Heidi Binko, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Just Transition Fund
Chris Markuson, Director of Colorado and State Economic Transition Policy, BlueGreen Alliance
Kirstie McPherson, Community and Economic Development Manager, Colorado Office of Just Transition
Tim Wohlgenant, Executive Director, Yampa Valley Community Foundation
Heidi Binko
As the co-founder and executive director of the Just Transition Fund, Heidi is responsible for the design and the overall strategic direction of the organization. With more than 17 years of philanthropic experience on climate, coal, and energy issues, Heidi has worked with coal communities throughout the US and internationally in Australia.
In her previous position as Associate Director for Special Climate Initiatives at RFF, Heidi helped develop and grow the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Before joining RFF, she was the executive director of the WestWind Foundation, a family foundation based in Virginia. She also previously served as co-chair of the board of directors of the Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA) and co-chair of the Climate and Energy Funders Group, a project of the Biodiversity Funders Group. Heidi holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Notre Dame.
Chris Markuson
Chris Markuson is the Director of Colorado and State Economic Transition Policy for the BlueGreen Alliance (BGA). He leads BGA’s Colorado efforts to identify and implement policies and projects that will help build the clean energy economy, reduce emissions, create quality, family-sustaining jobs, and support a just transition for Colorado workers and communities. He also leads BGA’s development and implementation of state economic transition policies.
Chris has more than twenty-five years of experience in local government and the private sector. Before joining BlueGreen Alliance, he served as Director of Economic Development, GIS and Energy for Pueblo County, Colorado. Here, Chris was responsible for growing the economy, implementing systemic intelligent decision making through use of GIS technology, and leading community energy regulatory and policy efforts.
Kirstie McPherson
Kirstie McPherson is a Behavioral Economist with a primary focus on transitioning economies such as coal-reliant communities and other one-industry communities, working with their redevelopment strategies and communication programs. Most recently, Kirstie has launched a new program called Flipping Towns with her company Edeveco to better facilitate the economic development strategy process with implementation, and provide real investment to communities who need it the most. Kirstie also owns and operates local and expanding businesses 518 Wine Bar in Craig, CO, and The Find, Co. in Craig and Loveland, CO. These businesses attest to the importance of downtown revitalization and entrepreneurship, an insight she brings to each community she works in.
Tim Wohlgenant
Tim Wohlgenant is the Executive Director of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation based in Steamboat Springs. He has played a leadership role in successful efforts to start several non-profit organizations including the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (now in its 25th year and one of the most successful land trusts in the country), the Bluff Lake Nature Center (a 26-year old Denver non-profit), and the South Dakota Agricultural Land Trust (a current effort to establish the state’s first statewide land trust).
Most recently Tim has been Coalition Director of For the Love of Colorado, a collaboration of water stakeholders from across the state seeking to address the funding gap standing in the way of full implementation of Colorado’s Water Plan.
