Senior Staff Team
Scott Steen
As chief executive officer, Scott Steen drives the American Forests vision, steers its creative direction, and ensures its effective operational and financial well-being. He is responsible for leading the strategic development of American Forests’ programs and initiatives, forging key partnerships, and advancing the organization’s growth and impact on the environment and society.
Prior to joining American Forests in December 2010, Steen had been executive director of the American Ceramic Society, a technical society whose members work at the frontiers of science in environmental technologies, alternative energy, space exploration, and biomaterials. Founded in 1898, ACerS advances the study, understanding, and use of ceramic materials and technologies.
Previously, Steen was chief knowledge and strategy officer at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), an international organization with 22,000 association and nonprofit leader members. He played a pivotal role in the creation of the Center for Association Leadership, where he served as the Center’s first chief operating officer until the organization merged with ASAE in 2004. Steen is a certified association executive, a fellow of ASAE, and is the founding editor of the Journal of Association Leadership.
“There are few things that clear my head like a walk in the woods. As a kid, I developed a deep appreciation for the awesome beauty of forests. Later, I discovered the critical role they play in the health of our planet. Forests are among the most important ecosystems on earth. We ignore them or misuse them at our own peril.”
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Gerald J. Gray, Ph.D.
As Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs at American Forests, Gray oversees public policy, restoration tree-planting, and the urban forest program. He has extensive experience working on public policy issues related to the restoration, protection, and maintenance of public and private forests. Gray has worked on major public lands issues, such as forest ecosystem health, wildfire, and old-growth forests, and he has been closely involved in developing key federal programs for private and community forests, such as the Forest Stewardship, Forest Legacy, and Urban and Community Forestry programs. Gray has also sought to advance innovative strategies and solutions to emerging issues such as climate change and ecosystem services through demonstration projects. Since the mid-1990s, his work has focused on advancing community forestry in the US by helping to bring the voices of community partners from rural and urban areas to the national policy arena.
Prior to joining American Forests in 1988, Gray worked as a state forest resource planner with the Division of Forestry, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and with the US Forest Service, Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry. He holds a Doctor of Forestry degree from the University of Minnesota (1987), a Master of Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (1982), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Yale University (1978).
“What I appreciate most about working at American Forests is that it attracts people with a passion for forests. It’s a place where a diverse set of people—scientists, citizens, forest practitioners, businesses, and policymakers—can work together to find innovative solutions to the major environmental issues of the day by protecting and restoring forests.”
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As Vice President of Community & Strategic Initiatives for American Forests, Peter Hutchins implements initiatives focused on providing valuable member experiences through the organization’s website, social media efforts, the magazine, public outreach projects, and the membership program, focusing both on visitor engagement, and helping to educate people on protecting and restoring urban and rural forests.
Hutchins has over 13 years of experience providing strategic direction for successful websites within the association and nonprofit community. As Vice President of Knowledge Initiatives for American Society for Association Executives (ASAE), Hutchins was responsible for implementing online content within the ASAE website and their social media initiatives. In addition to overseeing all strategic knowledge initiatives, Hutchins oversaw the Journal of Association Leadership, which won SNAP’s 2007 EXCEL EXTRA award, as well as their silver award for general excellence and design excellence in 2009.
“I remember as a child loving to climb trees. Each one was a unique puzzle that I wanted to solve to get to the highest point I could reach, or find a place where I could anchor myself and take in the world from a different vantage point. Now working at American Forests I am learning more about trees and forests and how each forest ecosystem is a unique puzzle that can be dramatically affected by fire, insects, disease, and other factors. And I can help advocate for solutions to keep these unique ecosystems healthy to ensure there are more trees available for future generations of climbers.”
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Gregory Meyer
As Vice President of Development, Meyer oversees all activities of the department’s staff, including development of strategic plans, fundraising, budgets, work plans, planning and implementation of projects and activities, and the hiring and supervision of staff and interns.
He began his career at American Forests in 2002 as an intern in the Marketing & Development Department. In 2003 he was promoted to Corporate Development Officer, and in 2004 to Director of Corporate Relations. He was appointed Vice President in October 2007.
Prior to joining American Forests, Meyer spent four years working in equity research covering the internet sector at Montgomery Securities in San Francisco.
Meyer received his Bachelor’s Degree in economics from Colgate University. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, who is a partner at GKG Law, P.C., and their two children.
“I have always had a passion and respect for our natural world from surfing and fly fishing, to hiking and skiing. And now it’s a joy watching my kids explore and discover the outdoors while developing their own appreciation for the environment. I feel fortunate to play a role in protecting our forests and, ultimately, our environment.”
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As Vice President of Communications and Marketing at American Forests, Lea directs communications strategies and campaigns, and marketing and branding for the organization. She ensures that the organization’s public face reflects the organization’s mission, and positions American Forests as a distinctive leader within the environmental movement. Lea also manages traditional and new media relations, and supports the development team to ensure that all fundraising and marketing vehicles reflect the strengths and values of American Forests. She joined American Forests in April 2011.
From 2002 until 2010, Lea was Vice President of Communications at PBS. She led PBS’ broad communications campaigns, promoting its prime-time and children’s programs, web content, educational resources, development efforts, and corporate leadership – targeting the national media, the United States Congress, advocacy groups, member stations, and television viewers.
Previously, Lea was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Paxson Communications’ PAX TV, where she was part of the small team that launched the network in 1998.
Prior to that, Lea served as executive vice president/partner at Gordon Sloan Diaz-Balart, a Miami-based public relations firm, a senior vice president/managing director at Bender, Goldman & Helper, and a columnist at the Boston Globe.
Lea lives in Washington DC, with her husband.
“From the time that I was about 7 years old, and fortunate to have a pony, live in the country, and ride by myself into the woods, I have been awed by the majesty of big, old trees, and gained a reverence for forests and a great respect for the role they play in sustaining the health of the planet.”
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Rebecca Walker is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for American Forests. She oversees accounting, finance, human resources, and office administration. Drawn to work in the nonprofit arena for organizations that make a positive impact on the world, Walker utilizes her expertise in not-for-profit accounting, finance, and administration to help achieve corporate and social responsibility goals. Setting a standard for operational excellence, her work helps provide a solid core upon which to build the brand, connect with supporters, and grow programs that deliver on the mission. Since moving to Washington, DC, in 1999, Walker has served as a controller or Chief Financial Officer for a number of nonprofit organizations such as Reading is Fundamental, United Way of the National Capital Area, The Textile Museum, and the Summit Foundation.
Walker is a certified public accountant with a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and their daughter.
“Trees inspire me with their strength and patience.”