Staff | Climate Action Reserve

Management

Robin Rix

President

Robin Rix serves as the President of the Climate Action Reserve, having been appointed to the position in March 2025. In this role, Robin leads all aspects of the organization’s work in helping to bring high-integrity carbon credits to markets worldwide.

Robin joined the Reserve from another independent environmental and social crediting program, where he led teams responsible for policy development, market engagement, law, corporate governance, and risk. Previously, he worked at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, where he held progressively responsible roles in intergovernmental negotiations, strategy, and integrity of carbon markets. He also worked as a lawyer in the commodity derivatives team of Clifford Chance LLP, an international law firm, advising on emissions transactions in the primary and secondary emissions markets. He has also held managerial and adjudicative roles in the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Robin is a lawyer qualified in Canada and England & Wales. He holds undergraduate (BA) and law (JD) degrees from the University of Toronto and a graduate degree (MPhil) from the University of Oxford.

Kristen Gorguinpour

Senior Vice President, Technical

As Senior Vice President, Technical for the Climate Action Reserve, Kristen oversees the development and advancement of the Reserve's organizational framework, including its protocols, program rules, and registry. She ensures that the Reserve's activities are in alignment with its strategic direction.

Kristen previously worked at the Reserve for 7 years, serving in several roles including Program Director, where she played a key role in implementing the Reserve’s role as Offset Project Registry in California’s cap-and-trade program. She also served as the Reserve’s Program Manager, where she was the lead in supporting the Forest Project Protocol, and as the Reserve Administrator, Program Associate and Program Assistant. After her time at the Reserve, she pursued another passion to work in the community and taught high school math and physics. Kristen completed her Bachelor’s degree in health science with a concentration in community health and minor in economics at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and has a Master of Public Administration from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific.

Amy Kessler

Vice President, Market
Development

As Vice President of Market Development, Amy leads a global team responsible for strengthening and expanding the organization’s position across voluntary and compliance carbon markets. She guides analysis of market and policy developments and oversees engagement with governments and market actors worldwide to advance the use of high-integrity carbon credits and identify strategic opportunities for the Reserve.

Amy has worked at the Reserve for over 10 years in various roles in support of the development and implementation of carbon crediting protocols, particularly throughout Latin America. Previously she worked in El Salvador, where she supported local communities and government institutions in developing and implementing forest management plans, environmental policies, and sustainable economic opportunities. Amy graduated from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, where she received a Master’s in International Environmental Policy and a Master’s in Business Administration. Amy received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Concentration in Environmental Studies from Kenyon College.

Technical

Holly Davison

Associate Director, Program Operations

As Associate Director of Program Operations, Holly Davison provides support to Reserve account holders during offset project reporting, verification, and registration under the Reserve’s program standards and under the state of California’s compliance offset program. She leads our Industrial Processes and Gases sector team, and as well as provides support to the Waste Handling and Methane Destruction sector team and to the Forest team. Additionally, she maintains the Reserve’s verification accreditation processes.

She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and minors in Earth Sciences and French. She worked in Human Resources at an ecommerce company for six years before pursuing her true passion in climate change. She then received her Master of Arts in Climate and Society from Columbia University. Prior to starting at the Reserve, she interned at the United Nations Development Programme, where she analyzed the extent to which country offices integrated gender equality into their climate change, disaster risk reduction, recovery, and energy programs.

Berenice Filisola

Analyst, Program Operations

As an Analyst under Program Operations, Berenice supports the administration and operation of a growing portfolio of emission reduction and removal projects under its Mexico Forestry Protocol.

Berenice holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a postgraduate specialization in Ecosystem Restoration from the Universidad del Medio Ambiente in Mexico. She has developed her professional experience across both the nonprofit and corporate sectors, with a focus on sustainability and project coordination. In 2018, she co-founded an NGO, where she has led ecosystem restoration and environmental education projects in Mexico City. Her work includes design of nature-based solutions, ecological monitoring (MRV), and community engagement. In parallel, she worked in the insurance sector for three years, where she strengthened her skills in data analysis, strategic planning, and project implementation, leading innovation and digital initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.

Judy Gallegos

Manager, Administration and Registry Operations

As the Manager of Administration and Registry Operations, Judy provides administrative oversight for the Reserve’s reporting and verification program and technical registry support to account holders. She oversees registry operations, account administration, onboarding, billing, and process improvements to help ensure efficient program delivery and a high level of customer service.

Judy brings more than a decade of experience in administration, operations, and customer support, with expertise in project management, process improvement, database administration, and organizational operations. Judy holds a B.A. in International Development Studies with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature from UCLA.

Abbey Garcia

Manager, Program Operations

As Manager of Program Operations, Abbey supports the operation and administration of the Climate Action Reserve’s carbon credit programs and contributes to policy development, maintenance, and refinement of the Reserve’s offset protocols.

