Login
Latest News
Collaboration starts with conversation. The Keynotes Blog embraces this idea by bringing forward the voices of our team, partners, and allies to discuss our work inspiring leaders to reach common higher ground. Check back here often for content that delves into our rich history and the ideas driving our work forward.
April 23, 2025
A New Chapter for Colorado’s Outdoors
On April 23, Colorado officially launched a bold new vision for the future of our lands, waters, wildlife, and outdoor experiences — Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy. This statewide framework is a…
April 16, 2025
Stewarding the Land: Keystone’s Natural Resources Legacy
As Keystone Policy Center marks its 50th anniversary, one theme continues to define its legacy: the power of collaboration to solve the toughest natural resource challenges. Through decades of work…
April 9, 2025
New Keystone Report: Rural Teachers Struggle with Insufficient Salaries
Keystone Policy Center has released a new report revealing that rural teachers across the country are struggling with salaries that fail to meet the cost of living, exacerbating teacher shortages…
March 3, 2025
Keystone Policy Center Welcomes Eric Olson to Lead Energy Projects
Keystone Policy Center is pleased to welcome Eric Olson as an affiliate, where he will lead efforts to develop a comprehensive climate and energy strategy. Working closely with Keystone staff,…
February 18, 2025
Pathways to Power: Energy Solutions Through Collaborations
For 50 years, Keystone Policy Center has played a pivotal role in shaping the energy sector through its collaborative approach to problem-solving. From nuclear waste management to tribal energy sovereignty,…
January 29, 2025
Transforming Child Welfare – Mandatory Reporting Task Force Releases Final Report
Colorado has long been a leader in child welfare policy, but with progress comes the responsibility to address systemic flaws. The recently released report from the Mandatory Reporting Task Force…
January 14, 2025
Keystone Policy Center Releases Latest Report Highlighting Academic Performance and Recovery in Colorado Charter Schools
The Keystone Policy Center today announced the release of a comprehensive report analyzing the academic performance of charter schools across Colorado. The report, titled “Colorado Charter Schools Performance Report,” provides…
January 13, 2025
Keystone at 50: A Vision Born from Mountaintops and Dialogue
As the Keystone Policy Center celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, we reflect on the life and legacy of Bob Craig, the organization’s founder. Craig’s remarkable journey—from mountaineer to policymaker—laid…
November 24, 2024
Keystone Reports on Academic Performance and Recovery in Colorado and Denver Public Schools
The Keystone Policy Center has released two comprehensive reports analyzing academic performance trends in Colorado and Denver Public Schools (DPS). These reports provide critical insights into student recovery following the…
November 14, 2024
Registration Open for Common Higher Ground, Adaptive Facilitation Workshops
Get Big Things Done Together Keystone’s next online collaborative decision-making workshop is scheduled for Jan-Feb, 2025. Common Higher Ground: Collaborative decision-making in the real world helps professionals in all sectors develop…
Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
Jennifer Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of nearly 6,000 staff working in more than 80 countries and territories tackling the dual crises of the 
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
Llewellyn King was born in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He went into journalism as soon as he turned 16, stringing for Time magazine and United Press in Africa.
Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.