In times like these, the people we surround ourselves with—and the communities we build—matter more than ever. That’s why we’re especially excited to share some wonderful news: two extraordinary leaders are joining the TREC team.
Please join us in welcoming aparna rajagopal and Kellie Richardson Colemon as TREC Senior Consultants.
aparna rajagopal will be joining our Capacity Building team at the end of August. aparna brings a uniquely powerful blend of experience as a conservation leader, entrepreneur, scientist, hydrologist, grassroots activist, and environmental lawyer. As a co-founder of the Avarna Group, aparna has led consulting efforts focused on strategy, DEI, programming, policy, and evaluation—specifically within the conservation sector.
At TREC, aparna will serve as a senior consultant, regional client contact, and OD generalist, providing responsive and relevant support across all of our core offerings. Her passion for systems thinking, strategy, equity and real-world impact will be a tremendous asset, as will the scientific and evaluative lens she brings to the work.
When not working with TREC clients, you can find her in the homelands of the Kalapuya people (Eugene, OR) grinding up Forest Service roads just to scream down single track trails, going up and down cliffs for fun, making whimsical drawings, and writing her forever-almost-finished book about finding belonging in a land that was never hers to begin with.
Kellie Richardson Colemon, one of the co-creators of TREC’s Leadership Program, has been with TREC in a variety of roles since 2018, and for many of you, needs no introduction! We are delighted to welcome her back in a staff capacity.
Kellie is a certified coach and facilitator whose leadership development and coaching work calls forward the potential in each person. Her philosophy is rooted in centering the fullness and the humanity of her clients. In addition to over 20 years in nonprofit leadership—including director and vice president roles at a national nonprofit—Kellie brings deep experience in capacity building, organizational development, and training.
Beyond her work with leaders, Kellie is a visual artist and poet who served as Poet Laureate of Tacoma, Washington, from 2017–2019.
We are honored and excited for the TREC community to benefit from the brilliance, creativity, and care that both aparna and Kellie bring to this work.
With wild wonder and appreciation,