Speakers and Panelists
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Ean Thomas Tafoya
Vice President of State Programs, GreenLatinos
Ean is active in Denver Public Affairs, Colorado Public Policy, and Federal Environmental Policy. He has worked for three branches of local government, worked at three levels of American government, run for Denver Mayor, and has directed many local and state political races. Currently, he serves as the GreenLatinos Vice President of State Programs. Ean has received recognition for his work from the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Denver Regional Air Quality Council, named a River Hero by the National River Network, and served as the Co-Chair of the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Taskforce. Recently, he was named a Top 10 National Energy Justice leader by Vote Solar and completed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Energy Executives program. He loves to dance whether it be at a concert or in politics!
As Mr. Denver, a local music DJ and radio host, he uses the media to uplift locals in the community.
Ean is a water protector that holds a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Native American Studies, a Water Studies Certificate, and Early Childhood Education Certificate from Metropolitan State University of Denver as well as a Horticultural Therapy Certificate from Colorado State University. He was a Community Scholar at the University of Denver Interdisciplinary Research Institute of (in)Equality researching infrastructure, housing, and environmental justice. Currently, he is in a Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Graduate Program at the Colorado School of Mines.
Follow Ean @eanthomastafoya on all platforms.
Claybourne F. Clark
Climate Change Program Director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Clay currently serves as the Climate Change Program Director within the Air Division of the Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Before joining CDPHE he spent over twenty years practicing environmental law, including serving as a Sr. Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado representing CDPHE’s Air Division. His work as counsel for the Air Division included representing the state in Colorado’s adoption of the first-in-the-nation “methane rules” for oil and gas, and in the adoption of Colorado’s Low and Zero Emission Vehicle standards. Prior to his work in Colorado, Clay worked as an attorney in Washington D.C. and internationally on climate issues. He served as an invited speaker at the 2006 United Nations Climate Change Conference. He is an author of the “Aviation and Climate Change Regulation” chapter in the book, “Legal Aspects of Carbon Trading” published by Oxford University Press.
Outside of work he is a husband and father of two as well as an avid rock and mountain climber, and has summited several of the world’s highest peaks including Mt. Everest.
Megan McCarthy
Manufacturing Decarbonization Program Lead Climate Change Program, Air Pollution Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Megan currently serves as the program lead for the industrial and manufacturing decarbonization program within the Climate Change Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment where she led the development of first-in-the-nation regulations setting GHG emission limits on large manufacturing facilities in the state. Prior to joining CDPHE 8 years ago, Megan managed the quality, environmental and sustainability efforts of a national utility-scale solar conglomerate including two 250-MW CSP plants in the southwest US. Throughout her career, Megan has been a strong advocate for the climate movement, bringing people together to catalyze creative solutions to advance climate action and policy. In her free time, Megan enjoys all things Colorado has to offer with her 8 year old daughter, and husband including skiing, hiking, boating, biking and Denver’s great concert scene.
Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Thursday May 1 from 4:00 - 5:00
Maglione Hall (Sie Complex #5025)
University of Denver
Steve Recca
Moderator, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Steve Recca is Executive Director of the Center for Human Security in the University of Colorado Colorado Springs College of Public Service. He concurrently serves as the Director of the University and Agency Partnership Program for the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense & Security and as Senior Operations Advisor for the Pacific Disaster Center. Steve’s previous positions include security policy assignments with the State Department, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, and in academia. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Marian University (Wisconsin) and the Board of Directors of the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership. Steve recently returned to the Board of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council as Vice Chair.
Most important, Steve is married to lovely Darlene. Together, they have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Brian Loma
Panelist, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Brian Loma is an environmental organizer in Denver with GreenLatinos and Cut The Plastic EMS, which he founded in 2015. Brian is a MSU Denver Alumnus with a BS in Sustainable Infrastructure and Practices. He serves as the Hazardous Materials and Waste Diversion advocate for GreenLatinos Colorado, is on the board of directors for Good Business Colorado, serves in the Environmental Justice Seat for the Extended Producer Responsibility State Advisory Board, as is a co-founder of Mutual Aid Mondays, providing hot food and support outside Denver's City and County Building. Inclusive of his resume is the Citizens Ballot Initiative - Waste No More Denverwhich won the popular vote in 2022 with 7%1 voter approval. Waste No More brings mandated recycling infrastructure to all of Denver County and organics diversion for event spaces and food producers.
