Founder & CEO

Kristin Cushman is the CEO for Blue Strike Environmental. Kristin’s focus is to build climate mitigation strategies that combine community priorities with local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. She has worked for over a decade on supporting waste and energy state mandates, building public private partnerships to leverage resources and innovate programs.

On the forefront, she designs program activities, creates best practices and reports on UN Sustainable Development goals and Council for Responsible Sport certification. She also has an impeccable record for calculating, tracking, and reporting a wide range of sustainability metrics in electricity consumption, fuel consumption, waste diversion, and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Chief Sustainability Officer

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Alex Baxter is a graduate of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University holding his degree in Sustainability (Economics of Sustainability) and a minor in Business. He believes in connecting stakeholders and creating mutual benefits among the three pillars of sustainability, economy, environment, and society to advance organizations’ social footprint in their community, and views events as the catalyst and touchpoint for change.

Since joining Blue Strike, Alex has led dozens of successful sustainability programs at PGA TOUR events, the 2019 U.S. Open, road races/marathons, and festivals leading to zero-waste events, Golf Environment Organization (GEO) and Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) certification, and building civic bridges in the community ensuring sustainability is a year-round part of client’s operations by bringing local stakeholders and corporate partners to the table.

Prior to joining Blue Strike, Alex launched the Arizona Diamondbacks’ inaugural composting program in 2017 and supported the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four – the first jewel sporting event to certify as Evergreen by the Council for Responsible Sport.


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Climate & Energy Director

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Systems Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder

• M.A. in International Affairs, Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

• B.A. in Economics, University of Colorado, Boulder

Rich is an experienced Project Manager with over 20 years of experience delivering complex projects in both the public and private sector. His work includes leading projects for California Polytechnic University, the Research Triangle Institute, San Diego State University, the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and Fairfield, Ohio. Rich has helped many jurisdictions to create and execute detailed Climate Action Plans. He is proficient in managing every phase of a project, ensuring they are completed effectively, on schedule, and within the allocated budget. He has also helped connect his clients with over $200 million in financing for climate-related projects. With a strong foundation in economic and greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis, along with a deep understanding of renewable energy finance and financial modeling, Rich is able to oversee projects that achieve both environmental and financial objectives. 

Additional experience:

• Rich has helped connect his clients with over $200 million in financing for climate-related projects.

• Rich has managed highly diverse teams that span departments, stakeholder groups, and international borders.

• Prior to joining Blue Strike, he worked as a senior energy economist and finance expert for World Bank projects.

• Rich has provided sophisticated financial modeling to help clients understand the capital and operational needs of projects from small city-sponsored programs of several million dollars, to large infrastructure projects of over one billion dollars.

• Rich has provided economic analysis to cities, counties and countries to assess the benefits and costs of policies, programs and projects, analyzing them in terms of job creation, tax implications, and economic growth potential.

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Special Events Director

Living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Matt Fedorko is the Director of Special Events, where he focuses on planning, implementing, and reporting on sustainability programs, especially in the sports and event space. Matt’s passion for protecting the environment drives his work, and he’s always looking for ways to inspire behavioral change, both within the events he oversees and among those who attend them. His goal is to keep sustainability front and center at every event, leaving a lasting impact and encouraging eco-friendly choices for everyone involved.

In his role, Matt has played a key part in carbon emission tracking and reduction efforts, waste sorting programs, ensuring financial sustainability, and coming up with creative, impactful sustainability solutions. His work helps shape strategies that reduce environmental impact while getting everyone from participants to stakeholders excited and engaged.

