Our Board

Elise elswood

Founder & Chair

Elise Elswood is the passionate founder of Grasslands Colorado, living on the scenic eastern slope of Colorado. With decades of experience as a visual designer and marketer, Elise's true passion is discovering ways for humans to coexist peacefully with wildlife. She is dedicated to challenging outdated perceptions of "nuisance" animals. When she's not working towards a more harmonious world, she enjoys art, crochet, and her rescue pups and chickens.

carl chapman

Webmaster & Member

Carl Chapman is an entrepreneur focused on helping SMBs and organizations "Make the Web Work Better" for them. He has built websites across three decades for small to large for profit businesses as well as non-profits. He is what Teddy Roosevelt would call a true Conservative. As a kid , he spent many hours outdoors communing with nature and enjoying all types of wildlife. Carl is an Eagle Scout (BSA) and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

virgil greenwood

Treasurer & Member

Virgil masterfully maneuvers through the maze of tax codes, making even the most intimidating spreadsheets sigh with relief. Come moonlight, he’s out swapping numbers for nature, trekking trails, and soaking in the great outdoors. With his knack for precision and his love for balance (in both books and ecosystems), Virgil is ready to bring his unique expertise and boundless enthusiasm to the board of Grasslands Colorado.

jamie Fraina

N. CO Outreach Director & Member

Jaime Fraina, is a dedicated advocate for wildlife conservation and community-driven solutions. With a background in Experience Design, they have been instrumental in leading efforts to protect prairie dog habitats and promote coexistence between local wildlife and urban development. After successfully organizing community campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and policy discussions to prevent unnecessary exterminations, Jaime joined Grasslands Colorado as a board member to continue advocating for humane, science-backed solutions to conservation challenges. Passionate about making the humane choice the easy choice, Jaime is committed to ensuring that wildlife has a voice in land-use decisions while empowering communities to take action.

Denise Malinowski

Member

Denise is a wildlife advocate with a background in philosophy and environmental science, committed to ethical conservation. Years living in Colorado’s mountains and grasslands shaped a deep respect for wild ecosystems. She is passionate about protecting wildlife through informed advocacy, community engagement, and time spent hiking, camping, and canoeing in the places we fight to preserve.

Our Advisory Board

Mike Kempe

Dr. Michael Kempe, a Ph.D. graduate in Chemical Engineering from Caltech, has been a Senior Scientist at NREL’s PV Module Reliability Group since 2003, focusing on improving solar photovoltaic longevity and qualification standards. His work has led to over 200 publications, patents, and contributions to international standards, advancing solar energy as a crucial component of sustainable infrastructure. He has also served on the CORE electric cooperative board in Sedalia, Colorado, helping integrate emerging energy technologies. Beyond his professional work, he is a passionate advocate for conservation, dedicated to protecting Colorado’s open spaces and ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Ken Mitchell

Ken has over 45 years of experience in land development and 40 years in real estate brokerage, working across five states and consulting for national and regional homebuilders. He has managed multi-billion-dollar asset portfolios, overseeing loan workouts and property disposition during economic downturns. A dedicated environmental advocate, Ken spearheaded a prairie dog relocation effort in Loveland, Colorado, earning recognition as Prairie Dog Developer of the Year. He actively supports conservation initiatives, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Bears Ears Partnership, and serves on the Advisory Board for Colorado State University’s Master of Tourism Management program, promoting responsible outdoor tourism.