Ramón Méndez Galain is former Energy Secretary of Uruguay. He successfully led the recognised transformation of the Uruguayan energy sector to include 98% renewables in the energy mix. Ramon is also founder and Executive Director of Ivy, an organisation working to accelerate the energy transition in Latin America. Galain is also the founder and Executive Director of Asociación Ivy, an organisation dedicated to sharing lessons from Uruguay’s energy transition and inspiring change in other countries. Galain also served as Chairman of the Council of IRENA, Chief Negotiator for Uruguay in the Paris Agreement and member of the board of the Green Climate Fund.
Heather Reams is a highly respected non-profit executive and a nationally recognized conservative leader of clean energy and climate advocacy. She currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) and CRES Forum, leading nonprofit organizations based in Washington, DC, dedicated to conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. She joined CRES and CRES Forum in 2016.
Under Ms. Reams’ visionary leadership, drawing from three decades of experience advancing mission-driven initiatives and shaping public discourse, CRES has helped shift the narrative around clean energy, influencing legislative outcomes in support of carbon reduction strategies, advanced energy technologies, and economic opportunity.
One major part of her work includes being the architect of center-right clean energy engagement and education. Among her most notable achievements are the founding of National Clean Energy Week, an annual convening of industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders recognizing the benefits and contributions of clean energy, as well as the founding of the Conservative Climate Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates members of Congress, their staff and the public about clean energy and climate policy from a conservative angle. Reams also launched the CRES Clean Energy Champions program, which recognizes influential voices in advancing clean energy policy, and established CRES Academy, educational programming exclusively for Capitol Hill staff and emerging leaders. She is a Western Caucus Foundation advisory board member and serves on the board of directors for the American Conservative Coalition Action. Additionally, she is a member of the National Academies Forum on Energy Systems Transformation and Decarbonization.
A frequent commentator on the politics and policy of clean energy and the environment, Ms. Reams has been featured on NPR, Newsmax TV, FOX News, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, the Washington Examiner, Politico, Newsweek, Time, Roll Call, The Hill, Morning Consult and The Atlantic, among others. She is also a regular contributor to Real Clear Energy.
Ms. Reams began her career as a staffer in the offices of U.S. Senator Bob Smith (R-N.H.) and U.S. Congressman Gerald Weller (R-Ill.), and earlier as an intern for U.S. Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) while pursuing her degree. Since then, she has held a number of senior nonprofit positions and spent a decade at several top D.C.-based public affairs firms.
A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Political Science, Ms. Reams resides in her home state of Virginia, with her husband, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and their two children. In her limited spare time, Ms. Reams enjoys cooking, traveling and volunteering for veterans’ causes.
Michael Thomas is the founder and CEO of Cleanview and the author of the Distilled newsletter. His work on clean energy has been read by more than 50 million people and cited in publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker.
Max works to ensure Utah leverages federal funding opportunities for clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle development. Through his role at Utah Clean Energy, he develops partnerships with local governments, businesses and other stakeholders to find avenues of collaboration in the expansion of clean energy across the West. Max Joined Utah Clean Energy from the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, where he specialized in tax policy, economic development, and affordable housing research. Max also served as the policy director for Chris Peterson’s 2020 Utah gubernatorial campaign. Max holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Utah.
Ashley Brasovan is a seasoned Decarbonization Project Manager based in Golden, Colorado. She has worked on over $150M of decarbonization projects with local governments at McKinstry for over the past decade. Ashley specializes in shaping and delivering sustainability, decarbonization, and high-impact energy performance projects, including work for major clients like Denver International Airport, City and County of Denver, Town of Vail and many others. In her free time, she runs professionally on the trails for Hoka and enjoys spending time with her pug, husband, and 1yr baby girl.
Kevin Frey is the City’s Facilities Superintendent. He oversees municipal facilities daily operations, capital projects and brings technical expertise in building systems and infrastructure, ensuring that decarbonization strategies are practical, efficient, and achievable.
