The Flat + Akawa Butte Fires: What Went Right

Kellen’s passion lies in community and relationship building. A skilled facilitator and unabashed expert generalist, he’s spent his career bringing people together to tackle complex social and environmental challenges. He currently serves as Executive Director of Citizens4Community, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering civility, collaboration, civic engagement, and social connection in and around the town of Sisters, Oregon.

After earning a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a master’s in Environmental Science & Management from UC-Santa Barbara, Kellen spent nearly a decade in the sustainability and social impact fields. His work at the non-profit consultancy Future 500 focused on forging common ground and collaboration between corporations, non-profits, investors, and other key changemakers. He then worked at Center for Humane Technology, where he grew and stewarded a global community of over 10,000 technologists committed to building more ethical products and services.

Kellen has long sought out opportunities to support organizations engaged in community building and social change. He currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Central Oregon Civic Action Project, and previously was a member of Oregon Environmental Council’s Emerging Leaders Board and the leadership team of the California Water Action Collaborative. When he’s not in the C4C office, you’ll likely find him scarfing donuts at Sisters Bakery, quaffing local mead at Lazy Z Ranch, or rolling around town on 2, 4, or 8 wheels with his wife, children, and dog.

Jennifer Letz is the mayor of the city of Sisters. She is in her 6th year on the City Council and 2nd year serving as mayor. She enjoys working on a variety of issues important to the citizens of Sisters, including wildfire resiliency, housing affordability, transportation, and economic
Development.

Jennifer is the co-owner of a wildfire mitigation consulting firm which specializes in helping public and private landowners in wildfire-adapted ecosystems. Her career also includes work with the US Forest Service in sustainability and the National Park Service as a backcountry ranger, wilderness EMT, and wildland firefighter. She currently serves on the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council.

Jennifer holds an MA in Sustainable Management from Prescott College in Arizona and a BA in Film and Media Studies from Willamette University in Salem.