Kate Ellis first joined Fresh Energy in 2008 to work on federal energy issues. In 2009, Kate moved to Fresh Energy’s Clean Energy program as a senior policy associate to organize on federal clean energy issues, including a national Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS). Kate has worked in a variety of capacities for the Minnesota Farmer's Union, Growth and Justice, the Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group, Democratic GAIN, Paul Wellstone’s 2002 Senate Campaign, and Grassroots Solutions. Her work is inspired by the interconnection of energy and the economy; specifically using energy solutions to spur economic development, especially in rural areas. Kate not only commutes to work daily on her bike; but in early 2008, she and her husband, Patrick, biked the east coast of Australia for their honeymoon. Kate double majored in Political Science and Women's Studies at the University of MN, Morris, and obtained a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs with an emphasis on economic and community development.