We are a dynamic and curious team of innovators, executors that takes can move projects from idea to reality. *Denotes working on Transforming the Farmer to Consumer Supply Chain project.
Blake Atkerson* (LinkedIn) has a decade of experience in the water legal, policy, and regulatory space. He received his Juris Doctorate from U.C. Hastings College of the Law and an LL.M. in Water Law and Policy from McGeorge School of Law. Blake provided legal counsel to Native American tribes and low-income individuals, and regulatory compliance and data analysis support for government entities. Currently he is focused on analyzing water mitigation solutions for the agricultural sector and building data systems for water security analysis. He is a proud father and husband who is passionate about translating complexities into actionable narratives.
Laura Demetrion* Operations Lead, (LinkedIn) brings 7 years of experience in motivating and organizing research coalitions to address energy and emissions challenges. As a former consultant supporting the Dept. Of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, Laura acted as the central node of support for the agency’s SMARTFARM program where she played a leading role in program formation, portfolio planning, project management, and team coordination. As Operations Lead at Carbon A List, Laura will direct the establishment, assessment, and improvement of grant operations. Laura holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Chatham University and an MBA from Duquesne University.
Nicholas Goeser PhD*, Principal, (LinkedIn) is an agricultural sustainability change agent with organizational leadership, sustainability strategy development and research experience in the areas of crop production, nutrient cycling and management, and environmental quality. Nick has served as CEO for the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. Nick has held Vice President roles for the National Corn Growers Association and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance focusing on agricultural productivity, water quality, soil health, climate change and broader agricultural sustainability. He was the first Director of The Soil Health Partnership, a Technology Development Representative with Monsanto and Agronomic Research Manager on a commercial farm bringing over a decade of research and education in the areas of crop production, nutrient cycling and management, and environmental quality. He completed a MS in Agronomy and PhD in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin. His doctoral research focused on the evaluation of crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and nutrient cycling.
Katie Howard (LinkedIn) is an organizer, relationship builder, analyzer, and promoter of change. She has served as Senior Data Analyst for Land O’Lakes/WinField United supporting the AnswerPlot program and also held academic and Extension positions in the field of horticulture and sustainability. Originally from rural northeastern Wisconsin, she received her Bachelors in International Agriculture and Natural resources and Masters of Science in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Katie is currently a part-time intellectual property data manager for a fruit breeding company located in the Netherlands and has been consulting in the sustainability field for the last several years. Her passion lies in connecting people and supporting them to reach their goals, whether small or large, simple or complex.
Christophe Jospe*, President, Founder (LinkedIn) is an innovator in carbon accounting and carbon market design. His work bridges the gap between science, technology, policy, and business opportunities to realize the potential of activities that can reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere. In 2014, he moved from Columbia University, to co-found the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University as chief strategist. In 2017, he co-founded Nori, a start-up that launched a carbon removal marketplace initially to help US food and fiber producers monetize the incremental soil organic carbon stock changes from adopting practices to draw carbon out of the atmosphere. He left Nori in the beginning of January 2021 to focus his efforts on building Carbon A List, expanding the breadth of his focus beyond carbon credits, and leverage his knowledge and expertise to contribute to a more holistic approach to advance
Laurie Muzzy, Analyst, (LinkedIn) was prompted by her first compost pile to study soil and all the life in it. Her work has encompassed viticultural soil surveys to state-level livestock policy, as well as forest and wetland restoration. With experience delivering science-based support to projects in government, private industry, and nonprofits, she is a collaborator, alliance-builder and all-around carbon removal cheerleader. She focuses on bridging the gap between knowing how to solve problems and actually doing it. Originally from coastal California, she lives in Durham, North Carolina, where her family plays in the local forests and creeks.
Hope Sims*, Program Coordinator (LinkedIn) graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in economics and a minor in sustainability. Her studies consisted of regulation, policy, and market analysis; sustainability assessment and implementation, as well as climate and environmental science. She is a sustainability advocate who aspires to continue learning about the best ways to implement and encourage considerations for the triple bottom line. Hope worked on a non-profit farm in Southern California that utilized ancient Jewish and sustainable farming practices that promote soil health, water retention, and biodiversity. While working on the farm she gained an understanding of low-till farming, livestock and crop integration, drip irrigation, methods to reduce soil erosion, and integrated pest management. Hope uses her knowledge and experience in these areas to support the Carbon A List team as an analyst. Hope loves to be surrounded by nature and plans to visit as many national and international parks as she can.
Katherine Staiger*, Partnership Lead (LinkedIn) comes from a seventh-generation dairy farming family which instilled in her a passion for agriculture and a strong desire to support farms and optimize their success. Throughout her career, Katherine has held a variety of positions each allowing her to work with a diversified portfolio of farms. Katherine joins Carbon A List from Danone North America, where she worked as a Project Manager on the Agriculture team. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Agriculture Education Teaching Certification. As Partnership Lead, Katherine will be responsible for fostering external relationships with partners and engaging farmer grant awardees.
Jacqueline Sussman*, Communications Coordinator (LinkedIn) is a storyteller who seeks to bridge creative gaps and increase understanding and support for nature-based climate solutions. For over a decade, she has collaborated with environmental partners in the fields of sustainability, carbon offsets, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and more to meaningfully engage with and build their digital communities. She is particularly inspired by the potential of community-centered agriculture to bolster local economies, regenerate soils, increase food security, and empower those who are disproportionately impacted by structural inequities and climate change. Jac has a BA in Environmental Analysis and Policy from Boston University, a MSc in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, and a professional certificate in Content Strategy from the University of Washington. Offline, you can often find Jac trail running, biking, kayaking, camping, farming, reading, and cooking around the mountains and waters of Washington state.