SMA Welcomes Its New Executive Director!
The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) Board enthusiastically announces Leslie Berckes as its new Executive Director. A born-and-raised Midwesterner, Leslie lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, Jeff. She brings over a decade of experience in urban forestry to the organization, most recently serving as the Executive Vice President and Des Moines Program Director for Trees Forever, a Midwest-based non-profit focused on accelerating tree plantings through volunteer engagement. Leslie is an ISA Certified Arborist and has extensive experience teaching people the benefits and care of trees.
Leslie holds a master’s degree in Environmental Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa in addition to a BA in Marketing. In January this year, the Des Moines Business Record named Leslie a member of the 2022 Class of “Forty Under 40” for her career achievements including rapidly expanding the City of Des Moines’ commitment to tree planting in addition to myriad volunteer and community betterment activities.
Among her many career accomplishments, Leslie developed and implemented the Trees Forever Growing Futures program that plants trees and employs Des Moines teens, in addition to providing the crew with professional development opportunities. In Leslie, the SMA Board found a highly qualified and uniquely suited candidate to move the organization forward with the full backing of the SMA leadership. The November/December issue of City Trees, the magazine produced by the SMA and freely available to all, will feature an in-depth profile of Leslie and her vision for the future.
Please join us in welcoming Leslie to SMA!
SMA's 58th Annual International Urban Forestry Conference and Tradeshow
Seattle, WA • November 14-15
Registration is now open!
