Our People

Regina Hauser - Executive Director

Regina believes that life is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed, which goes a long way to explain her decision to leave the comfortable life of a lawyer at Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt to take the helm of The Natural Step Network. Because she enjoys blazing a trail, it makes sense that she has led the Network from a local organization to a growing national network in just seven years.  Perhaps it was the patent litigation in her background that attracted her to the science of the Natural Step. Regina’s exuberance for life, her sense of humor, and her passion for sustainability can be seen both in her many presentations about the Natural Step, and slide shows from trekking adventures in places like Bhutan, Tibet and Peru.  Her husband Chris will attest that she’s not afraid to take a spill, whether in water, mud or life.  Regina sees the challenge of sustainability as a defining opportunity for individuals and organizations alike, and believes our response to that challenge will define our character for generations to come. 

Heidi Speight - Director of Training Development Heidi splits her time between Portland and Wisconsin, where most recently she has worked with local government and business to choose sustainability actions aligned with The Natural Step Framework. Heidi is a graduate of Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden where she obtained a Masters degree in Strategic Leadership Toward Sustainability. As the Training Director she is creating professional development programs for business and community leaders. Heidi most wants to see organizations equipped with the perspective and tools they need to thrive and provide for the next generation.

April Knudsen - Office Administrator  After earning an English degree from Centre College, April took the time-honored career path of many liberal arts graduates, and started working in restaurants. Always true to her skill set, this California native has lived and worked in Texas, Indiana, New Jersey, Kentucky and Colorado, and most recently spent five years in Nome, Alaska, in the field of healthcare administration. The quiet one, April manages the workflow in The Natural Step Network office with a sense of humor and judicious application of baked goods. April lives in Portland with her husband, and also owns a small letterpress studio, Mercy Morgan Press.

Photos: Many thanks to Brian McDonnell