Michelle Beisker named new Trees Forever CEO

Will assume new role at end of April

Michelle Beisker
Michelle Beisker has been named the new CEO of Trees Forever, effective April 29. CREDIT TREES FOREVER

Trees Forever has announced the appointment of Michelle Beisker as Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search.

Ms. Beisker succeeds interim CEO Debra Powers, who will remain with Trees Forever to help with the transition.

According to a Trees Forever release, Ms. Beisker brings extensive not-for-profit and for-profit experience to the role, most recently serving as senior vice president of development at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. She also served as chief operating pfficer at Waypoint Services in Cedar Rapids, program director at Four Oaks in Cedar Rapids, assistant vice president at Mount Mercy University, and global sales manager at PMX Industries.

Trees Forever officials said Ms. Beisker’s strong background as a proven leader with expertise in development, community advocacy, strategic planning and communications made her an ideal fit for the role.

“The work of Trees Forever aligns with my passion,” Ms. Beisker said. “I have been and continue to be dedicated to the betterment of our communities. I am so pleased to join this work that ensures access to nature in every neighborhood.”

“Michelle is an experienced leader who understands how to pull together diverse stakeholders to accomplish important things,” said Lynn Manternach, chair of the Trees Forever board of directors. “Michelle is strategic, well-networked, people-focused and results oriented. We are excited to work with her to grow the impact of Trees Forever.”

“We are so fortunate to have someone with Michelle’s experience to lead Trees Forever during this critical and challenging time,” said Trees Forever founder Shannon Ramsay.

Ms. Beisker will begin her role as Trees Forever CEO April 29.

“Future generations will benefit from our current efforts to address climate change through planting trees,” Ms. Beisker said. “We have a lot to do, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Trees Forever is a nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Marion, with a mission to plant and care for trees and the environment by empowering people, building community, and promoting stewardship. Its staffers have assisted community leaders and landowners across Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and beyond with thousands of planting projects. Each year, on average, Trees Forever works with and engages more than 7,000 volunteers who give generously of their time and talent, helping to plant more than 3 million trees to date.

Recently, the organization announced its “Grow the Love” fundraising campaign, the public-facing capital campaign phase of the ReLeaf campaign focused on helping the Cedar Rapids area replace the trees lost in Iowa’s devastating August 2020 derecho.