Spearhead Project Earth is a Yardley-based nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental restoration, education, and community engagement. At the heart of our mission is a powerful combination of shoreline clean-up efforts and experiential learning. We believe that actively participating in the removal of litter from natural spaces, such as the Delaware River, is one of the most impactful ways to raise awareness about the environmental consequences of our reliance on and misuse of plastics.

OUR WORK IS ROOTED IN THREE CORE PILLARS:

PRESERVE

Our mission is to safeguard the natural beauty and ecological health of places like the Delaware River, the Morrisville Preserve, and the Yardley Riverside Garden. We aim to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations by removing harmful waste, preventing further degradation, and advocating for long-term sustainability.

GIVE BACK

We strive to empower individuals and communities to take an active role in restoring and protecting their environment. Through hands-on clean-up events and community-driven projects, we foster a shared sense of stewardship and purpose.

EDUCATE

Awareness is the first step toward lasting change. We offer immersive, place-based educational experiences that teach the importance of environmental preservation, the dangers of single-use plastics, and the power of individual and collective action.

Together, we are working to restore the integrity and beauty of green spaces and waterways, not only for those who enjoy them today, but for the many generations to come.

Board of Trustees

Founder & Executive Chair, Robert Catalano - In 2025, Robert Catalano, our founder, officially moved from the role of President into Founder & Executive Chair. In this position, Robert focuses on the visionary and strategic direction of SPE, continuing to build partnerships and lead innovation as we expand our environmental initiative.

President & Executive Director, David Appelbaum - In 2025, David Appelbaum was elected as our new President & Executive Director. David has been serving in this capacity behind the scenes for some time now, bringing structure, energy, and heart to everything from volunteer coordination to long-term planning.

In addition to his work with SPE, David is a Yardley Borough Councilman, a long-time community advocate, and an experienced nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to environmental impact and public service. His dedication to local engagement and sustainability is exactly what our organization needs as we take the next step forward.

Treasurer/Secretary, Heather Fritzsche - Heather Fritzsche, a founding Board of Trustees member of Spearhead Project Earth, is now serving in a more focused capacity as our Lead for Annual Corporate Giving & Fundraising.

Heather has been with SPE since day one, offering not only leadership but also the foundational support that helped launch our mission. As Co-Founder & CEO of Spearhead Global, Heather, along with her business partner and husband, Robert Catalano, Founder and Executive Chair of SPE, helped create and sponsor this nonprofit as a natural extension of their shared commitment to sustainability, particularly in the packaging space.

While Spearhead Global continues to serve as SPE’s primary financial sponsor, Heather’s expanded role on the board allows her to focus more directly on building relationships, securing annual support, and guiding our fundraising efforts with the same strategic insight she’s known for.

We’re so fortunate to continue benefiting from both her financial support and her depth of experience as we grow SPE’s impact in 2025 and beyond.

Stay tuned as we continue to introduce the rest of our 2025 Board of Trustees!

Organizational Engagement Lead, Steve Brown - This role leads community and partnership development by building relationships with local organizations, schools, nonprofits, and service groups that align with SPE’s mission. It supports and coordinates with core volunteers to unify outreach efforts, ensures that promotional materials reflect the current messaging in collaboration with the Marketing Lead, and integrates partners into SPE programs, such as cleanups and educational initiatives. The role requires regular communication with the President, participation in board meetings as needed, and approval of all new partnerships by executive leadership.

We’re proud to highlight Steve Brown, a founding Board of Trustees member of Spearhead Project Earth, who now serves in the focused role of Organizational Engagement Lead.

From the very beginning, Steve has brought a collaborative spirit and a deep dedication to environmental stewardship. His strength lies in building connections—with local nonprofits, civic organizations, youth programs, and other mission-aligned groups—creating opportunities for shared action and long-term partnerships.

In this new role, Steve will continue to lead efforts to engage with other organizations and find creative ways to collaborate, supported by the full reach of our team’s contact networks and outreach capabilities. His work ensures SPE stays rooted in the community and open to meaningful partnerships that make a real impact.

Research & Environmental Impact Lead, Raul Zabala - This role serves as SPE’s lead environmental advisor for U.S.-based programs, ensuring that cleanup activities and sustainability efforts are grounded in sound science and current best practices. It works closely with the Global Insights Advisor to align local initiatives with global messaging, maintaining consistency and credibility across the organization. The role supports the development of impact metrics and data collection tools, reviews programs for scientific accuracy, and advises the board on strengthening sustainability strategies. Regular communication with leadership and collaboration with other trustees helps ensure informed, unified, and ecologically responsible decision-making.

Raul is an interdisciplinary field biologist with deep experience in conservation, environmental data analysis, and on-the-ground research, on both land and sea, from the tropics to the high latitudes. With a strong background in species monitoring, grant writing, and field logistics, he brings a thoughtful and evidence-based perspective to our board.

As someone who has conducted impactful research on seabird and cetacean populations and developed full-scale field projects from scratch, Raul knows firsthand the importance of turning scientific insight into real-world conservation outcomes. He is fluent in both English and Spanish, and brings a global mindset along with a collaborative spirit.

We’re proud to have Raul helping guide our environmental strategy, and we look forward to the expertise he’ll contribute as we expand our programs and deepen our impact in 2025.

Global Insights Advisor, Patricia Burguete - Provides strategic guidance on SPE’s international growth, starting with Mexico, India, and Italy, and expanding to other board-identified regions. Supports the development of globally relevant programs and helps position SPE effectively in international contexts. Shares insights on global sustainability trends, policy developments, and best practices. Ensures the integrity and accuracy of SPE’s environmental messaging, while contributing culturally informed perspectives to enhance sustainability awareness and engagement.

Patricia played a critical role in the early development of SPE, working closely with our founder, Robert Catalano, to help identify and shape our flagship site at Burlington Island, NJ. From scoping the location to helping structure the original beta trial outings nearly three years ago, her insight and support were foundational in getting SPE off the ground. Without her, the concept of SPE as it exists today would not have been possible.

Patricia is based in Mexico City, where she also serves as Chief Sustainability Officer for Spearhead Global. She brings a creative, systems-driven approach to solving environmental challenges, especially in the packaging and materials space.

In her new role at SPE, Patricia will help guide our global expansion efforts. beginning with a pilot education partnership in India, where a local school will collaborate with SPE to teach environmental awareness and stewardship. She will also advise on global sustainability trends, best practices, and the integrity of environmental claims, ensuring that our programs grow with both purpose and accountability.

Her vision, creativity, and deep commitment to sustainability continue to be a vital part of SPE’s future.

Openings on the Board of Trustees - Marketing & Communications, Treasurer & Secretary