Steve Recca
Moderator, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Steve Recca is Executive Director of the Center for Human Security in the University of Colorado Colorado Springs College of Public Service. He concurrently serves as the Director of the University and Agency Partnership Program for the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense & Security and as Senior Operations Advisor for the Pacific Disaster Center. Steve’s previous positions include security policy assignments with the State Department, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, and in academia. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Marian University (Wisconsin) and the Board of Directors of the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership. Steve recently returned to the Board of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council as Vice Chair.
Most important, Steve is married to lovely Darlene. Together, they have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Jerry Tinianow
Panelist, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Jerry Tinianow operates Western Urban Sustainability Advisors. WestUrb (westurb.com) assists local governments in creating and improving sustainability and climate action policies, plans and programs.
Jerry’s work at WestUrb reflects the successes he achieved as Denver’s first Chief Sustainability Officer (2012-19). Under his leadership Denver won Platinum-level certification in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities program. Denver met its ambitious 2020 goal for community greenhouse gas reduction in 2018 – two years ahead of schedule. Denver’s record in mitigating climate change won it a place on the “A List” of top-performing cities issued by the international climate action organization CDP.
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Jerry previously served as a national officer of both the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society, and directed the Center for Energy and Environment at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. As Audubon’s executive director in Ohio, he conducted the largest capital campaign in Audubon’s history and developed the nation’s most urban nature education center, the LEED-Gold “Grange Insurance Audubon Center.” The Sierra Club designated him a national “Environmental Hero” during its centennial celebration. Jerry also served on the Global Executive Committee of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, a group of over 2,500 local and regional governments that collaborate on promoting sustainable urban development.
Jerry received his undergraduate and law degrees from George Washington University. He practiced law as a commercial trial attorney for over 20 years and was a partner in two large Ohio law firms. He was the 2018 winner of the Wirth Chair Sustainability Award, given by the University of Colorado in recognition of his climate action.
Kristine Bell
Panelist, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Ms. Kristine Bell is a highly skilled and seasoned researcher with over seven years of experience specializing in topics central to homeland security, to include historical and contemporary domestic and transnational violent extremist organizations (VEOs) and far-right ideologies. As a Fulbright scholar, Ms. Bell has cultivated a deep understanding of global security issues, fostering international collaboration and promoting cross-cultural dialogue to enhance global security efforts. Additionally, she has successfully managed International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLP) for the State Department, focused on enhancing security posture and facilitating international cooperation and education on counterterrorism and counterextremism efforts.
As a Research Associate at 413, LLC—a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal contracting company based in Colorado Springs—Ms. Bell leverages her background as a historian to apply a mixed-methods research approach in evaluating counterterrorism programs and security cooperation initiatives for the U.S. Government. Her work supports the delivery of high-quality, data-driven products to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State. Ms. Bell is fluent in German with a Master's degree in History from the University of Colorado, deepening her expertise in the field of national security and counterterrorism. Ms. Bell continues to bridge the gap between research, education, policy, and international collaboration, in the hopes of contributing to the fight against extremism.
Paul W. Kozel
Panelist, Climate as a Threat Multiplier
Paul Kozel is a public health and emergency management professional, currently working as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager at the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. With formal training in epidemiology and communicable disease, Paul has an interest in preparing communities for the ever-changing communicable disease landscape. Paul has experience in public health emergency management at all levels of government: federal, state, and local. He has responded to emergencies ranging from communicable diseases to humanitarian crises to natural hazards. Paul takes a data-driven approach to public health emergency management, having previously led data reporting for New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution operations and California’s hospital data reporting.
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Paul has served in various other roles in addition to his previous positions. He has served as a national reviewer for the National Association of City and County Health Officials’ Project Public Health Ready recognition program, assessing local public health department’s emergency preparedness and response documents, plans, and procedures, providing feedback and furthering preparedness in these jurisdictions. Paul was also a member of the National Disaster Medical System’s Incident Management Team, under the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response in the US Department of Health and Human Services.
