Our Team
Patrick Carl Filbert, Founder & Principal Consultant
Patrick is a community development practitioner with nearly a decade of experience in urban planning, sustainability, public policy, and grassroots engagement. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware and a Master’s in Community and Economic Development from Penn State.
He has completed additional training through the University of Miami, Michigan State, HarvardX, Strong Towns Academy, and Morgan State. Patrick’s expertise centers on vacant land transformation and the creation of community-managed green spaces. He has advanced this work with organizations such as 1000 Friends of Oregon, Pigtown Main Street, NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, the Baltimore County Green Alliance, Baltimore Green Space, and the Butchers Hill Association. He also serves as Chair of the Butchers Hill Streetscape Committee.
Board of Advisors
Barbara Hopkins
Barbara is the Executive Director of Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange, an international nonprofit with the mission of activating local governments and water agencies in the US & Canada to equitably implement green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Barbara has 30 years of nonprofit experience and expertise in fundraising, board development, strategic planning, legislative relations, financial management, and marketing. Barbara previously served as Executive Director of NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, an environmental land trust.
Dave “Dr. Greenhand” Hester
Dave “Dr. Greenhand” Hester is a founding partner of Rid-All Green Partnership, the largest urban farm in the United States, spanning 25 acres in Cleveland. A Marine veteran, master gardener, and landscape specialist, he is known for his passion for healthy soil and educating youth as stewards of the Earth, bringing decades of experience in urban agriculture and community food systems.
Dr. Michael W-P Fortunato
Dr. Michael W-P Fortunato is an Indiana-based, internationally published scholar, researcher, and community & economic development practitioner that specializes in rural and small urban development strategy. He holds a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology and an M.S. in Community and Economic Development, both from Pennsylvania State University. In addition, Fortunato is an active community-based entrepreneur, local investor, and member of the arts community as a touring musician.
Shawn Gunaratne
Shawn is currently serving as a community and economic development consultant for the City of Chester, PA. He previously served as Senior Director of Business Development at the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) and as Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Bon Secours Community Works. Shawn brings a variety of expertise in economic development, community partnerships, strategic planning, and environmental health initiatives.
