Mel is an independent consultant for the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) who supports the work of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Track and the Transition Financing Track. Previously, she worked in equity research, consumer goods sector analysis, green and sustainability origination, and climate risk integration for private credit.

She holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in New York and a B. Bus. in Banking and Finance from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She is a CFA Charterholder.

Over 30 years of engineering and management experience. Dr. Kanopoulos has created and managed large teams focused on the development, mass production, and marketing of semiconductor products for the global market. Before founding Brite Solar Technologies, he was the Managing Director for Channel Development in Europe / Africa / Middle East for the Solar Business Unit of Applied Materials. Previously, Dr. Kanopoulos was the Director of the Multimedia & Communications (MMC) business division of Atmel Corp, where he was responsible for managing product development groups based in the United States, Greece, Sweden, and China.

Dr. Kanopoulos was also the founder and CEO of Data Communications Technologies, which was acquired by Atmel. In addition, he was the Director of the Integrated Electronics Group at RTI International, one of the largest independent research centers in the U.S. For over 10 years, he served as an adjunct professor at Duke University in North Carolina. He was the Manager of the Integrated Electronics Department at Research Triangle Institute, and has been a special advisor to the Minister of Macedonia & Thrace in Greece for matters of technology. Dr. Kanopoulos

Richard leads the Highland team and partners who are focused on product validation, engineering/construction, plant operations, supply and offtake, and financing/funding. Prior to joining Highland, Richard started, developed, and subsequently sold three successful businesses over the past 40 years. His technical expertise and the scope of these businesses included planning, design, construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing, industrial and commercial facilities; facility decarbonization, renewable energy development; environmental compliance and remediation. Financial expertise includes debt, tax equity, incentives, and private equity. Richard is active in regional workforce development programs focusing on skill development, apprenticeship, and joint enrollment programs to encourage deeper participation in traditional trades including manufacturing and construction. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and has been a lecturer and adjunct professor at Georgia Tech, the University of Colorado, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

An expert with more than fifteen years of work experience in a corporate energy company. Persistent in defining short-term and long-term strategies, business development and improving business efficiency in order to increase clients' profits. He is also an expert in the analysis of market segmentation, competition, prices and similar analyzes for the needs of market research and new product development. In addition to this, he also has extensive experience in developing new products by optimizing operational expenses and improving quality/price ratio. He has also expertise in creating PowerPoint presentations, instructions, various graphic displays and other technical documentation.

Expertise in organizing conferences and creating engaging and informative content. An experienced speaker with experience in speaking in international conferences on topics regarding sustainable development. Established writer with articles published in Times of Malta, Lubes Magazine, and Bulletin of Oil Nationally Committee of Serbia.