Our Team
Chad Frischmann
Chad is an action-orientated leader, researcher, speaker, and coalition-builder. He is the CEO and Founder of Regenerative Intelligence (RegenIntel), a global advisory and education platform superpowered by a network of world class system thinkers and doers creating a virtuous cycle of collaborative intelligence. He is also the Founder and Board Chair of the Global Solutions Alliance an international non-profit organization committed to creating a regenerative future.
He was the co-creator of Project Drawdown, one of the world’s leading resources for climate solutions, the architect of the Drawdown Solutions Framework, co-author of the book Drawdown: the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming, and led over 100 researchers evaluating the most impactful climate solutions.
Chad’s background includes over 16 years of collaboration with Indigenous communities, as well as academic and professional work focused on bridging Indigenous perspectives with modern scientific approaches. His master’s thesis at the University of California at Berkeley explored incorporating Indigenous concepts of well-being into modern Monitoring and Evaluation strategies, which was adopted by international development agencies working with Indigenous Peoples. Chad’s research at UNESCO’s Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) program also highlighted the importance of integrating Indigenous wisdom with contemporary science, particularly in regions like the Sahel.
David Karabelnikoff
David Karabelnikoff an associate member of the Knik Tribe of Alaska. David is a descendant of the Unangan and Dena’ina people, and his commitment to environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in indigenous perspectives. David is a dedicated advocate for sustainable energy solutions and environmental stewardship. He actively integrates these perspectives into discussions about renewable energy, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern technologies. David is passionate about empowering Native communities to lead the transition to clean energy. David’s commitment extends beyond his professional endeavors; it reflects a profound belief in the interconnectedness of all life and a dedication to shaping a more sustainable and regenerative world.
Kat Taylor
Kirsten (Kat) Taylor is a community-oriented climate solutionist and systems thinker. Her passion for solutions stems from their potential to transform society and our relationships with each other and the planet. Kat’s journey to become a solutionist began with her Undergraduate degrees in Chemical Biology (BA) and Environmental Studies (BA) at Case Western Reserve University. She further developed her knowledge as a 2019 Penn State Drawdown Scholar where she did sociological research into assumptions underpinning a Women in Regenerative Smallholder agriculture climate solution. At present, she is deepening her understanding of community-driven implementation of solutions through her Master’s of Environmental Management with a concentration in Environmental Economics and Policy and a certificate in Community Based Environmental Management at Duke University.
Cassandra Montaudon
Cassandra Montaudon is a Regenerative Systems thinker and Indigenous Culture Advocate. Her work involves impact events such as fundraisers, international summits, and gatherings that work to fuse the gaps in cultural tensions, share in global ecological perspectives and provide opportunity for long lasting impact in local areas.
As a regenerative designer each event and land management project she has worked on involves a multitude of experts and elders to ensure a holistic approach to creating a new cultural paradigm. She has worked with Indigenous elder women in Costa Rica for a gathering to have their voices amplified and received. She has fundraised for land purchase for sovereignty for Boruca elder in Costa Rica. In Mexico she has curated a regenerative summit that brings indigenous wisdom to the table with regenerative experts. Cassandra is in service to the space between that allows cultures to merge and learn from one another. As a curator of intercultural exchange she strives to build the edges where social diversity can thrive.
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn is a distinguished advocate for Indigenous rights and climate justice, proudly affiliated with the Ngāti Kurī and Te Rarawa Māori peoples of Aotearoa (New Zealand). With a Master of Laws from Victoria University, Wellington, and two prestigious UN Indigenous Fellowships, Catherine has dedicated much of her life to championing human rights, including environmental, social, economic, and climate justice, both in Aotearoa and on the global stage.
Her career began as a policy analyst for the New Zealand Government before she transitioned into the legal sector and later focused on Māori-Crown negotiations. Catherine played a pivotal role as Project Manager for Te Rarawa's Historical Treaty Claims settlement negotiations (2000-2010) and served as a Negotiator for Ngāti Kurī (2008-2015). She has represented her peoples in various UN forums, including serving as Co-Chair of the Pacific Caucus for the 2014 UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.
Catherine is a founding member of several social justice and environmental groups, including Te Waka Hourua, Climate Change Tai Tokerau Northland Trust, and the Pacific Indigenous Women’s Network. She continues to lend her expertise in research, policy writing, and public speaking. Recently, Catherine has focused on spiritual activism, working with Wombs of Peace and other Indigenous networks to promote healing for people and the planet.