Few people in the world have dedicated as much time, passion, and expertise to biochar as Kathleen Draper. A seasoned author, speaker, and industry maven, Kathleen has spent over a decade elucidating the science of biochar, advocating for its potential to combat climate change, and exploring its vast industrial applications. Her journey in the biochar space spans leadership roles with the U.S. Biochar Initiative (USBI) and the International Biochar Initiative (IBI), as well as her work as the U.S. Director of the Ithaka Institute for Carbon Intelligence. She is also the co-founder of C-Interest, a company committed to advancing biochar-based materials. Beyond her professional expertise, Kathleen is a true biochar evangelist, devoted to taking this transformative technology to the grassroots level.

Kathleen has co-authored two influential books — BURN: Using Fire to Cool the Earth and Terra Preta: How the World’s Most Fertile Soil Can Help Reverse Climate Change and Reduce World Hunger — both of which have helped bring biochar into mainstream climate discussions.