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Engagement & Resilience Director

Education:

• M.S. in Biomimicry, Arizona State University

• B.S. in Environmental Science Technology, Humboldt State University

• B.A. in Spanish, Humboldt State University

Brennen leads Blue Strike’s stakeholder engagement, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a seasoned and trained facilitator in both virtual and in-person settings, she thoughtfully cultivates an environment where participants feel empowered to contribute meaningfully. Leveraging proven facilitation strategies, design thinking exercises, and multi-channel communications, Brennen ensures each engagement is productive and supportive. With expertise in environmental behavior change, Brennen collaborates with government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits to develop localized and scalable climate solutions. Her strategic approach has earned recognition from organizations such as the Department of Conservation and the California Air Resources Board. Renowned for her skill in navigating complex community policies, Brennen has successfully mobilized rural and urban communities, shifting perspectives from compliance to empowerment. She has led the development of impactful statewide conservation programs, including innovative efforts like the California Carpet Stewardship Program and Energy Upgrade California and the whole-house energy efficiency program, Energy Upgrade California. Brennen’s leadership extends to Blue Strike’s engagement initiatives, where she drives efforts focused on climate solutions, zero waste, extended producer responsibility, and circular economies.

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Development Director, Sustainable Sports & Entertainment

Abbie Beane is Blue Strike Environmental’s Development Director of Sustainable Sports and Entertainment, and has over 15 years of experience in the environmental field. She has worked on conservation efforts for nonprofits in Wyoming and Oregon, and directed two environmental non-profits based in Monterey County.

Abbie has also developed zero-waste, organics recycling and environmental certification programs for businesses and special events, and has extensive experience in extended producer responsibility (EPR). In the EPR world, Abbie has worked as a California statewide director, grants manager and research consultant in opening new end markets for post-consumer materials. Abbie has also worked for the Product Stewardship Institute and led several stakeholder groups tackling waste reduction or restoration priorities.

She is a Sustainable Event Alliance certified professional and holds a Masters degree in international environmental policy and sustainable development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Abbie is based in the California office.

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California Event Division Manager

Originally from Nevada, Emily has spent most of her adult life studying sustainable practices all over the world. She graduated from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability in 2019, and went on to spend time living in Malaysia, Nepal, Australia, and most recently New York, where she worked with volunteer groups to divert fabric waste from landfill.

In 2022 Emily moved to the Monterey area, and joined the Blue Strike team working and leading various events throughout the summer. She’s looking forward to growing with the company and expanding the sustainability efforts in her local community. In her spare time Emily enjoys sewing, gardening, and has recently become an instructor at Pure Barre.

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Strategic Advisor

Dave is a veteran sustainability professional with executive leadership experience in business, government, and entrepreneurship that helps monetize and leverage sustainability by creating revenue-generating assets, cost savings, and measurable environmental and social benefits. He advises Blue Strike clients of systems-thinking, critical-analysis methods for program development, deployment and full-cost accounting.

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Sustainability Program Manager

Dave, a Monterey County native, has been part of the Blue Strike team since 2017. He leads environmental projects throughout the state with a focus on the PGA TOUR and California State Mandated SB 1383. When David is not working, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his friends and family.

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Sustainability Program Manager

Originally from Northern California, Katy graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor in French. Katy’s volunteer and early career experience has been focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems, restoration ecology, and climate adaptation. Before joining Blue Strike, Katy completed an AmeriCorps fellowship with Sacramento Municipal Utility District, where she worked on a variety of climate adaptation projects focusing on topics such as biodiversity, habitat restoration, urban greening and heat mitigation.

Katy joined the Blue Strike team in 2023 to work at events and to support the Engagement and Resilience team. She is excited to bring her passion for food waste reduction into her new role, and to support community oriented solutions for climate resilience. When she’s not working, Katy loves traveling, crocheting, and spending time outdoors.

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Sustainability Program Manager

Born and Raised in the tropical island of Hawaii, Zane developed an appreciation for the Environment at a young age. His passion to learn about the natural environment and find ways to protect it led him to pursue a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Agroecology and sustainable food systems from The University of California, Santa Cruz. 

With a strong academic background in areas such as sustainability, conservation, and agricultural sciences, Zane is motivated to make a difference in the world. 

During his free time he enjoys surfing, hiking, gardening, and all things outdoors.