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Paul has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Santa Clara University, and a Master’s degree in Public Health, with an emphasis in Epidemiology, from the George Washington University. He has also received designation as a Certified Emergency Manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Rewriting the Script: Transforming masculine norms to address the climate crisis
Friday May 2 from 9:00 - 10:00
Maglione Hall (Sie Complex #5025)
University of Denver
Alex Nelson
Moderator, Rewriting the Script: Transforming masculine norms to address the climate crisis
Alex Nelson is a Human Rights MA student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is currently spearheading a MenEngage North American Network Chapter at the Korbel School. Alex’s interest in the intersections between patriarchal masculinities and the climate crises led to his involvement in the Conference. He is also passionate about learning languages and calls New York City home. In the future, he plans to work within NGO or UN spaces to advance gender justice.
Laxman Belbase
Panelist, Rewriting the Script: Transforming masculine norms to address the climate crisis
Laxman Belbase is the Global Co-director of MenEngage Global Alliance. Laxman is a gender justice activist with over two decades of expertise in organizational management, strategic and program development, and advocacy for gender justice and child rights. Laxman’s expertise includes engaging men and boys in gender equality, advocating for LGBTIQ rights, climate justice and social justice, and promoting child rights. Laxman also serves as a part-time faculty member at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University.
Khurram
Panelist, Rewriting the Script: Transforming masculine norms to address the climate crisis
Khurram is a poet. As an artist-academic he enjoys working in community-focused projects.
Sari Kamiyama (she/they)
Panelist, Rewriting the Script: Transforming masculine norms to address the climate crisis
Master’s candidate in Sociology and Gender Studies at Waseda Graduate School in Tokyo, Japan. Sari has been an active advocate for gender justice, and nuclear issues since 2019. Recently, she founded International Men and Masculinities Studies Society (IMSS) in Tokyo and held some academic and artistic events about men abd masculinities studies. After interning for North America MenEngage Alliance in 2024, she became an Individual member of MenEngage Alliance. Part of Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) as well as Youth Reference Group (YRG).
Divine Stewardship: Religious Perspectives on Climate
Friday May 2 from 10:30 - 11:45
Maglione Hall (Sie Complex #5025)
University of Denver
Dean Frederick "Fritz" Mayer
Moderator, Divine Stewardship: Religious Perspectives on Climate
Douglas Allen is an associate professor of management. He joined the faculty as instructor in 1989, and was named assistant professor in 1991 after receiving his PhD from the University of Michigan. He was named associate professor in 1997 and director of the Daniels College International MBA program in 2006. In 1996 and 1999, Allen was a visiting professor at the Renmin (People’s) University in Beijing, China. Before joining the University, Allen was an adjunct professor for Wayne State University and lecturer for the University of Michigan business school.
Dr. Douglas Allen
Panelist, Divine Stewardship: Religious Perspectives on Climate
Douglas Allen is an associate professor of management. He joined the faculty as instructor in 1989, and was named assistant professor in 1991 after receiving his PhD from the University of Michigan. He was named associate professor in 1997 and director of the Daniels College International MBA program in 2006. In 1996 and 1999, Allen was a visiting professor at the Renmin (People’s) University in Beijing, China. Before joining the University, Allen was an adjunct professor for Wayne State University and lecturer for the University of Michigan business school.
Lisa Pettitt
Panelist, Divine Stewardship: Religious Perspectives on Climate
Dr. Pettitt (she/her) has a BA in Psychology with a Theology minor from the College of St. Benedict and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Denver. Dr. Pettitt was ordained in Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing in 2011. For the past 20 years, Lisa has practiced and supported the growth of Compassionate Dharma Cloud Monastery in Morrison, Colorado. She also serves as a racial equity champion and coalition member with Mountain Youth Network, a public health organization seeking to provide youth with skill-building opportunities and community connections. She is a feminist who has learned about disability and self-advocacy from her sister with Down Syndrome and anti-racism and intersectionality from wise and generous women and men of the global majority. Lisa teaches yoga, volunteers with high school students and her community around topics of environmental activism, racial equity, and positive youth development, and spends time in contemplation and deep listening.
