Maisie Hughes ensures programmatic excellence of American Forests’ urban initiatives by ensuring strategic and operational responsibility for the four urban forestry verticals: Science & Innovation Lab, Catalyst initiative and Fund, Field Delivery and Careers and Opportunities.  She helps to Build, maintain, and support the urban forestry staff in positive relationships with partners, agencies, government leaders, and community stakeholders in effort to deliver Tree Equity to American cities. Prior to joining American Forests, Hughes launched a sustainability consulting firm and co-founded the Urban Studio, a nonprofit dedicated to equitable and sustainable urbanism. She previously led the design and advocacy team for Casey Trees, served as the landscape architect and environmental designer for Morgan State University and managed environmental programs for DC Parks and Recreation and the Greater Washington Urban League. Hughes brings decades of award-winning leadership to her projects and pays obsessive attention to the work to deliver high quality outcomes. As a 2018 Landscape Architecture Foundation Fellow for Innovation and Leadership, Hughes has used film to explore what landscapes need to be to feel welcoming for all people. Hughes holds an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown University, as well as a master’s in landscape architecture from Morgan State University and bachelor’s degree in Afro American studies from Howard University.