Meet Our Team

Elizabeth Woodworth
Founder

Elizabeth Woodworth founded Wood & Co. Consulting in 2017 after more than 20 years working in marketing and communications. She has held leadership positions in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Elizabeth has a fundamental belief that efforts to improve our planet’s health are most successful when the interests of conservation and the public and private sectors intersect. She also believes an organization’s commitment to sustainability is realized only if it can effectively communicate that commitment. Elizabeth received a BA in international studies and French from the University of Richmond, an MBA from the Wharton School, and an MA in international studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Wood & Co. Team

Tara Ellinger

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Tara excels at simplifying and conveying complex data and ideas to engage target audiences. Her creative thinking and natural curiosity make her a valuable contributor to teams focused on problem-solving and innovation. Tara has more than a decade of experience as a teacher and holds a permanent educator’s certificate in English Language Arts. She earned a BA in organizational communications from Western Michigan University.

Tara Ellinger

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Bio

Laura Heishman 

Marketing Project Coordinator

Laura is passionate about creating and facilitating comprehensive marketing plans and projects for sustainability organizations. No matter the task at hand, Laura always focuses on keeping projects organized and on time. Before joining Wood & Co., she worked in the health and nutrition sector, and she also owned her own digital marketing company. Laura earned a BA from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and is now working towards her Certified Associate of Project Management designation.

Laura Heishman

Marketing Project Coordinator

Bio

Carly Sullivan
Director of Strategic Events & Projects

Carly has over a decade of experience in project management, event planning, and client relations. She has coordinated and implemented large- and small-scale projects for both corporate clients and non-profit organizations. Carly graduated magna cum laude with a BSc in hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business.

Carly Sullivan

Director of Strategic Events & Projects

Bio

Nissa Weisser
Director of Digital Media & Projects

Nissa makes sure all projects are scheduled and executed on time to ensure client satisfaction. She has held positions as director of operations for a boutique PR firm as well as executive roles in advertising and public relations. In 2009, she founded WriteHandGal where she specialized in copywriting, marketing consultation, and business development for start-ups and small businesses. She holds a BA from the University of Vermont, where she won the Marion Berry Allbee Award for Creative Non-fiction.

Nissa Weisser

Director of Digital Media & Projects

Bio

Associates

Matthew Bonsall
Writer, Editor, and Researcher

Matt is an accomplished writer with a reputation for delivering first-rate results under tight deadlines. He also draws on a wealth of marketing experience. Matt founded Bonsall Communications in 1998 after returning from the UK, where he worked as a bond market reporter for Reuters. His byline has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper. He has a Master of Journalism from Carleton University and a BA in African Studies from the University of Toronto. He holds a Canadian securities license and a Chartered Investment Manager designation.

Matthew Bonsall

Writer, Editor, and Researcher

Bio

Kathryn (Katie) Fernholz
Forestry and Conservation Advisor

Katie’s technical forestry expertise allows her to translate complex, detailed topics into easy-to-understand language. She is President and Chief Executive Officer at Dovetail Partners Inc., a science-based environment think-tank addressing land use and sustainability concerns. Katie sits on numerous boards and committees, and she is a past Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American Forest Foundation. She holds a BSc in forest resources from the University of Minnesota, College of Natural Resources.

Kathryn (Katie) Fernholz

Forestry and Conservation Advisor

Bio

Martin C. Fredricks IV
Writer

Martin is an advertising, marketing, and public relations copywriter, content creator, and strategic planner, as well as a blogger and founder of a non-profit dedicated to engaging more people in climate-change activism. Over a more than 30-year career, he’s been the editor of a weekly rural newspaper, a public information specialist for a member of Congress, an agency copywriter and vice president, and a freelancer. His stories and commentary have appeared in numerous local, regional, and national publications. Martin has a BA in English with a minor in journalism from North Dakota State University.

Martin C. Fredricks IV

Writer

Bio

Alex Fulton
Graphic Designer

With over 10 years of experience, Alex lends her creative expertise to brand and design work for our clients’ corporate communications. Always eager to learn and grow, Alex is passionate about everything from books to brands, illustrations to interiors, and posters to printing. She loves using many combined techniques to create her work, such as drawing, collaging, painting, and digital manipulation. Alex holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Alex Fulton

Graphic Designer

Bio

Ellen E. Hoffmeister
Writer and Researcher

For more than 25 years, Ellen has worked as an independent writer, researcher, and editorial consultant promoting environmental and economic sustainability, and responsible transportation and infrastructure development. She has worked with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and the Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation, Aging, and Economic and Community Development. Ellen holds a BA in English, with concentrations in literature and communications, from Thiel College.

Ellen E. Hoffmeister

Writer and Researcher

Bio

Dean Johnson
Graphic Designer

Dean brings over a decade of experience to our branding and design initiatives. Eager to tackle design challenges, Dean is passionate about crafting compelling visuals that resonate with audiences. From developing brand concepts to laying out corporate reports, Dean’s innovative approach is fueled by his diverse industry experience. Prior to joining Wood & Co., Dean worked as a designer for a leading sustainable wood pellet producer and the United States Senate. He holds a BA in mass communications and media studies from Lynchburg College and a certificate in graphic design from the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University.

Dean Johnson

Graphic Designer

Bio

Tzaitel “TZ” Torres
Digital Media and Public Relations Specialist

TZ supports clients in the areas of strategic communications, public relations, campaigns, and stakeholder education. She focuses on elevating and creating a positive public narrative by using her skills in PR research, media outreach, project management, social media, and graphic design. TZ recently earned her MA in public relations and advertising from the University of Southern California.

Tzaitel “TZ” Torres

Digital Media and Public Relations Specialist

Bio

Heidi Van Voorhis
Writer, Editor, and Researcher

Heidi provides content creation and research expertise, drawing from her background as a marketing and communications leader with over 25 years of experience working with global brands. Storytelling is Heidi’s passion. Her forte is distilling information down to a powerful and relatable message. Most recently, she worked with the Forest Landowners Association, where she was the director of communications. Heidi earned her BA in business administration from the College of William and Mary.

Heidi Van Voorhis