Courtney Kudera

Research Associate

Courtney joined Ross Strategic in 2024, bringing expertise in water resources, climate-smart agriculture practices, watershed management, land conservation, and conservation finance. Courtney is passionate about finding collaborative resolutions with multiple stakeholders, providing innovative solutions to wicked problems, and pulls her unique expertise for a well-rounded approach. She is most excited to dedicate her career to finding climate-focused solutions for unsustainable and inequitable practices.

Courtney graduated from Middlebury Institute of International Studies with a master's in international environmental policy focused on natural resources policy and management. While at Middlebury, she had the privilege of working with organizations like The Nature Conservancy, Carmel River Watershed Conservancy, and the City of Monterey. Additionally, she served as a Consultant at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization at their Latin America and Caribbean office in Santiago, Chile. At the UNFAO, Courtney analyzed strategic alternatives for climate-smart agriculture production in the region. This project provided alternatives that were considered climate-smart, accessible, nutritious, and healthy. Courtney also graduated from the University of Wyoming with bachelor's degrees in international studies and English. She also studied interdisciplinary pre-law and was a part of the honors program.

Before Ross, Courtney worked for a small education non-profit teaching students about the science process. Here she witnessed the importance of communication, effective education tools, and the key role science plays in policy decisions.

Out of the office you can find Courtney running, skiing, practicing languages, embroidering, or painting!