City names new Sustainability Coordinator

April 16, 2024 - ROCHESTER, MINN. - Following a nationwide search, Kayla Betzold has been named Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Rochester. Betzold will assume the position on April 22, 2024.

Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser shares, "Kayla's knowledge in the triple bottom line of sustainability and her experience in local government are just a few of the many reasons she was selected for this role. We are excited for Kayla to join the City of Rochester team and help us advance our sustainability and climate goals."

"I'm thrilled to become part of the City of Rochester, where I can leverage my background in local government sustainability and municipal utility positions to contribute meaningfully to the City's sustainability goals and plans. I look forward to connecting with residents and partners as I begin this new role," shares Kayla Betzold.

Kayla most recently served as the Sustainability Manager for the City of Louisville, CO, after serving as the Sustainability Coordinator in Louisville, CO and Wheat Ridge, CO. In her capacity as Sustainability Manager, she was responsible for leading the City's sustainability strategic plan and served as the staff liaison to the Louisville Sustainability Advisory Board. Kayla also assisted with Louisville's Decarbonization Plan, energy code adoption, benchmarking and building performance measurement program. Her prior experience also includes serving as a Climate and Energy Education Coordinator and Communications Director in the Energy Utility industry. Kayla has been instrumental in securing funding for sustainability initiatives, including the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainable neighborhoods programs and regenerative agriculture practices.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Environmental Science with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.