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In a traditionally male-dominated industry, SavATree takes pride in distinguishing itself through its unwavering commitment to diversity, particularly by championing the development of women leaders and talented female arborists. The company has made a conscious effort to invest in programs that champion female arborists, technicians and market leaders at every stage of their careers – from entry-level mentorship to executive leadership.

A SavATree lawn-care specialist evaluates the health of the grass on a client’s property. All photos courtesy of SavATree.

SavATree’s culture promotes growth and inclusivity, creating an environment where women can build meaningful careers and drive workforce development in the tree care industry, according to two company leaders spoken with for this article. Director of Learning and Development Sarah Cusack and Chief People Officer Amanda Davis explain how the company empowers women’s groups, promotes mentorship and fosters collaborative partnerships with organizations like TCIA.

Trailblazing women in tree care

Sarah Cusack and Amanda Davis each took a unique path into the world of tree care. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cusack majored in environmental management.

She recalls, “I worked with every department in the company, which was invaluable for exploring different career paths. That’s how I discovered my passion for training and development. Seeing people master new skills and feeling proud of their progress was incredibly rewarding – I knew I’d found my calling. Being in tree care and protecting the environment, combined with helping people grow in their careers, was the perfect marriage of my interests. “

Cusack holds certifications as a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD).

Davis, who joined SavATree in September 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, also has an impressive career trajectory. “My path to the green industry may be unconventional, but it’s been a rewarding journey,” she says. “For the past 20 years, my career has been centered on leading strategic people initiatives. I’ve always been passionate about helping people in the moments that matter most, whether that’s starting a new career, learning new skills, or transitioning into retirement.”

Davis adds, “I believe that creating processes that support employees throughout their careers directly contributes to a stronger, more positive company culture. What drew me to SavATree was the company’s inspiring commitment of ‘Work Here. Thrive Here.’ As I learned more about the team here, I saw a chance to help drive a transformation, one that’s focused on delivering a best-in-class employee experience and setting SavATree apart as a leader in workforce development. This is an exciting time for the company, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

A woman arborist discusses the best treatment approach with a colleague.

The value of mentorship

Both Cusack and Davis have benefited from mentorship throughout their careers and are now committed to paying it forward. Cusack notes, “I’ve been involved in both informal and formal mentorship programs. I find that being mentored by another woman in tree care helps me see my potential and reinforces my ability to take on new challenges.”

Davis agrees, saying, “I love serving as a mentor at SavATree because I’m surrounded by a team that shares this same hunger for improvement and growth. As I look back on my career, I can attribute so much learning and progress to the feedback I got and the role models and mentors who invested in me. Now, at SavATree, I can give that back to the best and the brightest.”

Women’s affinity groups

SavATree’s Women’s Affinity Groups provide another critical avenue for supporting and empowering women. “These groups provide a sense of community,” says Cusack. “There are currently seven groups – all based on geography – with about 20 women in each group, and they meet monthly. My favorite thing is that these groups are comprised of women who work in various job functions, from climbers to sales arborists to leadership. It’s a safe space to share challenges and ideas.”

Davis emphasizes, “These groups serve as a space where women across different levels of SavATree can connect, share experiences and offer mentorship to each other. It’s all about ensuring women have a voice, a community and the resources to succeed and grow in their careers.”

As a member of SavATree’s executive team, Davis stresses the importance of integrating women’s perspectives into high-level decision-making. “It starts with creating a culture where all employees can share their feedback and engage in open, two-way conversations. It’s one where all team members are empowered to have an ownership mentality.”

A group of SavATree arborists collaborate on a tree care plan.

The importance of partnerships

SavATree actively partners with associations such as TCIA and other women-focused networks to strengthen its workforce-development efforts. “We know that building these partnerships and networks helps drive innovation, fosters better collaboration and ultimately helps us deliver exceptional client service,” says Davis. “Our partnership with TCIA is a great example. We gain access to a broader network of women-focused programs that are designed to break down barriers and create opportunities for women at all levels of the industry. And that helps us build a robust pipeline of talented women who can grow their careers and rise to leadership positions.”

One of Cusack’s career highlights was speaking at TCI EXPO ’24 with four of her female peers. “So many women came up afterward asking questions,” she says. “It has shown me first-hand the value of this partnership.”

Looking to the future

SavATree continually evaluates and refines its culture to ensure all employees – regardless of gender – feel seen, heard and valued, according to Davis. “While we’ve made great strides, we know that progress is ongoing,” she says, adding, “and we’ll continue to explore innovative new solutions and leverage our employee voices to make sure everyone has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Cusack agrees, emphasizing the importance of diversity in leadership. While women currently make up about 20% of SavATree’s workforce, she notes, “Our progress is gaining momentum, and we must continue to push forward. You can never let your foot off the gas.”

Reflecting on the company’s achievements, Cusack adds, “I’m so proud of the role we’ve played in advancing women in tree care. And I hope we can make a point of moving other underrepresented groups forward in tree care as well. I’m happy to field questions from anyone who wants to further the promotion of these underrepresented groups.” I’d welcome anyone interested in the cause to reach out to me on LinkedIn. (Add link https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cusack-cptd-8508758a/)

Patricia Chaudoin has been a freelance writer/editor for more than four decades, in areas as disparate as tree care, golf, weddings, luxury travel and international non-profit NGOs. She has been writing