must be rectified.

  

• Nancy has 20+ years of experience in non-profit finance and accounting, including stints at Civic Garden Center, Planned Parenthood, Drop Inn Center, and Council on Aging. She has undergraduate degrees in Landscape Horticulture and Workforce Diversity Management and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry. Before her accounting career, she worked in several retail and commercial greenhouses in Cincinnati and North Carolina and also started a retail operation for a local wholesale perennial plant nursery. Besides just being outside enjoying nature, her interests include gardening, embroidery, weaving, fiber arts, pastel painting, jazz and classical music, and two lovable Shelties.

  

• Jaeydah has always had a passion for the environment, causing her to pursue a career in the environmental field. As a Cincinnati native, she is proud to work in the city she grew up in, connecting Cincinnati communities to their local environments through various programs and community engagement events. During her time at Groundwork, she has helped with youth programming, citizen science, and resident engagement. As a 2023 NAEE CEE-Change Fellow, she is excited to continue sharing her passions with a wider audience. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Environmental Studies from Northern Kentucky University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, nature walks, and visiting local thrift stores with her sister.

  

• Adriana Arias joined Groundwork in 2022 as a Youth Leader, bringing her passion and energy to projects in Lower Price Hill, the Lick Run Greenway, and Aiken High School. A proud graduate of the University of Cincinnati, she holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Digital Media Collaborative. Through her studies and hands-on work in the community, Adriana discovered a deep commitment to making environmental education engaging, accessible, and easy to understand for everyone. Outside of work, you can find her soaking up Cincinnati’s vibrant music scene or hitting the trails in local, state, and national parks.

  

• A member of the South Cumminsville climate safe neighborhoods, Anthony enjoys hiking and helping to make a difference in the community. Anthony also takes interest in learning about the environment and teaching the youth why it’s important that we take care of it.

  

• Lilly began working at Groundwork to partake in field work that directly impacts the local ecology and residents, allowing them to enhance the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Passionate about community growth to enhance quality of life and facilitate access to resources. Lilly has been focused on pursuing a career focused on environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community building. Consistently active in various community programs and small scale farming operations utilizing permaculture design.

  

• Brad’s love for the outdoors started at a young age when he joined cub scouts and has since found a passion for the outdoors. Brad has a degree in History from Northern Kentucky University but his passion rests with environmental restoration, protection and justice. Prior to joining Groundwork Brad worked for the Center of Environmental Restoration for several years gaining valuable knowledge and experience about native plants, invasive species management, streambank restoration and heavy machinery operating. Brad joined Groundwork ORV in 2022 as a Green Team Leader but quickly advanced to becoming a member of the Green Corp where he continues to grow as a professional.

  

• Tory's upbringing on a dairy goat farm ignited her passion for nature. She graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a major in Environmental Science and a micro-credential in Environmental Education. Joining Groundwork as a Youth Leader intern, Tory's dedication propelled her to the role of Operations Director, spearheading impactful environmental initiatives at the organizational level. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds solace and excitement in outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. However, her true fulfillment comes from educating young minds about the environment. For her, teaching isn't merely about imparting knowledge but fostering a profound connection to nature's wonders, ensuring a brighter, greener future for all.

  

• Daniel was born and raised in Cincinnati spending much of his youth in Bond HIll. Growing up, he attended online school which led him to have a desire to be outdoors and in nature. Daniel’s curiosity about his surrounding environment led him to joining Groundwork’s Green Team in 2020. He has gained lots of knowledge and had a lot of experience through associating himself with Groundwork which eventually led him to joining full time as a member of the Groundwork’s Green Corp after graduation, where he continues to grow and exceed his own expectations.

  

• Latonya Maley (they) is an award-winning non-profit leader and conservationist with 18 years of professional experience in community organizing, research, and healthcare. Latonya’s liberation work focuses on relationship-building, Afro-Indigenous knowledge, and evidence-based interventions to heal oppression and protect the environment. They are passionate about accessibility for people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, older adults, system’s involving youth, and people experiencing poverty. Latonya stewards incubation spaces for youth and BIPOC leaders to address social justice issues through art, mutual aid, direct services, and public advocacy. They have led multidisciplinary teams of professionals to expand programs and work with public institutions while maintaining their justice values and trauma-informed culture of care. Latonya is a Naturalist in both Ohio and Illinois, and has a BA in Anthropology from Agnes Scott College and a Master’s in Public Health from University of Illinois at Chicago, with a concentration in global health and community based sciences. When they are not volunteering as a protest medic they can be found enjoying DIY home projects, reading Sci-Fi novels, and parenting their 60 house plants and 4 rescue animals.

  

• Sydney's passion for humanitarianism and fostering positive change within her community deeply aligns with her role as the CSN Coordinator at Groundwork. A proud graduate of the University of Cincinnati, she holds a degree in Political Science and International Affairs, along with a certificate in Legal Studies. Her academic journey, paired with a growing love for Cincinnati’s vibrant history, strong sense of community, and surrounding natural beauty, has shaped her passion for environmental and social justice in this city. Her earliest and most memorable experiences with nature fostered in her grandmother’s garden, where she learned to tend plants from her grandmother’s green thumb. That foundation sparked a lasting appreciation for the natural world—one that continues to inspire her today. Her desire to understand, protect and connect with nature has led her to this role, and she couldn’t be more grateful. Outside of work, Sydney tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She adores a good meal, good company, animals and creatures of all kinds, and beautiful scenic environments—often pausing to capture each special moment she comes across. In her free time, you might catch her working on her fitness, dancing to her records, or crocheting under the trees at her favorite local park—Burnet Woods.