Samira Malone
Director, Cleveland Tree Coalition
Samira Malone is the Executive Director of The Cleveland Tree Coalition, a collaborative of public, private, and community stakeholders partnered with the City of Cleveland to create a healthy, vibrant, sustainable, and equitable urban forest. Samira works to raise awareness of the critical need for a robust tree canopy in Cleveland and to generate financial support for the work of the Coalition. Her urban planner and environmental leader practice is rooted in racial and environmental restorative justice and holistic community development. Samira has her Master’s degree in urban planning and development and her Bachelor’s in urban and regional planning from Cleveland State University. She is also a proud graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
In addition to her role as Executive Director, she serves as the elected chairwoman for the City of Cleveland Urban Forestry Commission (UFC). The purpose of UFC is to advise the Mayor and City Council on policies and regulations that will increase our neighborhoods’ tree canopy and vibrancy. Under this scope, the UFC provides advice and strategic planning on how the City can implement best practices to maintain and grow Cleveland’s tree canopy. In addition, the UFC’s work involves providing recommendations on policy and plans, monitoring the implementation of City plans, soliciting grants or funding contributions, and much more. Samira takes pride in being a lifelong Cleveland resident and is active in numerous community organizations. She loves traveling, spending time in the Cleveland Metro Parks, exercising, and visiting with family and friends when she has free time.