Colin is the co-founder and CEO of Placemate, which helps local employees secure housing in tourism-based communities through innovative public–private partnerships. He was an early employee at both Lyft and Airbnb, where he helped pioneer the sharing economy and scale new marketplace models. In 2018, Colin launched Placemate in Truckee, CA to create the “Airbnb for locals’ housing,” blending a mission-driven model with his first-hand experience in technology and growth.
Emma Gerona serves as the Executive Director of EcoAction Partners, a regional sustainability nonprofit based in Southwest Colorado. She leads collaborative efforts with local governments, schools, and community partners to advance equitable climate action, and greenhouse gas reduction efforts across the region. With a background in nonprofit leadership and community engagement, Emma is dedicated to building practical, place-based solutions that connect climate action with the values and needs of rural communities. She is passionate about empowering individuals to take meaningful action toward a more resilient, sustainable future.
Hilary Hobbs is the Director of Neighborhood Services and Sustainability for the Town of Truckee, CA, where she oversees Truckee’s Housing, Sustainability, Short-term Rental, Economic Vitality, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Smith College and a Masters of Business Administration from University of California, Davis. With over 20 years of public sector experience at the local and federal levels, Hilary has a passion for building partnerships, leading interdisciplinary projects, and developing new programs. She is particularly proud of Truckee’s success at developing innovative workforce housing programs, which have made a significant impact on community-wide housing availability, employee retention, and GHG reduction.
Hilary Lewkowitz is the Director of Destination Development & Sustainability at the Colorado
Tourism Office, where she has worked since 2017. Her career has been dedicated to
sustainable tourism since 2011, following more than a decade of experience in conservation
biology and outdoor education. She also shares her expertise as an adjunct instructor at New
York University, teaching courses on sustainable tourism.
Hilary holds an M.S. in Sustainable Tourism Management from the University of Utah and a
B.S. in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University. She is an avid climber, trail
runner, and backcountry skier, and lives in Ridgway, Colorado.
Charlotte Lin is the Sustainability Manager with the Town of Avon, Colorado. With a background in climate ecology, international communications, and educational technology, she is a second-year Doctorate of Business Administration student at the University of Michigan, focusing on machine learning applications in climate finance. Charlotte also serves on the Board of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America and enjoys spending time in the great Colorado outdoors.
Molly’s experience spans the intersection of land use planning and sustainability, working across Colorado and beyond. At Lotus Engineering & Sustainability, she has helped clients develop roadmaps to guide them towards their sustainability and climate action goals, fostering strong community collaboration in the process.
Taylor McCauley is a Project Manager with the City of Louisville with a background in environmental engineering. She leads overall implementation of the Internal Decarbonization Plan, which includes management of project funding, cross-departmental coordination, and progress tracking/planning.
Christopher Caskey is a scientist and entrepreneur who is passionate about climate, energy, conservation, and economic development. He founded Delta Brick & Climate Company in 2018. Previous positions include research assistant professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, materials science consultant, and mountaineering guide. He is a board member of the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority and previous board chair of the Western Slope Conservation Center.
Cameron Millard joined the Town of Vail in 2021 as a Clean Energy Specialist. Previously, he worked with Efficiency Insights, LLC, and co-founded the Cloud City Conservation Center in Leadville. In his current role, he implements energy efficiency initiatives tied to the town’s Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan, including managing energy systems, facilitating the Town’s energy district development efforts, coordinating renewable energy efforts, advancing policy like building code upgrades, and supporting public works in electrification efforts. He has over 10 years of experience in the field, has built his own net-zero home, and enjoys cycling, skiing, and trail building.
Hannah Miller is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Louisville. She leads the City’s sustainability initiatives and oversees the strategy and development of multiple programs, projects and plans. Her expertise supports both the design and implementation of the City’s Internal Decarbonization Plan.
