Our Team

 

Executive Director

Tanner was raised by scientists, and grew up paddling, biking, and hiking. After earning a degree in ecology, he worked on a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. His Peace Corps service involved resource management and eco-tourism. During graduate school, Tanner helped form Greater Cincinnati’s Tri-State Trails Coalition. He is a National Park Service Mountains to Main Street Ambassador; SHIFT Emerging Leader; and recipient of the 2018 Murie Center Rising Leader Award. As a co-founder of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Tanner has led the creation of one of the nation's largest youth green workforce programs and brought Climate Safe Neighborhoods to Cincinnati. Yess’ passion is creating new pathways for diverse youth to access green careers.

 

Staff

Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson

Community and Climate Programs Director

Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson has a degree in Anthropology from Eastern Michigan University. Prior to Groundwork, she worked at the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability on community engagement, equity and energy efficiency efforts. Kelsey combines her love of the natural world with writing and advocacy. She will be helping maintain partnerships, communications, and assisting the Climate Safe Neighborhoods program. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with family, reading, and baking.

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Citizen Science Program Director

Jaeydah majored in Biology and minored in Environmental Studies at Northern Kentucky University. She is a Cincinnati native who is passionate about the environment and conservation. She enjoys hiking, nature walks, and teaching others about the environment. In the past, she has worked in community engagement and hopes to get more people involved in environmental protection.

Tiffany Harvey

GIS and Operations Director

As a kid in rural West Virginia, Tiffany cared for her small herd of goats and enjoyed trout fishing, hiking, and photography. 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. She is looking forward to using her conservation knowledge and GIS skills to improve people's lives and the environment.

Tory Putterbaugh

Youth Programs Manager

Growing up on a dairy goat farm, Tory realized her passion for working outdoors and enjoying all that nature has to offer. As a recent graduate from Northern Kentucky University, Tory majored in Environmental Science and also earned a micro-credential in Environmental Education. She started her journey with Groundwork as a Youth Leader intern, and over time, advanced her role to Program Manager who oversees and manages youth employed programs. Tory enjoys spending her time outdoors, hiking, and kayaking. She has a passion for teaching young minds about the environment and the importance of protecting it, especially if they are having fun while doing so.

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Worksite Supervisor

Micah is the manager of the Green Corps and shares his deep knowledge of local ecosystems and streams with them. He gained his education from NKU Center for Environmental Restoration, where he mastered the operation of heavy machinery, the management of invasive species, streambank restoration, and native seed collection.

Luis Aguilar

Green Team Program Director

Luis Aguilar joins Groundwork as the new Youth Employment Program Manager. His passion for conservation and love for prairies began in Houston, TX where he is originally from. Luis studied Biology at the University of Houston - Downtown. Now in the Queen City of Cincinnati, he is continuing his education in Environmental Biosciences at the University of Cincinnati. With his background working as a Youth Leader, Environmental Educator and Applied Conservation Research Intern in Texas, he aims to protect our threatened flora & fauna and hopes to connect the next generation of conservation stewards to the great outdoors!

Sierra Hayden

Youth Programs Coordinator

Sierra Hayden is a dedicated advocate for Environmental Justice, armed with a Sustainable Agriculture degree. Her professional journey has been a steadfast commitment to tackling issues of environmental education, equitable food access, and revitalizing disinvested communities. Sierra's formative years were spent on two acres in rural Kentucky, where outdoor exploration was her primary pastime, as children were not allowed indoors. It was during this period that her profound appreciation for the outdoors first took root. As she shifted into her teenage and young adult years, Sierra transitioned into living in low-income urban neighborhoods, where she witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of food apartheid, the absence of community ownership, and the scarcity of environmental education resources.
Having personally experienced life within the welfare system, Sierra recognizes the vital importance of ensuring equitable access to green education. Her passion lies in equipping today's youth with the necessary tools to thrive in a world where environmental awareness is key.

Green Corps

Anthony Buie

Born in Northside Anthony Buie spent most of his time in the woods of Mt Airy forest and around nature which shaped his passion for the outdoors. This deep interest and thirst for knowledge led Anthony to Groundwork MCA in 2014 where he became a part of the organization’s youth green workforce by becoming a green team member. After that summer Anthony stayed associated with Groundwork while taking on leadership roles with the YMCA. Anthony continued to expand upon his passion for the outdoors and joined Groundwork ORV’s Green Corps where he continues to thrive as a professional and continues to develop and grow within his workspace.

Lia De La Cruz

Lia was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Fairfield, Ohio with her family when she was about two years old. She’s loved being outdoors and being involved with nature since she was very young. She likes to take walks and hikes whenever she can, some of her favorite places she’s hiked have been Red River Gorge in Kentucky, Hinton, West Virginia, and Thurmond, West Virginia. When she’s not outdoors, she likes to watch movies and spend time with friends and family, and her cat, Skunk. She also loves reading and practicing yoga. She’s very passionate about environmental and social justice and is eager to learn more about both as she continues to go through life. She is very excited to see what the future has in store for her!

Anthony Smith

Anthony is the Green Corps lead sawyer. He's a member of the South Cumminsville climate safe neighborhoods, enjoys hiking and helping to make a change 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.

Brad O’Shea

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.

Daniel Hill

Daniel was born and raised in Cincinnati spending much of his youth in Bond HIll. Growing up Daniel 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. Daniel 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.

Lilly Harvey

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.