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National Sustainability Program Manager

Hailing from Ohio, Riley's educational journey led her to Florida State University, where she pursued dual majors in Spanish and Biology, all while making her mark as a competitive runner. With a background rooted in resilience and disaster response, Riley's dedication to fostering sustainable solutions became evident during her engagement with Florida State University's Resilience Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center. Building on this foundation, she pursued a master's degree in Social and Sustainable Enterprises, delving into critical areas such as methane emission reduction initiatives.

Riley's exceptional work earned her recognition as a global semifinalist in the University of Oxford's prestigious "Map the System" competition, highlighting her ability to navigate the intricate intersections of climate change, policy, and infrastructure.

Armed with a dynamic problem-solving approach and an entrepreneurial spirit, Riley is committed to innovative strategies prioritizing the well-being of both people and the planet. As she takes on her role at Blue Strike Environmental, Riley's vision and expertise are poised to drive the organization's sustainability initiatives to new heights, leaving a lasting and positive impact on our world.

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Program Manager;
Energy and Carbon Markets

Education:

• M.S. in Sustainability Science, Columbia University

• B.A. in Psychology, San Francisco State University

Anna Bugankova brings innovative solutions to climate action through her work with advanced renewable energy systems and energy efficiency programs. Her expertise extends to reducing energy costs and increasing savings, with a strong focus on energy justice and affordability, especially for marginalized communities. Anna holds a Master of Science in Sustainability Science from Columbia University, where she was involved in a wide array of projects, including creating decarbonization strategies and developing financial and operational frameworks for solar, electric vehicle (EV), and sustainable development initiatives. Her strategic approach to energy finance is evident in her ability to integrate tax incentives, grants, and private investments into project funding. Anna has also designed solar feasibility studies and decarbonization solutions for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the City of Glenwood Springs, and the City of Fairfield. Currently, she plays a key leadership role in sustainability action plans for the City of Fayetteville, NC and Kennesaw State University, GA.

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Program Manager; Data and Climate Scientist

Education:

• M.Sc. Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University

• M.Sc. Oceanography, Texas A&M University

• BSc. Geology, University Federal do Paraná

Daianne is a Data & Climate Scientist with a solid foundation in climate data science, analytics, and sustainable economic development. Her expertise in Python, R, and MATLAB is central to her role, especially in conducting data analysis, developing forecasting models, and visualizing data. She holds an M.S. in Oceanography from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Harvard University.  Her contributions at Blue Strike are centered on delivering insightful analysis from complex datasets. These efforts support clients in achieving their environmental goals, such as carbon neutrality and the implementation of sustainable climate solutions, by providing a clear understanding of their energy needs and the environmental impact of their operations. Her work includes the development of econometric models in Excel to assess the viability and impact of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures. In her role, she developed machine learning models with Python to forecast the electric energy demands of LVCVA, Nevada. These forecasts guided the implementation of solar power interventions, aiming to cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. She also assembled greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories for Fairfield, Ohio; Worcester, Massachusetts; and George Mason University, Virginia, using ICLEI’s ClearPath tool and Blue Strike’s proprietary CESA tool. Collaborating with the Blue Strike Event Division, she crafted an emissions calculator specially designed for golf events and marathons. Additionally, she designed surveys in R for collecting stakeholder engagement feedback for the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. These surveys featured customized links and mobile versions, and were connected to an online Google Sheet. Utilizing R to enhance data collection further supports our clients in making data-driven decisions and strategic planning in sustainability.

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Manager; Climate & Events

Education:

• Master of Environmental Management, Duke University

• B.A. in Economics, Northwestern University

Cisco is an experienced manager who uses data to maximize the efforts of his team and clients. Leaning on his experience in demand forecasting and ticket price optimization at United Airlines, Cisco works to translate highly technical data into digestible information his clients can use to feel confident about the strategies they develop collaboratively. After transitioning into the climate space, Cisco worked as a sustainability consultant focusing on helping large corporations within the private sector measure all scopes of their emissions, set achievable yet aggressive emission reduction goals, and map the necessary strategies and costs to reach said reduction goals. At Blue Strike, Cisco utilizes his unique perspective to contribute to a variety of climate action plans while also looking to expedite the rate of adoption for sustainability in the sports and events world. Cisco holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Northwestern University and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Cisco resides in Wilmington, NC.

