OneCanopy’s director of operations and business development, Katelynn Martinez, was named a 40 Under Forty honoree by BizWest. The award recognizes young professionals making a mark on their communities through professional success and volunteer efforts.
Connections were the key to success for Katelynn Martinez.
While completing work toward her master’s degree in business administration at Colorado State University, she said, “I connected with Kevin Brinkman, a local entrepreneur aiming to establish a reforestation venture. Leveraging my nine years of prior forest management experience in governmental agencies, I contributed valuable insights to this initiative. Within OneCanopy, I progressed from impact investment manager to director of business development and operations.”
Martinez’s key achievements encompass defining the company’s social enterprise framework, devising strategic goals, team recruitment, and securing a suitable property. In less than two years, the pioneering reforestation firm has cultivated more than 500,000 trees for Rocky Mountain reforestation efforts, partnered with more than 300 entities – including government bodies, nonprofits and private landowners – and overseen 1,000 volunteer hours at its Loveland nursery.
Martinez received scholarships such as the CSU College of Business’ Sustainability Scholarship for her conservation and forestry work, and has completed wildland firefighting training, along with certificates in carbon management and permaculture design.
Her community service centers on uplifting people, animals, and ecosystems. She prioritizes education for underserved communities, particularly through active engagement with the Samburu Youth Education Fund. She also initiated projects promoting outdoor experiences for youth, including one such effort that brought 50 Loveland grade schoolers to Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch so they could foster interest in natural resource careers while aligning with state science standards.
