A former wildlife biologist with an MS in wildlife ecology, Kathleen spent more than a decade working with federally listed threatened and endangered species in the Texas Hill Country, from the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo to rare cave-dwelling invertebrates found only in Central Texas. Her work spanned field research, environmental policy writing, and habitat conservation planning — experience that taught her how science, community, and smart policy have to work together to protect the places we love.

Bruce LeClaire is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He was born and raised in South Dakota and moved to Durango in 1982, where he graduated from high school. Bruce served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. He then attended Ft. Lewis College, where he met his wife, Mary. They raised their four children in Durango and now have five grandchildren. Bruce has worked with Native American Youth for 35+ years. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. He enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, traveling, dancing at powwows, and spending time with his grandchildren.

While fairly new to La Plata County, Kelsey has lived in the greater Southwest since 2010. She works full-time for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, doing climate adaptation and mitigation planning on a national level. Kelsey has also been an educator since 2015 and currently teaches in the Environment and Sustainability Program at Fort Lewis College and for the Wild Rockies Field Institute. Kelsey has a background in renewable energy systems, social justice, democratic teaching methodologies, sustainability, and Indigenous climate adaptation work.

In her free time, she enjoys being outside, most often hiking, cross-country skiing, or taking a nice forest stroll with her pup. As a new member, Kelsey is excited to further her passion for climate justice issues and striving for cleaner energy solutions and economics in La Plata County.

Teresa Malone is a fan of clean and active transportation and enjoys bringing her nonprofit financial acumen to support the mission of Four Core. 

Teresa works in land conservation and has a degree in environmental studies. She loves the trails and landscapes throughout the southwest region.

Lindsay – originally from the East Coast – has lovingly called Durango home since 2016. She began her career at a climate change research & education non-profit and has since moved on to renewable energy. Currently, she is the Business Operations Manager for the local solar and energy storage expert, Shaw Solar. Lindsay is excited to bring her life-long passion for sustainability to the 4CORE Board. In her free time, she can be found on her mountain bike, up at Purg, or out pushing the limits on where her Prius can go.

Becca Robison is a Colorado girl raised on mountain air, cold rivers, and the smell of pine needles.  She was very excited to bring her family back to the mountains when they moved to Durango eight years ago.  She can frequently be found out trail running or mountain biking with her children and their dog, Chippie.  She has a BA in English Education and a JD with an emphasis in environmental law and sustainability.  She has worked with the Sierra Club, Trust for Public Land and the Minnesota legislature in days past and is currently finishing an LL.M in Indigenous People’s Law and Policy.  This last year, she taught as an adjunct professor at Fort Lewis College, currently serves with the Southwest Colorado Bar Association, and loves bridging the gap between education and real-world solutions to build communities that value and protect the environment. 

Melanie is an experienced operations and governance professional with a diverse background spanning nonprofit leadership, corporate governance, large-scale event management, and risk management. She currently serves as Corporate Secretary and Executive Assistant at First Southwest Bank in Durango, Colorado, where she supports the Board of Directors and executive leadership in fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities, maintaining regulatory compliance, and advancing strategic planning initiatives. 

Melanie brings a strong foundation in nonprofit and community-focused leadership, having previously served as Executive Director for Economic Development and Recovery for the San Juan Development Association. She holds a Master of Sport and Recreation Management and a Bachelor of Parks and Recreation Management from Lincoln University in New Zealand. 

Melanie loves spending time in her garden, snowboarding, biking, and hanging out with her husband Mitch and their cat. She wishes she had more cats.