Julia Masters is the Program Manager for the Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) Grant Program through the Colorado Resiliency Office. This program grants to rural communities across the State to support local energy resilience, as well as supports localities in advancing critical infrastructure prioritization. Julia holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy from Tufts.
Victoria Schlaepfer is a sustainability strategist who specializes in building actionable climate and operations plans that drive measurable results. At Deer Valley, she led the creation of the resort’s first Climate Action Plan, integrating leadership vision with operational execution. She combines on-the-ground event and resort operations experience with long-term planning, securing funding, stakeholder alignment, and innovative programs that advance both business and environmental goals.
Carrie Thomas is the Director of Energy Districts at McKinstry, a role she has held since July 2021—bringing over 40 years of experience in sectors spanning construction, utilities, industrial engineering, management consulting, and financial services. She launched her career at Xerox in 1985 and subsequently held roles in energy services at firms like Siemens, Energy Systems Group, and Southland Industries. Her multi-decade, cross-sector expertise in developer and energy roles positions her as a seasoned strategist adept at fostering growth, forging partnerships, and steering enterprise-level energy and infrastructure initiatives.
Mady was born in Mexico and raised primarily in Eagle, CO, where she developed a love for the outdoors through various school programs. Growing up between Eagle and Mexico gave her a deep connection to the environment, inspired in her family’s traditions of farming and caring for the land to ensure a healthy future for generations. Mady earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with a minor in Geographic Information Science, from the University of Northern Colorado.
Dominique Giroux is a Sustainability Manager at Vail Resorts, where she leads the company’s Commitment to Zero programs at Breckenridge and Keystone Ski Resorts. With over a decade of experience in the sustainability field and 13 years living in Summit County, Dominique understands the role of community-business collaboration in building resilient mountain towns. Her work includes focus on waste reduction and diversion strategies and fostering partnerships that support circular economy practices across resort operations and the broader community.
Jessica Burley is a collaborative public service leader with deep experience in sustainability, community engagement, and local government. She serves as Sustainability and Parking Manager for the Town of Breckenridge and Board Chair of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA). Previously a two-term Frisco Town Council Member and nonprofit Community Programs Director, Jessica has led initiatives in climate action, clean energy, transportation, water conservation, and economic resilience. She is passionate about advancing equitable climate solutions and empowering communities to shape their future.
Sarah Judkins advises and represents clients on a range of air quality, climate change, energy, and public lands issues before state and federal regulatory bodies and agencies, as well as in federal and state court. She counsels clients on the best strategy to reach desired outcomes, which may include policy, regulatory, or litigation tools, or some combination thereof. Sarah’s experience extends to practicing before the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and the Interior Board of Land Appeals, in addition to numerous state and federal courts. She has also represented clients seeking approvals from the Department of the Interior, the United States Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and several Colorado state agencies.
Darren McAvoy is an Extension Associate Professor of Forestry at Utah State University and a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters. He is an expert at low-tech biochar production methods and the inventor of Big Box biochar kilns. He owns and operates Darren McAvoy Consulting, an international forestry consulting firm. After graduating from Colorado State University with a forestry degree he was a sawyer on the Flathead Hotshot Crew in Columbia Falls, MT and a consulting forester in Sandpoint, ID. Darren holds a master’s degree in communications from Utah State University.
Michael Foote is the founder of Foote Environmental Law & Policy, LLC, a firm that works at the intersection of law, policy, and regulatory proceedings to produce positive environmental outcomes for local governments, environmental organizations, renewable energy companies, community groups, and trade organizations. He regularly appears before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Air Quality Control Commission, and the Energy and Carbon Management Commission, as well as utilities commissions in other states. His litigation experience ranges from the Colorado Supreme Court to district courts across the state. Prior to private practice, Mr. Foote was a four-term state legislator focusing on energy policy and a prosecutor specializing in complex economic crimes.
