Gabriella Paez
Board Member
Gabriella Paez is a community organizer and activist who has dedicated her professional life to encouraging individuals in underserved communities to be changemakers. Gabriella, originally from the Dominican Republic, has called Philadelphia her home for the last 15 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Eastern University and a master's in non-profit leadership from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. Gabriella served as the Education and Community Development Coordinator at Esperanza, a local non-profit, for six years. In her role at Esperanza, she developed and led programs aimed at the revitalization of Hunting Park in North Philadelphia, with a special focus on protecting and enhancing open spaces and the environment.
Gabriella's work has been recognized with multiple awards including Activist of the Year by SustainPHL, the Rising Star Award by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Tree of Fame by TreePhilly, and the Award of Merit by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. She currently serves as a member of the PHS Tree Tenders Advisory and Strategic Oversight Committees and is part of the Community Voices Committee helping draft the Philly Tree Plan, a ten-year plan for the growth and care of Philadelphia's urban forest.