Before starting at the Reserve, Abbey studied at Michigan State University pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability with a minor in Spanish. During her time as a student, Abbey participated in an education abroad program in Costa Rica where she studied ecotourism and business and volunteered at a sustainable coffee farm. She also studied Spanish language and held a translation internship in Valencia, Spain and later returned the following year where she lived in Seville, Spain studying environmental science at Pablo de Olavide University.

Miguel López Delgado

Manager, Protocol Development

Miguel is the Manager, Protocol Development at the Climate Action Reserve, where he supports the development and growth of nature-based carbon offset protocols with a focus on the Reserve’s work in LATAM. He also supports the operation and administration of the Climate Action Reserve Program.

Prior to joining the Reserve, Miguel worked in the carbon markets space as lead analyst of climate assets, technical lead assessing carbon projects in early stages, and verifier of international forestry and Blue C projects. He has also worked on climate change adaptation, developing carbon footprint assessment and decarbonization strategies for the corporate sector, as well as project developer of social afforestation and reforestation projects for private and public initiatives in countries such as Colombia, India or Madagascar.

Miguel is from Ávila in Spain, he completed his B.Sc. & M.Sc. degrees in Forestry and Natural Resources Management as well as a B.Sc. degree in International Cooperation for Development in Madrid at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

Celeste Melendez

Senior Associate, Program Operations

Celeste comes to the Reserve with over 7 years of experience in environmental policy, energy, and climate change finance in the public and private sectors. While currently living in Irvine, CA, Celeste has worked on different projects in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and California, she has a Master of Science in Environmental Management, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, also certifications in Project Management and International Business from UC Irvine. Her experience includes an essential role working as an advisor with El Salvador Government, representing the country at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) and participating in the development NDCs, Policies, Forest management projects, and development of international cooperation projects; In addition, she has worked on several projects across California, by providing green building certifications (LEED, Energy Star, Green Point Rater). Her hobbies include dancing ballet and hiking at many National Parks. Her passion for the environment started in 2010 when she volunteered for a marine life project in Central America where she contributed to protecting the Carey turtles.

Rachel Mooney

Manager, Protocol Development

As the Manager, Protocol Development, Rachel supports the administration and operation of the Climate Action Reserve’s carbon credit programs, as well as contribute to policy work such as the development, maintenance, and refinement of offset protocols undertaken by the Analytical Team.

Before starting at the Reserve, Rachel attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and minor in Environment, Society, and Culture in 2019. She worked with Dr. Patricia Cleary in atmospheric chemistry research and worked with Dr. James Phillips in performing physical and inorganic chemistry research. Rachel was also actively involved in the University’s Student Office of Sustainability, which focused on educating the student body on proper waste management and allocating student segregated fees for sustainable actions on campus. In June 2021 Rachel graduated from Oregon State University with a Master of Public Policy and Energy Policy Graduate Certificate. Her thesis evaluated the public perception of natural gas export in Oregon and her graduate certificate capstone analyzed the relationship between experience in the 2020 Oregon wildfire season and support for federal climate mitigation policies. Rachel also was an intern at Quantum Spatial, Inc (now a part of NV5) classifying irrigation status in California water districts.

Alison Nord

Manager, Program Operations

As Manager of Program Operations, Alison supports the administration and operation of the Climate Action Reserve’s carbon credit programs as well as policy work through the development, maintenance, and refinement of offset protocols. She supports the Reserve across multiple sectors, with a particular focus on the agriculture and waste sectors.

Before joining the Reserve, Alison spent 8 years working in sustainable agriculture research, from identifying sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder farming systems in Sub-Saharan Africa to investigating crop productivity and soil nutrient cycling in perennial agricultural systems. Most recently she was a research fellow at the University of Michigan where she led a field trial measuring the effects of intercropping perennial legumes with perennial wheat to crop productivity and soil health. Her PhD research at Michigan State University focused on maize-legume cropping systems in Tanzania at different scales, employing an interdisciplinary approach to evaluating legume production through integration of field trials, on-farm assessments, and extension systems. She is also a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, where she served in Tanzania as a sustainable agriculture extension agent.

Alison holds a PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University as well as a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont.

Jon Remucal

Director, Protocol Development

As the Director, Protocol Development, Jon works on various efforts at the Reserve to recognize how natural and working lands can contribute to addressing the climate crisis. Much of his focus is on developing and improving the Reserve’s protocols and forecast methodologies centered on nature-based solutions, ranging from forestry to soil enrichment to biochar. He also develops and maintains technical tools that support the monitoring, reporting, and verification required of carbon projects.

Jon has been working on forest carbon offset projects and policies since 2003, providing him with a deep understanding of the forest protocol and the behind-the-scenes operations of forest carbon projects. Prior to joining the Reserve, he was a private consultant, with a focus on climate change mitigation policies and projects, as well as watershed health. Jon also previously worked at the Pacific Forest Trust, where he stewarded conservation easements and fee title lands held by the organization and performed geospatial analysis for conservation planning. He earned a Master of Environmental Management degree from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, where his focus was ecosystem management. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Concentration in Environmental Studies from Carleton College.

