We are a collaboration of local government, businesses, and residents helping Menlo Park
become climate neutral

JOSH BECKER

Chief Executive Officer, Lex Machina
Founder and Chairman of The Full Circle Fund

Josh Becker is a recognized clean energy business and policy leader. As Founder of New Cycle Capital, Josh was a seed investor in cutting-edge companies such as: OPOWER, Renew Financial, People Power, and TerraPass. He started his career at ICF International, a DC-based environmental consulting and engineering firm. There he helped launch the first Clean Air Marketplace conference back in 1992 and consulted on energy strategy for companies like General Electric. Josh co-founded IntraACTIVE a pioneering groupware company in 1994 and was also one of the first employees at EarthWeb/Dice (NYSE:DHX), which went public in 1998. After joint degrees from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford Law School, Becker joined Brentwood Venture Capital and then joined Brentwood’s technology partners in founding Redpoint Ventures. Josh was a long time Board Member of the Clean Tech Open. Becker Founded The Full Circle Fund in 2000, and remains on the Board. He also is project lead for the group’s Energy and Environment Circle.  www.fullcirclefund.org,

SUSAN BELL, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Principal, Susan Bell and Associates

Susan Bell provides strategic counsel to private philanthropies and nonprofit organizations to address environmental and social issues. She is also Managing Director of the Water Funder Initiative, a collaborative effort to activate promising water solutions through strategic philanthropic investments in the U.S., starting in the West. Susan served as Vice President of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for over twelve years. Her career includes work in strategic planning, development, and communications at Stanford University, the Sierra Club, and Northwestern University. Susan is vice chair of the National Audubon Society, board member of the McCall MacBain Foundation, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Water Foundation.

MICHAEL CLOSSON
Principal, Local Climate Solutions
Retired Executive Director, Acterra

Michael Closson is an environmental consultant who lives in Menlo Park, CA, with past clients including the Sierra Club, and current work with the Center for Climate Protection. Michael is also Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Peninsula Clean Energy. His previous professional experience includes: Executive Director of Acterra: Action for a Sustainable Earth in Palo Alto, CA (2003-2013), Executive Director of Biodiversity Northwest in Seattle, WA (2000-2003), Programs Director for the Earth Day Network in Seattle, WA (1998-2000), Executive Director of the Center for Economic Conversion in Mountain View, CA (1983-1998), Co-Director of New Ways to Work in Palo Alto, CA (1976-1982), and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Stanford University in Stanford, CA (1972-1976). He holds a Ph.D. (Sociology) and a M.A. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Middlebury College.

CHRIS DECARDY, VICE-CHAIR
Vice President and Director of Programs, David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Former Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commissioner

Chris DeCardy recently completed two terms on the Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission, where he focused on climate change and water management issues. He has been active in his community since moving to Menlo Park in 2003. He has worked on climate change issues throughout his professional career in running an environmental policy and advocacy non-profit in Washington, DC and currently as Vice President and Director of Programs at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

BRENT HARRIS

Director, Head of Governance, Facebook

Brent helped author the Redstone Strategies Report for Menlo Spark.  In the process, he became a major supporter of Menlo Spark, donating significant personal time.  After moving to the Willows neighborhood of Menlo Park with his wife and two dogs, he joined our Advisory Board. Before joining Facebook, Brent led the California office of Redstone Strategy Group, where he provided guidance on strategy and policy advocacy to several of the nation’s leading foundations and philanthropists. Brent was also the vice president for operations at ClimateWorks Foundation. Prior to ClimateWorks, Brent served as counsel to the Presidential Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Earlier in his career, he was a fellow at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

MATT JAMES

Senior Counselor at GMMB

Matt James is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of leadership, deal-making and project management for high-level for-profit and non-profit organizations. Responsible for many high-impact communications and media projects, highly effective fundraiser, and known for high-leverage partnerships. Founder of successful non-profit and for-profit organizations and initiatives, experienced board member, published author and public speaker.

As co-founder of Next Generation, Matt oversaw a team of professionals who promoted solutions to two of the biggest challenges confronting the next generation of Americans: the risk of dangerous climate change, and the threat of diminished prospects for children and families. Prior to co-founding Next Generation, Matt was an integral part of the Menlo Park-based Kaiser Family Foundation’s leadership team for 20 years.

KRISTIN KUNTZ-DURISETI

Former Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commissioner

Kristin is transitioning to a new career as a math and science teacher to prepare our youth to apply their talents and passions to address complex problems, like climate change. Previously, Kristin was Managing Editor of Climatic Change, an international journal publishing interdisciplinary research on the description, causes, and implications of climate change. A former Environmental Quality Commissioner for Menlo Park, she has served as Chair and as the commission representative to the Menlo Park General Plan Advisory Committee. As a consultant on municipal energy policy, Kristin has contributed to the development of the Peninsula Advanced Energy Community (PAEC), which showcases the benefits of advanced energy policies and projects promoting renewable energy and a shift to a low carbon future. Kristin has a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from Stanford University.

JUAN SALAZAR

Director of Local Policy and Community Engagement, Facebook

Juan travels around the country to provide state and local government officials with tips and best practices on how to use Facebook to communicate more effectively with the public. Juan also works with the Facebook Diversity Team to encourage women and people of color into careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Prior to joining Facebook, Juan was a Program Manager for Growth Sector, Inc. where he developed education/workforce development pathway programs across various California community colleges. Juan focused on increasing the participation, support, and success of Latinx and African American students in the field of Engineering and STEM education.

MITCH SLOMIAK, CHAIR
Former Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commissioner (2007-2015)
Consulting Chief Financial Officer

Mitch Slomiak was a founding leader and long-time Co-Chair of Menlo Park’s Green Ribbon Citizens’ Committee in 2007, supporting the research and creation of a substantial set of climate action recommendations to the City Council that involved over 130 participants. Mitch also served on Menlo Park’s Environmental Quality Commission from 2008 to 2015, including two terms as Chairman, with primary focus on developing and supporting the city’s Climate Action Plan. In his professional career, Mitch was CFO for two emerging companies and has served as a Consulting CFO for numerous growth companies over the past 18 years, including several cleantech startups. Mitch also recently served as President of the Board of Directors for the Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto.