COLORADO FORUM STAFF
Trina Peterson
Policy Director
Trina Peterson has a multi-faceted background as an entrepreneur (V.P. Marketing and Strategy for SweetWater, Inc.), venture capitalist (V.P. Evergreen Management), business strategy consultant (Boulder Research Associates), and professional fundraiser (Director of Development for 1% for the Planet). She graduated from Princeton University with an A.B. in Political Science and earned her MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School. She has served on the executive committees of numerous nonprofit boards, including as vice-chair of The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and as current chair of Climate Ride. She was delighted to return to the Forum in 2017 having done previous Forum project work in the 1990's and 2000's. Her two terrific adult children are her greatest joy.
Isabelle Deibel
Deputy Director
Isabelle Deibel graduated with her B.A. in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago in 2019. Growing up in Colorado, she grew up with a deep interest in the State’s policy landscape—from education to immigration to water. She has studied Colorado politics, become immersed in local issues, and started her professional career working both on local campaigns and at various consulting firms in the metro area. Isabelle’s experience working on both sides of the aisle enables her to take a nonpartisan, constructive viewpoint to each new project she’s given. Most recently, having long since been interested in the nexus between public policy and business, she was delighted to join the Colorado Forum team. Outside of her engagement with the Forum, you can find her re-watching West Wing, enjoying Denver’s rich restaurant scene, or on the slopes.
Mackenzie Tennery
Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Mackenzie currently coordinates all of the special events and meetings for the Colorado Forum. She is also Executive Assistant for President, Gail Klapper. Mackenzie joined the Forum staff in October 2017 after working as a media strategist for an advertising agency. She is originally from Dallas, Texas and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she received a Master of Information and Library Studies and a BA in Art History. Mackenzie and her husband, Ian, live in Denver with their lovely young daughter, Margot. She loves to spend her free time with her family, discovering new cookbooks, reading, and getting outside as much as possible.