Kristin Coates is the CEO of Regenerative California, a statewide initiative working to help California become the nation’s first regenerative economy—one that advances environmental restoration, community wellbeing, and shared prosperity. She leads strategy and cross-sector collaboration to align climate action with economic transformation through practical, place-based solutions. With more than two decades of experience across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors, Kristin brings a systems-thinking approach to building resilient regional economies. She began her career in land conservation, green building, and environmental media before founding Coates Consulting, a sustainable tourism firm that helped develop award-winning destinations from Patagonia to the Pacific Rim. Each project was designed to strengthen local economies while advancing environmental stewardship and meaningful visitor experiences. Kristin later served as Vice President of Food and Nature-Based Solutions at SecondMuse, where she led global initiatives in partnership with organizations including The Rockefeller Foundation and Oxfam. Her work focused on reimagining food systems and supporting community-driven innovation through programs such as the Food System Vision Prize, Urban Food Hives, and entrepreneurship accelerators. She holds degrees from the University of Vermont and George Washington University, serves on several nonprofit boards, and is a fellow of both the With Life Program and the Just Economy Institute.