Rev. Gary Brower
Panelist, Divine Stewardship: Religious Perspectives on Climate
The Rev. Dr. Gary Brower grew up in Portland, Oregon. He holds undergraduate degrees from both Northwest Christian College and the University of Oregon. His M.Div. is from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1993. In 1996 he completed his Ph.D. in Religion (Early Christian History) at Duke University. Gary has served as the Episcopal campus minister at Duke University, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and the University of California-Berkeley. From 2007 - 2018, he served as the University Chaplain at the University of Denver. He is currently the Rector (Lead Pastor) at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Centennial. He enjoys bicycling, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, cooking, and Rocky Mountain National Park—and spent last summer on sabbatical visiting most of the national parks of the West!
Money Talks but can it save the planet?
Friday May 2 from 3:30 - 4:45
Maglione Hall (Sie Complex #5025)
University of Denver
Kevin Kappes
Moderator, Money Talks but can it save the planet?
Kevin Kappes is a first year Korbel graduate student in the Global Economic Affairs (GEA) program, and he is also pursuing a certificate in Global CSR. He leads the GEA student group known as the Council on Economic Affairs, the co-sponsor of this panel. Originally from San Diego, CA, Kevin came to DU in 2020 to study international studies and economics as an undergrad. He currently works for the Denver World Trade Center as a Business Development Specialist, and his goal is to help international businesses behave more socially and environmentally consciously, particularly in Latin America. Starting in June, he will begin an eight-month exchange semester and internship experience across two cities in Brazil where he hopes to hone his international business experience.
Christiana Kayode
Panelist: Money Talks but Can it Save the Planet
Chrissie Kayode is a Portfolio Asset Manager at one of the largest renewable energy companies in America, where she oversees a portfolio of assets valued at over $1 billion.
She also serves as Co-Director at The X Element, where she is reimagining finance for impact.
With over a decade of experience in Structured Finance and Energy & Climate Finance, Chrissie specializes in designing financial structures that unlock capital for innovation. In addition to her professional roles, she is an Adjunct Professor at Parsons and mentors entrepreneurs through platforms such as Techstars, Nasdaq, and Village Capital, helping them develop investor-ready, sustainable business models.
Blending financial analytical rigor with creative problem-solving, Chrissie bridges the gap between capital, design, and impact—shaping a future where money moves with purpose.
Dr. Murat Kucukvar
Panelist, Money Talks but Can it Save the Planet
Murat Kucukvar is a Professor of Sustainable Business at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. His work focuses on carbon footprint analysis and management, sustainable operations and supply chains, sustainability accounting and reporting, and quantitative sustainability assessment of emerging technologies. Ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally in the field of sustainability, environmental sciences, and energy, he has published over 150 papers in top journals and led $ 3 M+ in funded sustainability projects. He is also the co-founder of S3Lab, providing sustainability analytics and training for corporate clients.
Scott Travis
Panelist, Money Talks but can it save the planet?
Scott Travis is Head of Research at Orange Ridge Capital. Scott is a researcher and consultant with expertise in economic advisory - covering topics such as climate risk, geopolitical landscape mapping, circular economics, growth strategy, and due diligence. An M.A. in Quantitative International Political Economy from Korbel, Scott's academic work focused on resource modelling, including econometrics and advanced statistical analysis. Before his graduate studies, Scott began his career at the Congressional Leadership Fund, a political independent expenditure fund associated with US House leadership. Since leaving Washington, Scott has been employed by a series of geopolitical risk and management consulting firms (most notably Veracity Worldwide), where he has led diverse client engagements. Scott has mostly recently held significant positions of increasing responsibility across leading consulting firms heading their Sustainability and ESG research efforts (Aperio Intelligence and TRC Advisory) while serving Private Equity and Venture Capital clients. At Orange Ridge Capital, Scott will continue to advance his work in service of evaluation of our investment profile, partners, and thesis. Scott oversees ORC’s macroeconomic research and evaluation of climate adaptation and transition finance opportunities for investment.