Her Story
About Kelsey
Kelsey Gruenwoldt is Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Seattle Tree Care, a family-owned company she and her husband built from the ground up beginning in 2007. Over nearly two decades, she has helped grow the company into a respected regional organization serving homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and institutions throughout the greater Seattle area.
With a background in environmental studies and credentials as an ISA Certified Arborist, Kelsey’s role has evolved alongside the business. Her work today is centered on organizational design, leadership development, financial strategy, technology, customer experience, and building the systems required for a founder-led company to thrive beyond its founders.
With an experienced leadership team now managing day-to-day operations, Kelsey is focused on Seattle Tree Care’s next stage while exploring broader questions around ownership, business resilience, and how to build enduring organizations. She is also a mother of three, and her experience building a company alongside raising a family has shaped how she thinks about leadership, opportunity, and creating businesses that support both people and long-term growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelsey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, strong ethics, and a genuine commitment to doing what is right for both people and the environment. I have always been motivated to keep learning, ask thoughtful questions, and approach challenges with an open mind. Just as importantly, I believe in treating people as whole individuals rather than focusing solely on what they contribute to the workplace. This people-centered approach, combined with integrity and environmental responsibility, has guided my decisions and shaped the way I lead.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to understand the numbers and let the data guide my decisions rather than reacting emotionally. Having a clear understanding of key metrics provides the insight needed to make thoughtful, informed choices and identify where the business can improve. I also believe in creating meaningful incentives that align employees’ goals with the company’s objectives, helping people stay motivated while contributing to sustainable growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I would give young women entering my industry is to build confidence through competence. Learn the numbers, understand how the business works, and develop a strong understanding of what drives results. Don’t be afraid to make decisions before you feel completely ready, because confidence often comes from taking action and learning along the way. Just as importantly, recognize when the next stage of growth requires you to stop proving that you can do everything yourself. Knowing when to delegate, trust others, and build a capable team is essential to becoming an effective leader and creating lasting success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field come with each stage of growth, as the needs and complexities of the business continue to evolve. On the arboriculture side, safety is always a major priority, which requires staying current on regulations and maintaining strong safety practices. It is also important to understand and comply with labor laws, tree-related regulations, and tax codes. Navigating these requirements while continuing to grow the business creates both challenges and opportunities to build stronger systems, processes, and leadership.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are developing people, curiosity, and ethics. I believe in helping others grow by recognizing their strengths, building their confidence, and creating opportunities for them to develop their capabilities. Curiosity keeps me learning, asking questions, and looking for better ways to approach challenges. Above all, ethics guide how I make decisions and how I treat the people and environment around me.
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