Core Staff
Heidi joined RFF in 2008. In her current position, she works closely with national and regional advocates and foundations working at the nexus of climate and coal. Since joining RFF, Heidi has played a leading role in creating strategic partnerships between funders and advocates interested in helping the nation move beyond a coal-based economy. Prior to joining RFF, Heidi was the executive director of the WestWind Foundation, a family foundation based in Virginia. She currently serves as a board member of the Environmental Grantmakers Association and a co-chair of the Climate and Energy Funders Group.
Kay joined RFF in 2000. She currently oversees the administrative functions for RFF’s daily operations as well as special projects. Previously, she ran the study abroad and other programs at Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, an environmental organization on Long Island where she continues as a board member. In her spare time she fiddles and serves on the board of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra.
Carolyn manages the Fund’s grantmaking activities and provides support to program staff. Prior to joining the Fund, she served as program associate at the Twenty-First Century Foundation. She is a member of the Grant Managers Network, a national affinity group dedicated to promoting best practices in grants management.
Lisa joined RFF in 2002. Prior, she was founder and executive director of a nonprofit strategic communications firm, but most of her career has been spent in government and politics. Lisa was in federal service for all eight years of President Clinton’s administration, serving in a variety of positions at the Interior Department and the White House. These included acting Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs. Lisa also served two years at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She spent eight years working in politics and government in New Jersey, as state communications director of the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign and communications director for the N.J. State Attorney General.
Larry joined RFF in 2000. Prior to RFF, he directed the New York Public Interest Research Group’s (NYPIRG) environmental programs from 1988 through 1999. Among his successes are campaigns to prevent construction of the Brooklyn Navy Yard incinerator; force the shut- down of Fresh Kills, the largest landfill in the world; and urge New York Governor George Pataki to order promulgation of what at the time were the toughest power plant emission standards in the country. Larry currently serves as president of the board of the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP).
Roxanne joined RFF in 2011 as a Program Associate for the Economic Justice for Women program area. She served previously as global policy associate for the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), where she led efforts to ensure that U.S. foreign policies and programs improve the health, rights and well-being of girls and women in developing countries. Prior to joining ICRW, Roxanne worked with the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) and the Women’s Information Network (WIN), organizations that focus on professional and leadership development for girls and women in the United States.
Lee was appointed Director and Secretary of the Rockefeller Family Fund in 1999. Prior to the Family Fund, he worked with the Pew Charitable Trusts. Previously, he was the executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York, one of the nation’s leading state-based environmental organizations. Earlier in his career, Lee served as Assistant Counsel to then-Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Stanley Fink. He also served on the Transition Team of Governor George Pataki. He is a board member of Environmental Advocates, Riverdale Neighborhood House, and a past president of the Environmental Federation of New York. He has repeatedly served in leadership roles with the Environmental Grantmakers Association, the nation’s premier environmental foundation affinity organization.