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Analyst; Adaptation Specialist

Business Development Lead; Climate & Energy

Andrea Green, MENV, Climate & Energy Analyst

Education:

• MENV. in Urban Resilience & Sustainability, University of Colorado, Boulder

• B.S. in Environmental Studies & Sustainability, Michigan State University

• A.A. in Liberal Arts & Science, Northwestern Michigan College

Andrea specializes in decarbonization strategy development and social responsibility. She has previously completed projects focusing on stakeholder engagement, outdoor equity, and climate resiliency. She has experience working with a variety of nonprofits and community-based organizations, accomplishing community education and compliance reporting goals. Andrea has experience assisting our clients achieve their carbon neutrality goals through environmental certifications and strategic planning. Her thorough understanding of the certification process has enabled our clients to conduct efficient data collection, yielding powerful insights regarding the improvements and changes necessary to meet their sustainability goals. Andrea has served as the project assistant for the City of Glenwood Springs, CO Energy and Climate Action Plan project. Her role included managing communication with the City, coordinating stakeholder engagement activities, and developing climate action strategies. In partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, Andrea led the effort to earn the Las Vegas Convention Center an Event Industry Council sustainability certification and ISO 20121 certification. Her work with Blue Strike also includes projects for the City of Scranton, PA; Fairfield, OH; and Orange County, NC.

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Analyst; GHG Inventories and Forecasting

Education:

• B.A. Environmental Studies, University of Colorado, Boulder

Sol Shepherd is a Greenhouse Gas and Emission Forecasting Analyst at Blue Strike Environmental. Leveraging a blend of industry-leading tools and expertise, Sol has consistently delivered exceptional results in GHG inventories and emission forecasting for a diverse array of clients. With proficiency in programs such as ICLEI ClearPath, in-house Excel inventory tools, and Blue Strike Environmental's proprietary CESA (Climate and Energy Scenario Analysis) tool, Sol employs a multifaceted approach to provide clients with insights into their carbon footprint and emission trajectories. Having collaborated with clients including Orange County, NC, La Canada, CA, the University of Colorado, Boulder, Davidson, NC, Worcester, MA, San Diego State University, Kennesaw State University, Glenwood Springs, CO, and others, Sol has established a track record of excellence in the field. Sol's dedication to environmental stewardship, coupled with a commitment to innovation, enables clients to navigate complex sustainability challenges with confidence.

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Analyst; Climate & Energy

Education:

• B.S. Biology with a concentration in Marine Science, Duke University

• B.A. Environmental Science and Policy, Duke University

Marley brings a wealth of experience in client engagement, adeptly working with diverse teams and stakeholders. She has a proven track record in grant writing, which has empowered our clients to implement the necessary steps towards achieving their carbon neutrality objectives. Marley is also skilled in report writing, creating clear and compelling narratives that document our clients’ progress in sustainability. Her capacity to build and sustain strong client relationships underscores her vital contribution to their success. During her time at Blue Strike, Marley has played a key role in projects for notable clients such as the Tule River Indian Tribe in California, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, and the City of La Cañada Flintridge, among others.

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Graphic Design and Marketing Lead

Education:

• B.A. Communication Design & Marketing, California State University, Monterey Bay

With over 25 years of design expertise gained from diverse roles in newspapers and magazines, Rose leads public awareness campaigns at Blue Strike, focusing on stakeholder education, engagement, and community buy-in. Her extensive client portfolio across the United States showcases her proficiency in communication plan development, graphic design, and community facilitation. Renowned for her deep-rooted community connections, Rose is a trusted partner to public sector organizations in California and beyond, delivering consistent, measurable results for city-wide projects. Her creativity and leadership shine through effective design concepts and comprehensive communication strategies. Notable highlights include her tenure at the Monterey County Weekly, excelling in print/web ad design, print production, website maintenance, and client marketing, along with collaboration with the Bay Area's MOCHA, underscoring her commitment to arts education through compelling promotional materials for educational programs.

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