When state and federal agencies look for a reliable resource to gather and disseminate information, and to keep the lines of communication open, Jonathan invariably is at the top of the list. He has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to bring the public and agencies together to solve problems and make solid decisions. Jonathan thrives on complex, high-stakes negotiations, especially in the areas of natural resources and transportation. Off the clock, Jonathan relaxes by playing the cello and by running the numerous paths surrounding his mountain home.
Jeffrey helps projects with diverse stakeholders work better. He does this by providing facilitation and project management on projects’ strategy, communication, and implementation. He believes that by taking relationships into account, using creative problem solving, and seeking mutual gains solutions, projects are more successful and stakeholders are more satisfied.
Jeffrey has nearly a decade of experience internationally and in the U.S. He’s worked with government agencies, NGO’s, and companies in areas including land use, development, environmental sustainability, and organizational effectiveness.
Abby is a seasoned climate resilience social scientist with an abundance of experience in leading locally-led climate resilience initiatives. Before joining the CDR team, Abby worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 18 years—first in the Office of Water and later in the Office of Climate Adaptation and Sustainability. She led a partnership between EPA and FEMA, developed national resilience frameworks, and helped communities from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast implement climate solutions. With expertise in disaster recovery, green infrastructure, and community engagement, Abby has significantly advanced climate resilience policy and practice across the United States.
Abby grew up in rural Oklahoma and earned a master’s degree in anthropology from Stanford University with a focus on land use and environmental policy. Abby is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is the Chair of Mt. Hood Cherokees, an at-large community. Outside of work, she has three kids and a big extended family that keep her busy with baking projects, mountain and river adventures, and board games.
Abby is based in Oregon and leads CDR’s West Coast office.
Melissa is an engaging and dynamic facilitator, focusing on relationship building, community outreach, and collaborative decision-making. Melissa is particularly keen on designing innovative and unique community engagement spaces, where inclusivity, transparency, and access are underlying values of the process. Melissa designs and implements engagement strategies in a range of urban and rural communities, including identifying and engaging key stakeholders, facilitating difficult and potentially contentious conversations, strategizing online outreach to increase public participation, and analyzing public engagement data, both quantitative and qualitative, to assist decision-makers in their planning processes. She is particularly adept at bridging the gap between bureaucratic processes and public participation, creating ways for agencies to communicate with stakeholders through effective channels. Melissa has worked with a number of federal and state agencies convening working groups, facilitating stakeholder outreach, and building consensus around public land management and environmental issues.
Melissa holds an MA in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Prior to moving to Colorado, Melissa attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate and remains a loyal Georgia Bulldog during football season each year.
Christy is an office guru, who knows all. While she has a BA in English Creative Writing, she has been working with small business bookkeeping from the time she was about 10 years old, helping her parents prepare their expense reports at the kitchen table. Starting at a young age with a yard stick, Green Bar paper, and a 10-key, Christy has evolved her skills to advanced spreadsheets and accounting software. She appreciates the passion of small businesses, start-ups, and non-profits and has kept her focus and expertise dialed in. From HR, billing, AP/AR, and general office management she has done all kinds of office work and has honed her skills to support organizations like CDR.
If she is OOO, she is likely snowboarding, traveling, or running her local poetry/writing program, where she has volunteered since 2015.
Daniel is a facilitator and stakeholder engagement specialist who focuses on building relationships through collaborative problem solving. He has experience facilitating complex projects across a variety of fields, including transportation, land management, and water resources. As a trainer and consultant, Daniel helps organizations build capacity to better manage conflict, conduct community outreach, and communicate effectively. He believes that organizations thrive when members and stakeholders understand each other’s interests, develop shared goals, and are empowered to engage in results-focused discussion.
Outside of work, you will likely find Daniel atop one of Colorado’s many mountain peaks (preferably with skis strapped to his feet) or front and center at one of Denver’s many performing arts venues.
Laura is a trained scientist with a passion for graphic communication, stakeholder engagement, and natural resource management. In May 2022, she completed a Master of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and, prior to her graduate work, earned dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies from the same institution. This background makes Laura a go-to resource for information on a breadth of topics ranging from ecosystem ecology to environmental law to geographic information systems (GIS). Additionally, Laura is skilled in team-building, coordination, and instruction—drawing from experience across a variety of organizations, including the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps. Laura’s subject matter expertise—combined with her empathetic nature—brings an approach to CDR’s work that prioritizes communal understanding of even the most complex topics through transparency, thoughtful data visualization, and inclusivity. Outside of the office, you can find her soaking up the Colorado sunshine across hiking trails, ski slopes, and climbing crags.
Patrick explores his interests in public space, mobility, and urban development as he supports CDR’s transportation and planning practice areas. Empathy and curiosity are central to his engagement with communities and clients, as is a systems-focused approach to problem-solving. He comes to CDR with a background in environmental sustainability and urban policy research and remains eager to facilitate solutions around these types of complex topics. Patrick excels at graphic communication and serves an important role in strengthening CDR’s engagement materials.
Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020, where he was awarded the Urban Leadership Fellowship by the Penn Institute for Urban Research. Originally from New York’s Long Island, Patrick enjoys spending his free time hiking Colorado’s mountains and slowly working his way through knitting patterns.
Audrey combines her passions for continuous learning and the complexities of human dimensions of natural resources to bring a curious, creative, and empathetic perspective to CDR’s facilitation and dispute resolution strategies. Audrey completed a Masters of Environmental Leadership (M.S.) from Colorado State University’s Conservation Leadership Through Learning (CLTL) program and earned a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition Science from the University of Georgia (go dawgs!). During graduate school, Audrey worked as the Communications Coordinator for CSU’s Center for Collaborative Conservation. Prior to moving to Colorado, Audrey coordinated and led an environmental education and Native stewardship program (Alaskan Youth Stewards) and assisted in research on Alaska Native cultural significance of cedar and policy in rural southeast Alaska. Audrey is especially interested in biocultural conservation, advocacy of Native and Indigenous resources/land rights, and learning about the ways culture and language influence perceptions of nature.
In her free time, you can find Audrey exploring Colorado’s mountains, cuddling with her cat Canyon deep in a good book, doing yoga, or salsa dancing!
Anderson Cole is a skilled facilitator and strategic planner who harnesses a unique mix of scientific, social, and professional research expertise, along with community engagement, to deliver meaningful results at CDR. With a Master’s degree specializing in Sustainability (MENV) from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor’s in Geology (B.A.) from Carleton College, Anderson’s academic background underpins his proficiency in community economic development and stakeholder collaboration. He has successfully coordinated a range of community-led initiatives, transforming complex data into actionable, sustainable strategies that benefit organizations, governments, and communities. He is particularly passionate about projects that prioritize sustainability, equity, and resilience — values that align with his commitment to building healthy, thriving communities.
Outside of work, Anderson enjoys immersing himself in the natural beauty of his home state, Colorado, through hiking, skiing, biking, and overcoming the challenges of learning to fly fish.
