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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Energy & Climate 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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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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Director of Event Operations

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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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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Director of Sustainable Programs

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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Strategic Advisor
EPR and Circular Economy

Abbie also has extensive experience developing zero-waste, organics recycling and environmental certification programs for businesses and special events. In the EPR world, Abbie has worked as a California statewide director, grants manager, special projects lead and research consultant in opening new collection opportunities and end markets for post-consumer materials. Working with producers on source reduction and design for recycling/sustainability are also primary components of these programs. Additionally, Abbie has worked for the Product Stewardship Institute in policy and commincations, and led several stakeholder groups tackling waste reduction or restoration priorities.

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Senior Advisor

Eric Veium is an experienced energy engineer and technical strategist with more than 20 years in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. He has worked across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, delivering technically sound, high-impact projects that advance economic, decarbonization, and resilience goals.

Eric has led the development of large-scale renewable energy and distributed energy resource projects, including a 5-megawatt solar farm from feasibility through contract negotiations to operational performance monitoring. He has managed microgrid planning, advanced energy analytics deployments, building automation platforms, and performance optimization programs. His expertise includes ASHRAE Level II audits, lifecycle cost analyses, and GIS-based resource mapping.

A Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Procurement Professional, Eric combines engineering expertise with a Master of Public Policy to connect technical innovation with effective policy. At Blue Strike Environmental, he guides clients toward ambitious energy and climate targets, ensuring clean energy initiatives are both technically robust and economically viable.

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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

Robert Ruiz is a sustainability operations professional with a strong background in service and event operations, bringing a practical, solutions-oriented approach to high-pressure event environments. His experience leading teams in fast-moving hospitality and event settings has shaped his ability to stay organized under pressure, make real-time operational adjustments, and solve problems quickly while keeping teams aligned and focused. Over the past three years, Robert has supported sustainability programs for large-scale special events across California and now works within Blue Strike Environmental’s national division to expand these efforts across the U.S. He supports waste diversion planning, material recovery, vendor coordination, food donation logistics, and on-site sustainability execution.

His value lies in translating sustainability goals into clear, workable systems on the ground. Robert combines strong field execution with team leadership, communication, and adaptability, ensuring programs are not only impactful but also scalable, efficient, and achievable in real-world event conditions. 

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Senior Manager; Energy & Climate

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; Energy & Climate

Andrea Green, MENV, Energy & Climate 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; Energy & Climate

Brittany Mahoney is an Energy Technical Analyst passionate about transforming the energy landscape through data. Her strong foundation, built on a BS in Energy Science and Technology and an MBA, equips her to approach complex challenges with both technical depth and strategic foresight. She is proficient in data visualization and analysis using Python, SQL, and Tableau, consistently delivering clear, impactful insights that foster efficiency and sustainability.

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Business Development Support

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Grace has long been driven by a passion for the natural world and a commitment to understanding the vital connection between people and the environment. This dedication has guided her academic pursuits and professional development, grounding her work in the principles of sustainability, collaboration, and community impact.

At the College of Charleston, Grace served as a Program Manager Intern at the Center for Sustainable Development, where she oversaw the design and implementation of eight sustainable projects, developed policy and procedure documents, and worked closely with stakeholders to advance the campus' Sustainability Action Plan. She also contributed to scientific research in plant genetics and microbial discovery, expanding her understanding of ecological systems and their applications in sustainability. Grace holds a B.S. in Biology & Environmental and Sustainable Studies & Spanish.

Grace is a lifelong athlete and sailor, and sailing has been a central part of her identity both on and off the water. As a member of the Division I Collegiate Sailing Team at CofC, she earned recognition on the All-Academic Team while balancing the demands of rigorous coursework and national-level competition. This experience as a student-athlete not only strengthened her resilience, discipline, and leadership but also shaped her perspective on teamwork and adaptability—qualities that continue to influence her professional and personal pursuits. 

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Director of Marketing and Communications

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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Senior Circular Economy Advisor

Sarah Parlow helps organizations turn circular economy commitments into measurable results, with particular expertise in reuse systems, packaging, foodservice ware, and circular design. Her work applies life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow modeling to quantify environmental impacts, evaluate trade-offs between reusable and single-use systems, and develop defensible data and methodologies to support decision-making.

For Blue Strike Environmental, Sarah contributed to the comparative LCA of the Moda Center’s venue-wide reusable cup program with Bold Reuse. She co-developed an original methodology to reconcile operational and procurement data and establish per-event and per-attendee consumption rates, enabling consistent comparison of reusable and single-use cup systems.

Her broader circular economy work spans multiple sectors. She has evaluated circular packaging and production strategies for consumer brands, developed regenerative production approaches, assessed comparative biodiversity impacts, and designed a circular apparel rental model incorporating reverse logistics, cleaning, and digital tracking. Her experience also includes GRI reporting and SASB materiality assessments.

Sarah is Managing Director of Sustainability at ESGDigital.AI and founder of SPUNJ Sustainability Consulting. 

Education:

M.S. in Sustainability Management, Columbia University
B.A. in Political Science and Government, Barnard College, Columbia University

Transportation and Energy Advisor 

Guillermo Gomez Santana is a product leader and technical strategist with experience across transportation, energy, climate technology, infrastructure, and software. He has developed and commercialized products involving advanced power systems, data-center infrastructure, electric transportation, industrial technology, and energy data platforms.

Guillermo has held product and technical program leadership roles with VEIR, Schneider Electric, J.D. Power, Lyft, Optimus Ride, and Tesla. He also advises startups on product strategy, commercialization, partnerships, and government funding. His consulting work includes supporting Spear the Air’s development of carbon-capture technology for breweries and other fermentation facilities, along with advising emerging companies across carbon management, clean energy, and advanced industrial technologies.

Guillermo holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, and Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. 

Stanford University — MS Management Science & Engineering; BS Mechanical Engineering; BA Political Science