Patricia Gallagher

Patricia Gallagher is Professor Emerita of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Drexel University. She earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and geological sciences from Rutgers University, a master’s in civil engineering from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. Her research expertise centers on geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering and sustainability. 

At Drexel, Trish taught courses in civil and environmental engineering, geology, and sustainability.  Her course in sustainability, titled “Incorporating Sustainability Principles in Design” was inspired by her desire to teach design from a holistic, regenerative perspective that restores ecological balance and health in communities and ecosystems. The course explores how the concept of sustainability is fundamental to the planning, design, construction, operation, and renewal of resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

Trish believes we need to work in our own communities to restore functional ecosystems in urban and suburban areas. She began volunteering with the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission (STC) in 2019, became an acting commissioner in 2021 and was officially appointed to the STC in 2022. Currently, she co-chairs the STC. Trish is happiest in nature and spends her free time hiking and backpacking around the globe.

John Kennedy

Since 2011 John Kennedy has been volunteering with the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission (STC) as an appointed commissioner and currently serves as co-chair. He has been an active Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tender since 2008. 

John regularly takes on a leadership role in formulating and delivering STC programs.  His volunteer emphasis has been with park and public space tree planting with the Tree Vitalize - PHS Tree Tenders bare root tree program.  Leading community volunteers to plant over 300 trees in parks and other public spaces in Abington Township. 

John’s commitment to the treescapes around us has inspired him to educate others of the importance of trees in our environment. Conducting hands-on training through demonstration and coaching on how to plant, prune and care for trees.

While employed fulltime in the food service profession John returned to school in 2006 as a part-time student to study horticulture and in 2015 completed his degree at Temple University’s School of Environmental Design in Ambler, Pennsylvania.  He also holds a Certificate in Horticultural Therapy.  

Professional Background

John’s profession for over 30 years has been overseeing dining programs in premier Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and, as Senior Director of Dining Services, currently leads the dining program at Foulkeways in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania.  John leads a staff of dedicated culinary and service professionals serving over 900 meals daily in fine dining, retail, catering and health care settings to the residents and their guests, visitors and staff.   

Combining his expertise for high quality dining programs and his study of horticulture inspired him to make meaningful garden to dining connections with the residents he serves. Implementing in-facility greenhouse growing, culinary herb and vegetable gardens, beehives and memory gardens to provide culinary variety and unique and meaningful activities for residents while involving them in the shaping of the culinary palette of the community.

While at the Evergreens, a premier CCRC in Moorestown, NJ, he helped to re-establish this community’s resident gardens and greenhouse programs. Partnered with a local beekeeper to establish hives on site for honey production and initiated a culinary herb garden, both for use by the Evergreens chefs. 

Khomchalat THONGTING, Founder of Wongphai Co., LtdKhomchalat

Thongting (Kom) is a visionary entrepreneur hailing from a working-class background, who has dedicated 29 years to building a thriving computer and IT consulting business with a team of 45 professionals. With a passion for sustainability and a drive for global impact, Kom has expanded his horizons by delving into the bamboo industry, cultivating 95 acres of bamboo and intercrops while conducting valuable seminars and workshops for local communities. KOM’s recognized expertise includes International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and carbon management skills, making him a true leader in both business and environmental stewardship. He is the founder of the Wongphai Company, Limited.

Saranrat TANTHIPTHAM, Co-Founder of Wongphai Co., Ltd.Saranrat

Tanthiptham (Nui) is a versatile entrepreneur with a profound commitment to sustainability. Nui started her journey by excelling academically, graduating in Business Administration and Marketing from Bangkok University. Climbing the corporate ladder, she achieved remarkable success at Aderans. Later, she co-founded a thriving computer hardware venture, serving prestigious clients like universities and embassies. Her recent endeavors reflect her dedication to sustainability, including the founding of Wongphai Company, Limited, focused on eco-friendly initiatives and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles for sustainable income generation. Nui’s expertise is well-recognized through certifications like the IBI (International Biochar Institute), C-sink Manager, and Measuring Sustainable Development.

Ben Shardlow is the Board Chair for the Creative Enterprise Zone, a place-based non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

As an urban planner and designer focused on complex public spaces, Ben has worked on developing innovative programs to grow the urban tree canopy in challenging sites for over a decade. In the largely-industrial Creative Enterprise Zone, Ben launched the 100 Trees Initiative, a slow and steady approach to planting and caring for trees that seeks a sweet spot between the scale of operation – a small non-profit can manage and the long-term impact.

In Ben's day job is the Chief of Staff for the Minneapolis Downtown Council & Downtown Improvement District, where he has worked since 2012 addressing the root causes of a variety of public space challenges, including urban forestry.

Erica Kratofil is Co-Executive Director for The Giving Grove, where she helps lead a national network of urban community orchard and food forest programs. As a social worker, Erica is passionate about community vitality and the many ways that urban orchards benefit both people and the planet.

Erica is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a master’s in social work and nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked previously in education, food security initiatives, and community-based housing programs. She also served as a social work field instructor for the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Paul Hickman is the founder of Urban Ashes a pioneering company the advocates for urban wood utilization. The company transforms fallen urban trees into valuable local resources. Urban Ashes designs, develops, and implements urban wood utilization for infrastructure in collaboration with municipalities, local organizations and businesses to support the local community.

In addition to salvaging urban wood, Paul’s organization provides meaningful employment and business opportunities to formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted youth. This commitment resonates throughout the community, promoting safer and healthier neighborhoods through the People and Trees connection.

Paul is also one of the founding members of the national organization the Urban Wood Network.