Diane Calvin is the founder of CAFE Food Rescue. She held the vision of a food rescue organization for Summit County in her heart for many years. When COVID hit and food insecurity grew in Summit County, she decided to start CAFE Food Rescue, beginning as the sole worker, picking up and distributing food herself. As she found more support and help from friends, she began writing grant proposals and expanding the food rescued and redistributed.
She has a degree in civil engineering and a background in solid waste management.
Bio Coming Soon.
Ed has 17 years of experience in transportation planning and has played a key role in capital improvement programs and projects. He leads AECOM’s Transit and Rail team in Colorado that includes a team of planners and engineers conducting transit/ multimodal planning and design projects. He has extensive experience as a project manager and task lead on multimodal and transit projects.
Certified Community Transit Manager with a Master’s Degree in Information Systems Management. Accomplished Transit Director with extensive experience in grant writing & grant management, service planning, project development, and budget management . Expert in optimizing transit services, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction through collaboration.
Bio Coming Soon.
Breann joined Lotus in 2024 and has led multiple cohorts of communities in Colorado to align on energy policies and building codes. Prior to Lotus, Breann worked at the County of Santa Clara Office of Sustainability as a Senior Management Analyst and led climate action planning, building code adoption efforts, and decarbonization projects. Breann earned a Master of Engineering in Bio-Environmental Engineering and a Bachelors of Science in Bio-Environmental Engineering from Cornell University College of Engineering.
Dinorah is the Communications & Engagement Specialist on the Solar for All Team at the Colorado Energy Office. In this role she develops, and implements proactive communications, marketing, and engagement plans for the COS4A programs while integrating outreach and engagement in low-income communities. She graduated with a Journalism degree from CU Boulder and earned her Master’s in Communications from Hamburg University. In her spare time, she loves to travel, go paddle boarding, and play sports.
Rob is a physicist, educator, and science communicator of rare coherence. Trained in quantum optics and atmospheric physics, his career has spanned research labs, NASA missions, and university classrooms — but his deeper work has long centered on synthesizing systems science, climate research, and human psychology to illuminate the roots of our civilizational crisis.
Bethany Hayes is the Fleet Operations Manager with the City of Aspen. She has over a decade of experience in fleet management and was a part of the initial implementation of fleet telematics within the USDA. Bethany is now looking at ways to analyze the City of Aspen’s vehicle usage and determine what operational changes need to be made for life cycle planning with respect to electrification.
Alan Spadafora holds a degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Plymouth State University and has been working in forestry and fuels management since 2020. He has been part of teams that have carried out thousands of acres of pile burning and other fuels reduction treatments across Utah. In addition to his forestry work, Alan serves as an active wildland firefighter, bringing firsthand experience in fire behavior and suppression. He has worked with several large landowners in the Park City area to assess forest health, develop wildfire risk strategies, and implement management solutions. Alan’s work focuses on bridging practical fire management with sustainable approaches like biochar to create healthier, more resilient forests.
Heather is an educator, bridge builder, and systems nerd with 20+ years of experience working with nonprofits, local government, businesses, and higher education to implement sustainability and climate action initiatives.
Patti’s focus is on creating housing policy, developing programs to bridge the affordability gap, and partnering to build new workforce housing units in the Town of Avon. Currently, she is leading the Regional Housing Needs Assessment and the Regional Housing Action Plan for Eagle County. Other projects include two workforce housing apartment complexes in the town, targeting the 80-120% Area Median Income level, which will total around 140 new rental units. Previous projects include updating the 30-year-old Avon Community Housing Policies and co-creating the Bold Housing Moves for Eagle County.
Mary first began working with fleets in 2006, assisting with the Pennsylvania statewide emergency response radio rebanding. She has since worked with fleets in many industries to leverage the power of driving data to create positive behavior change, demonstrating results in reduced fuel consumption & emissions, and increased safety. Her present work at Sawatch Labs supports smart, economical fleet electrification. Ms. Till is proud to serve as Vice President for Drive Clean Colorado, a Clean Cities and Communities Coalition.
