Cara has been working as Assistant Director with the Tropical Forest Group since its formation in 2006. In her current role with TFG, Cara coordinates a wide range of research, advocacy and outreach on tropical forests and climate change. At the annual UNFCCC as an official observer, Cara focuses on REDD+, international finance and incentives for tropical forests, and outreach to UNFCCC Parties on a range of policy and technical issues, including: measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), reference levels, and coordination between the LCA, SBSTA, COP, and the Copenhagen Accord. In 2010, Cara will be working to ensure the US and other governments honor the $3.5 billion in fast-start REDD commitments made at COP15, as well as focusing on the TFCA, the Lacey Act, and bi-lateral funding for tropical forests.

Prior to working with TFG, Cara managed her own website and graphic design business for several years, and in 2006 was the Coordinator for the Center for Sustainability at Santa Barbara City College. She holds a BA in Biology from UC Santa Barbara (2003) and an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and the Earth Institute (2010). For her culminating project at Columbia in applied earth systems management, Cara co-managed a consulting team of 12 graduate students on a research project for the Environmental Defense Fund, titled Evaluating the Possibilities for an International Climate Change Regime. EDF requestedan analysis of past and existing international regimes and their commonalities with climate change negotiations, to provide insights on important focus areas to be considered with respect to future climate negotiations.