New Director of the Cleveland Tree Coalition

The Cleveland Tree Coalition (CTC) is excited to announce the appointment of Sara Tillie as Director. The Coalition, a partnership of numerous organizations, businesses, and branches of local government, is dedicated to creating a healthy, vibrant, sustainable, and equitable urban forest by collaboratively implementing the Cleveland Tree Plan.

In her new role, Sara Tillie will serve as the outward-facing leader of the CTC. She will work to raise awareness about the critical need for a robust tree canopy in Cleveland and secure funding from both public and private sources to advance the goals of the CTC and the Cleveland Tree Plan. The CTC is a powerful platform capable of influencing public policy and sentiment at the local, state, and federal levels. Sara will be responsible for developing, enhancing, and deploying this platform of relationships and capacity. She will officially begin her role as Director on July 22, 2024.

Sara Tillie brings a wealth of experience to the CTC. Most recently, she served as a policy research analyst for the City of Cleveland Department of Public Health, where she supported operations in the Division of Health Equity and Social Justice and identified and coordinated policies and programs addressing the social determinants of health equity. Prior to that, Sara held several positions with Lorain County Public Health, where she coordinated policy, systems, and environmental changes across numerous areas, including chronic disease, maternal and child health, injury prevention, and health equity.

“We are excited to welcome Sara to the Cleveland Tree Coalition leadership role and to work closely with her on achieving mutual goals connecting community forestry, climate resiliency and health equity.” – Sarah O’Keeffe, Director of Sustainability & Climate Justice (City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability)

Rich Cochran, President and CEO of Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Chair of the Cleveland Tree Coalition, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Sara Tillie as our new director. With extensive experience in public health, Sara brings a deep understanding of the connection between human health and environmental conditions. Her expertise and passion will be instrumental in furthering our mission to create a cleaner and greener Cleveland for all.”

An active participant in community organizations, Sara has served as Board President and Trustee for OHIO Master’s Swimming, on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee for NOACA, and on the Citizen’s Advisory Council for the City of Lakewood.

Sara holds a master’s degree in urban planning and design from Cleveland State University, a master’s degree in public health from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), and a bachelor’s degree in medical anthropology and Asian studies, also from CWRU.