Board of Directors

Kim Forrest

Board Chair

Kim joined StoveTeam’s Board in 2018 after serving on staff as the organization's Programs and Volunteer Manager for 2 years. Prior to joining StoveTeam, Kim had been living, working, and studying Anthropology and Archaeology in Guatemala and Mexico since 2009, through which she developed an interest in helping solve the social and environmental challenges facing Latin American communities. During her time working at StoveTeam, she worked with StoveTeam factories and supporters on business development, grant writing, research, and volunteer trips. She currently works professionally as the Marketing Director for her family's company in Eugene, FORREST Technical Coatings. Kim holds a B.A. in History from Whitman College and a Masters in Anthropological Studies of Mexico and Mesoamerica from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico.   

Susie Andrist

Director

Susie was born and raised in the Chicago area. After graduating with a BS from the University of Illinois, she moved to Oregon in 1970 when the educational project with which she was working moved there. Working with that project involved training teachers in the use of unique teaching practices; she also became a co-author of grade-school-level reading programs and went on to publish 6 different programs that have been successful in the marketplace for as long as 47 years (including revisions). She became a Rotarian in 2008 so as to assist StoveTeam International in acquiring Rotary grants, and served as her club’s president in 2017-18. She has been a StoveTeam board member since 2008 when StoveTeam became a nonprofit and has participated in 13 volunteer work trips to Latin America over the years.

Ginger Chinn

Director

Ginger Chinn serves as the vice president of public policy and government affairs at the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the Chamber, she coordinates with critical stakeholders on emerging policy issues and works with local and federal lawmakers on getting bills through the legislative process. She works to build strong relationships with members, the community, and elected officials. 

Prior to her role at the Salt Lake Chamber, she served as the managing director for urban and rural business services for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. As managing director, Chinn directed a strategic growth plan for Utah’s industry cluster program and manages GOED’s rural programs. Additionally, Chinn oversaw GOED’s business services including Utah’s Business Resource Centers and the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC). 

Chinn was previously the vice president of external engagement and economic development at the Davis Technical College (DTC). In this role, she directed several areas including Custom Fit training and operations at the Davis and Morgan County Business Resource Centers. 

Chinn has served on many organizational boards including the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), Davis Education Foundation, and the Lakeview Hospital Board. She served as an honorary commander under Major General Stacey Hawkins at Hill Air Force Base. 

Chinn graduated from Boise State University earning a degree in social sciences. She also earned a master’s degree from Colorado State University in organizational leadership.

Alex Tait

Director

Based in Portland Oregon, Alex Tait is currently the Chief Compliance Officer for Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. which is one of the leading renewable energy developers in the United States. Originally from the United Kingdom, Alex has held several leadership roles within the international utility and renewable sectors in areas such as corporate strategy, compliance and sustainability. Previously, Alex was a member of the Board of Advisors for eight years at the World Affairs Council of Oregon.

Alex graduated from the University of Aberdeen, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, has an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and attended the executive development program at the Wharton Business School. He is a certified compliance and ethics professional and a non practicing certified internal auditor.

Walt Meyer

Director

Walt Meyer is an environmental engineer and works for West Yost Associates in Eugene, Oregon. He specializes in planning and design of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems for communities in Oregon. He is an expert in water quality planning and advises cities and districts on their long term water quality compliance strategies.

He has participated in several Stove Team International studies on the performance of wood stoves including the studies in San Jose de Las Lagrimas in Honduras and El Tigre in Mexico. He also served in the Peace Corps in Queretaro, Mexico, working with the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica as an environmental engineer. 

Heidi Groot

Director

Heidi Groot is the General Manager Human Resources, Midstream for Chevron Corporation, based in San Ramon, California. She is responsible for oversight of the HR function activities for Supply and Trade, Shipping and Power and Pipeline businesses and is a member of the HR Management Team and Executive Women’s Group. Since joining Chevron in 2002, Heidi has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility in California, Florida, Nigeria, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Argentina. She is fluent in Spanish. Heidi joined the StoveTeam board in 2022, motivated by the opportunity to apply her experience in human resources, organizational capability and coaching to support STI’s focus on health, the environment and improving lives and communities. 

A native of Southern California, Heidi graduated from University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Dual Major in English and Spanish Literature. Heidi obtained an International MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, in Glendale, Arizona.

Rich Goldstein

Director

Rich Goldstein brings to StoveTeam a diverse background spanning manufacturing (both domestic and international), jewelry design, software development, healthcare, and integrative health. He has worked with large enterprises, as well as smaller businesses.  Primarily his work has been in the private sector, with some experience in both non-profit and public sector organizations.  He has spent time in Asia, Europe and Central America, where he was introduced to StoveTeam in 2019. 

Having attained a Masters degree in Public Health, Rich has dedicated a significant portion of the past 25 years to exploring health-supportive behaviors that individuals can adopt independently of healthcare and medical interventions. He has managed a medical practice in California and worked for the public health department in Austin, Texas, focusing on health informatics.

Rich is deeply committed to enhancing healthcare, with a particular emphasis on individual health and well-being. He firmly believes that systemic change is necessary to address the complexities inherent in the healthcare landscape. Moreover, he strives to ensure that a person-centered and compassionate approach is effectively implemented, regardless of socioeconomic status or constraints.