About Us
NextGen exists to foster a world that can thrive for future generations. Our collaborative approach values relationships, reliability, passion, and optimism to facilitate systems change for our clients.
Before NextGen’s founding, our seasoned team of sustainability experts honed our entrepreneurial skills building sustainability-focused businesses – from consulting to grassroots engagement – from the ground up. As trusted advisors developing sustainability programs with businesses big and small, public and private, expert and beginner – we developed deep technical expertise in greenhouse gas accounting and LCA, ESG strategy and reporting, and implementation across a wide range of industries.
Our Team
Kristen Rowe
Founder, CEO, and Collaborative Visionary
Kristen is the founder and collaborative visionary at NextGen ESG.
More about Kristen
In her 16+ year career as a seasoned sustainability and environmental compliance consultant, Kristen has consistently supported and enhanced corporate sustainability initiatives. Her expertise spans diverse sectors, from nurturing small start-ups to guiding Fortune 500 companies—both publicly-traded and privately held. Kristen has left her mark on industries such as agriculture, livestock, restaurant, food and beverage, dairy, consumer goods, home and personal care, technology, manufacturing, building and construction, chemicals and specialty chemicals, oil and gas, petrochemical, pulp and paper, healthcare, automotive, aviation, and financial services.
Kristen’s distinctive approach is centered on humanity, fostering trusted relationships among team members, clients, and throughout her professional network. Her commitment to uplifting others in her interactions complements her knack for adding substantial business value in the consulting projects she leads. Forward-thinking, business-practical, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused, Kristen brings a unique blend of skills to every endeavor.
Recognized as a thought leader, Kristen specializes in developing climate strategies and providing decarbonization advisory solutions. Her proficiency includes crafting corporate greenhouse gas inventories, setting targets, managing disclosures, and implementing effective decarbonization solutions. Kristen’s extensive background encompasses life cycle assessments (LCA’s) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), carbon footprints, corporate sustainability strategy, and reporting support. Her expertise further extends to supply chain and sustainable procurement design.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kristen is a devoted wife and mother of three remarkable children. An avid CrossFit athlete and food enthusiast, she appreciates the importance of balancing a dynamic career with a rich personal life. Kristen’s favorite pastimes include immersing herself in the present moment to appreciate life’s small joys, creating opportunities for laughter, enjoying the outdoors, watching stand-up comedy, indulging in reality TV shows about love and relationships, and, when time allows, relishing in the rejuvenating power of a good nap.
Carol Hee
Associate director
Carol brings deep expertise in life cycle assessment, sustainability strategy, and impact measurement, grounded in both technical rigor and practical application.
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With a PhD in Environmental Science and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she specializes in helping organizations translate complex environmental data into actionable, value-driven insights.
Carol has led work spanning corporate sustainability strategy, ESG integration, and LCA across industries. Her experience bridges strategy and execution, supporting organizations in developing practical solutions to complex sustainability challenges.
Carol is recognized for her ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and engage stakeholders effectively. Her collaborative, relationship-driven approach reflects NextGen’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, tailored solutions that drive measurable impact.
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Brian Bunte
PRINCIPAL ESG & LCA CONSULTANT
Brian is a dedicated sustainability expert with a wealth of expertise in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and life cycle assessment (LCA)
More about Brian
Brian is a dedicated sustainability expert with a wealth of expertise in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and life cycle assessment (LCA). With a Master’s degree in Greenhouse Gas Management and Accounting from Colorado State University and years’ experience leading sustainability projects for Fortune 500 clients, Brian specializes in navigating technical complexities to drive positive impact. Brian’s expertise spans multiple sectors and project types, showcasing the breadth and depth of his expertise and ability to tailor solutions to unique challenges. Some of Brian’s past clients include Microsoft, NVIDIA, Seagate, LIME, and Johnson & Johnson.
Manisha Paralikar
Managing Partner
Manisha (she/her) is a culture-oriented strategic manager with 19+ years of experience in the field, both in-house and as a consultant.
More about Manisha
Manisha has enabled myriad organizations across sectors to pursue sustainability strategy development, including materiality assessment, reporting, carbon accounting, target setting, and supplier engagement.
Manisha’s approach is centered in justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (JEDIA), respecting the individuality of each person she engages with, the context of our client work, and the potential holistic impacts of strategic recommendations.
In her previous role as a member of the North American leadership team for a global sustainability consultancy, Manisha led a team of early-career consultants to upskill on ESG topics, business expectations, and relationship building. This experience was one of the most fulfilling in her career. She managed the CDP service offering for over 5 years, training 100+ staff and supporting 40+ companies over time. A GRI-certified practitioner, she also co-led the materiality assessment and reporting working groups for 3 years, and co-developed a social impact service offering, during her tenure at the firm.
Sam Toulmin
Principal Consultant
Sam is an expert in corporate sustainability with an aptitude for developing practical and credible decarbonization strategies.
More about Sam
Applying his technical background in carbon accounting and emissions reduction modeling, Sam enables data-driven decarbonization initiatives throughout the value chain while establishing processes for performance monitoring and continuous GHG inventory improvement. Sam builds trusting relationships by seeking to simplify the evolving ESG reporting landscape, helping clients define and address their most material program needs. He advises clients on a breadth of initiatives, such as renewable energy, responsible sourcing, fleet electrification, and supplier engagement. Sam has guided numerous Fortune 500 companies through the process of setting and pursuing Science Based Targets, with a focus on Food & Beverage.
Tavia Reagan
Executive assistant
Tavia Reagan is the Executive Assistant for NextGen ESG specializing in operations and management.
More about Tavia
Tavia has gained extensive experience working as Executive Assistant for a large Commercial Real Estate firm as well as a Fortune 500 company, where she played a vital role in supporting high-level executives. Tavia excels at optimizing time management by efficiently managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and streamlining daily operations. Her expertise also extends to event planning, where she has organized a variety of large corporate events, ensuring every detail aligns with company goals. Tavia is adept at building and maintaining relationships with partners, effectively communicating across all levels to ensure seamless operations and business success.
Tavia holds a B.S degree in Business and Engineering from Brigham Young University Idaho.
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