Tim Karfs is a Sustainability Programs Administrator with the City of Aspen’s Climate Action Office. His primary focus is on transportation electrification, which includes building out Aspen’s public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and supporting electric vehicle adoption in the city fleet. He moved to Aspen for the better skiing compared to his options at home in Australia.
Kate Kirkman serves as Eagle County’s Climate Programs Coordinator. She is a key figure in the county’s decarbonization efforts and has been actively involved in implementing and funding projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system at the Eagle County building.
Shannon Hessler lives and works in the rural ski resort community of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado, where she focuses on sustainability and community development. In her role as a local government planner, Shannon develops strategies that balance environmental goals with the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. She holds a B.S. from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master’s in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University, where she specialized in climate action planning for rural and mountain communities.
Ari Moledina is the Associate Director on the Local Government Climate Solutions team at CEO and works with numerous communities across the state to further their sustainability and decarbonization efforts. As an energy professional committed to advancing equitable climate solutions, Ari works to support communities at the local level with building capacity, solving complex challenges, and driving results. Ari graduated from the Masters of the Environment program at CU Boulder with specializations in renewable energy and urban sustainability in 2023.
Tara Stitzlein is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), where she has held various leadership roles since 2022. Tara’s diverse experiences living and working in mountain communities, from Teton Valley, ID, to Seward, AK, have equipped her with a nuanced understanding of environmental challenges and community dynamics. In her role at CORE, Tara combines her scientific expertise and problem-solving skills to lead initiatives that address climate change and enhance community resilience. She is dedicated to fostering collaboration and driving innovative solutions that create a sustainable future for all residents.
Eliza Voss is the Vice President of Marketing for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association in Aspen, CO. She has been part of the team since 2010, playing a roll in the brand and creative development, website redesigns, media placement, strategic planning and the development of the Aspen Destination Management Plan. As a passionate member of the Aspen community, Eliza keeps the balance between quality of life and economic sustainability at the forefront of all tourism decisions. She is a mother of 3 young children and enjoys skiing, mountain biking and beach escapes.
Dr. Nels Bjarke is a research scientist with the Western Water Assessment and CIRES. His work focuses on climate hazard risk assessments to help build community resilience across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. He uses high-resolution hydrologic and land-surface information to develop actionable assessments that inform planning for communities to be more resilient to wildfire, drought, and flooding. Nels also collaborates with leading national experts on strategies to use wildfire observations to build water systems that are resilient to post-fire impacts on water quality and quantity. He holds an M.S. in Earth and Planetary Science from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Dr. Katie Clifford is a social scientist who studies human-environment relationships in the context of environmental change. Her work on climate risk and adaptation focuses on a broad range of climate hazards in the Intermountain West including wildfire, extreme heat, air quality, drought, and others. Key to Katie’s approach is that she works in partnership with communities to ensure that they get answers to their pressing questions and that research findings are actionable. She loves nothing more than supporting a community in building capacity and resilience. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College and a master’s and PhD from CU Boulder. When not working, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and pup and sharing a homecooked meal with friends.
Kim Wheels is the Energy Specialist for EcoAction Partners, a sustainability nonprofit in the San Juan Mountain region of Colorado. She has worked for EcoAction since the organization’s inception working on greenhouse gas emission analysis, facilitation of the regional collaborative Sneffels Energy Board, building department support and more. Kim holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, became an energy engineer, acquired her professional engineering license in 2002, and upon arrival to Colorado in 2005, completed courses in renewable energy and green building design with Solar Energy International.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
Annie Beall is the Sr. Program Manager of the Home Energy Rebate Program with the Colorado Energy Office. Annie brings her background of environmental management, affordable housing and social work together to support residential building decarbonization. Annie enjoys connecting existing and emerging networks throughout the state, and has previously worked with communities in Boulder, Longmont, Durango, Cañon City, and Gunnison.