Daphne Prodis

Analyst, Program Operations

As an Analyst under Program Operations, Daphne supports the administration and operation of the Climate Action Reserve's carbon credit programs for both voluntary and compliance markets, with particular focus on US forestry and agriculture sectors.

Prior to joining the Reserve, Daphne worked as the stories fellow for Project Drawdown, crafting resources for science-based and human-centered climate solutions. She also brings experience working as an agricultural biologist intern for Santa Clara County's Division of Agriculture, as well as a guest experience ambassador at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She holds a Master of Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, specializing in Business & Sustainability with foci in strategic communication and innovation. During that time, she also served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate students and holds a BA in Environmental Studies from UCSB.

Jocelyn Urias

Senior Associate, Program Operations

As Senior Associate, Program Operations, Jocelyn Urias supports the operations and administration of the Climate Action Reserve’s carbon credit programs and contributes to policy development, maintenance, and refinement of offset protocols.

Before starting at the Reserve, Jocelyn attended California State Polytechnic University Pomona, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology with a minor in Political Science in 2023. During her time as a student, she was an Ecotoxicology Research Assistant where she investigated toxic lead exposure of turkey vultures by performing molecular biology techniques, statistical analysis, and project administrative tasks. Additionally, she was a Wildlife Conservation and Education Research Assistant where she helped investigate wildlife activity in the San Gabriel Valley and biology education techniques used in non-biology major courses. Jocelyn also participated in Coral Reef Research in Hawaii, where she had the opportunity to spend time in Hawaii snorkeling and surveying the health of coral reefs.

Market Development

Claudia Jurado

Senior Associate, Market Development (LAC)

As the Senior Associate (LAC), Market Development at the Climate Action Reserve, Claudia supports the operation and administration of the organization’s carbon credit programs. She contributes to the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Reserve’s offset protocols and plays an active role in advancing the Reserve’s presence and stakeholder engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Claudia has a diverse background in the carbon market, with experience in the public sector, including roles at the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, as well as serving as a consultant for the German Agency for International Cooperation. She has also worked as a commercial analyst at the BMV, advising the private sector on decarbonization strategies and playing a key role in developing carbon pricing policies for jurisdictions across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Chile.

Claudia graduated from the University of Waterloo, ON, Canada with an M.Sc. in Social and Ecological Sustainability and received her Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs with a minor in Climate Policy from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She was also an intern at the University of British Columbia, BC, Canada. Proudly Mexican, she is committed to leveraging her expertise to foster more resilient communities in developing countries facing climate change. Her professional interests focus on carbon markets, GHG policy, nature-based solutions (NbS), bioenergy, and international environmental policy.

Rhey Lee

Senior Manager, Communications

As Senior Manager, Communications, Rhey works on communications pieces and marketing strategies for the Climate Action Reserve. She manages the Climate Action Reserve’s monthly newsletter and other listserv communications. She works with designers to develop and strengthen communications materials, including the collateral pieces, brochures, annual reports and certificates. Rhey contributes to the media and marketing strategy of the organization, and shares responsibility for drafting press releases, website content, and social marketing updates. Previously, she worked for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Komal Sinha

Regional Head, Market Development (Asia)

As the Regional Head (Asia), Komal leads the engagement with governments and a range of market participants to advance the Reserve’s strategic policy, partnerships and engagements across the Asia-Pacific region.

Komal brings over 16 years of experience in advancing high-integrity carbon crediting and other environmental programs across the Global South. She most recently served as Senior Director, Government and Policy Engagement –Asia Pacific at another carbon credit registry, where she led the regional strategy to integrate the voluntary standard with national compliance programs and Article 6 frameworks across Asia Pacific. Prior to this role, Komal served as Global Director of Sustainability for rePurpose Global, Inc. and Head of Partnerships at ClimateCare Limited.

Komal is based in India.

McKenzie Smith

Associate Director, Market Development (US and Canada)

As the Associate Director of Market Development (US and Canada) at the Climate Action Reserve, McKenzie is responsible for engagement with governments and key stakeholders to expand the organization’s position and partnerships in the United States and Canada. As a part of this work, McKenzie also oversees the Reserve’s strategic assessment of protocol opportunities to determine and plan new developments. Previously working in various technical roles at the Reserve, McKenzie has first-hand experience leading new protocol developments and technical work programs. McKenzie continues to serve as the implementation lead for the Reserve’s Soil Enrichment Protocol where she strives to evolve and expand agricultural carbon offset protocols to meet rising demands in the sector.

Prior to joining the Climate Action Reserve, McKenzie worked as Director of Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs at Fertilizer Canada where she was responsible for policy and programs related to sustainable nutrient management and low-carbon industrial processes. McKenzie is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada which is where she completed her B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Chemistry.

McKenzie is based in San Jose, California.