About Tamar

I am an artist who applies creative thinking and big picture perspective to everything I do (except taxes). Having spent 25 years as an award-winning environmental educator, I’ve developed my own brand of insight and skill that enables me to craft compelling outreach programs, messaging and presentations. I am fiercely committed to creating interesting content with a fresh approach, and believe that coloring outside the lines is often mandatory.
I have presented internationally to more than 350,000 people during my career, and I understand the power of being able to raptly hold an audience’s attention while inspiring them to take action. I love public speaking and have successfully helped others improve their public speaking and presentation skills, transforming them into confident experts their audiences want to listen to.
I have sat on boards, traveled with mayoral delegations, chaired committees, mentored other professionals, and consulted with various municipalities who sought my advice on environmental education programs. Through it all, I have learned that the biggest growth area for anyone who does outreach is to distill their messaging down to what is essential in order to create efficient and compelling communication.

Employment

Co-Founder / Principal (2019-Present)
Fleur Creative Strategy & Communications, San Francisco, Ca.
Clients: Green Schoolyards America, Town of Mamaroneck, New York

Environmental Education Manager (2003-2019)
San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment), San Francisco, Ca.
City agency that provides solutions that advance climate protection and enhance quality of life for all San Franciscans.

Environmental Outreach Director (1993-94 + 1997-2001)
Rainforest Action Network, Santa Monica, Ca. + San Francisco, Ca.
Non-profit organization that preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns.

Southern California Director (1994-1997)
Rainforest Action Network, Santa Monica, Ca.
Non-profit organization that preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns.

Boards & Committees

Board of Directors (2009-2019)
San Francisco – Bangalore Sister City Initiative, San Francisco, Ca.
Engages individuals and institutions in Bangalore, India and San Francisco in creating sustainable 21st century cities through an exchange of environmental, economic, cultural and research ideas, expertise and resources.

Board Member (2006-2015)
Recology’s Artist in Residence Program, San Francisco, Ca.
Unique art and education program that provides Bay Area artists with access to discarded materials, a stipend, and a large studio space at the Recology San Francisco Recycling and Transfer Station.

Chair (2004-2007)
San Francisco Dog Advisory Committee, San Francisco, Ca.
Committee that advised the San Francisco Parks & Recreation Department on a variety of dog policies.

Creative Highlights

Creative Director & Writer, Love Your Food
New York community based campaign to reduce wasted food. (LoveYourFoodNY.org)

Writer & Producer, Forest Family Forever!
Award-winning children’s video for Rainforest Action Network.

Designer & Writer, Our Water
A curriculum unit for Grades 4-6 for San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFWater.org)

Creator, Phoebe the Phoenix
Beloved SF Environment kids’ mascot that teaches about zero waste in San Francisco K-5 schools.

Designer & Writer, Food to Flowers! School Composting & Recycling Program
Award-winning, comprehensive, SF Environment outreach program including class presentations, school-wide assemblies, curriculum, and promotional materials for San Francisco K-12 schools.

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz, Bachelor of Arts in Art
École des Beaux Arts, Université de Poitiers, France

Awards

  • Environmental Service Award (San Francisco Commission on the Environment)
  • Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award (California EPA)
  • Zero Waste Achievement Award (California Resource Recovery Association)
  • Platinum Special Jury Award (WorldFest Houston)
  • Gold Eagle Award (Cine)
  • Gold Award (Catalyst)
  • Gold Medal Award – Environment & Ecology (Cindy)
  • Festival Message Award (Japanese Wildlife Film Festival)

Tamar helped me shift from text-heavy, boring slides to images that capture the attention of the audience and convey a single message. The new slides not only look beautiful, but make it much easier to present the material.

Sraddha Mehta Senior Environmental Justice Coordinator, City & County of San Francisco

I absolutely dreaded giving presentations, but since working with Tamar, I have given dozens of presentations and been on multiple panels, and now have confidence in my ability to not only make my presentation enjoyable for my audience, but also enjoyable for me. That last part is something I never thought would happen!

Zac Thompson Zero Emission Vehicle Analyst, City & County of San Francisco

The first time I saw Tamar in action was when my team was learning more about effective communication. I was stunned by how refreshing her presentation had been: simple, direct, and engaging.

Nancy Hernandez Transportation Associate, City & County of San Francisco