Aspen and Queenstown have continued their Sister Cities collaboration through a series of virtual forums addressing shared challenges in housing, urban planning, and community development. These conversations highlight innovative solutions and practical ideas that benefit both communities while strengthening our international partnership.
Watch the previous session recording below to explore how Aspen and Queenstown are working together to create more resilient and connected communities.
Debbie Braun has 25 years’ experience in the Chamber and Destination Marketing field as the President & CEO of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. She is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) and received her certificate for 96 hours of Nonprofit Organizational Management coursework. Debbie is also a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) through Destinations International. She is the past chair and board member of the Destination Marketing Association of the West and former board member of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives. Debbie received in 2020 the Governor’s award for outstanding individual contribution to Colorado Tourism and is a mentor for the Colorado Tourism Office leadership journey.
Christine is the Founder and Chief Executive of Aspen Institute in New Zealand. She is the former Executive Director of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Singapore and consultant with McKinsey & Company. After living and working in Asia, Australia, and the USA for much of her professional life, Christine was inspired to launch Aspen Institute New Zealand when she returned to Queenstown, New Zealand.
Matthew Gillen is the executive director of the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA). APCHA is North America’s largest workforce housing program, with over 3,000 ownership and rental properties. APCHA enforces eligibility and compliance with the program. Before joining APCHA in 2021, Matthew was a United States Foreign Service officer for 24 years serving in Dhaka, London, Dublin, Ho Chi Minh City, Santiago, and Washington DC.
Jenn Ooton is the Senior Project Manager in the City Manager’s Office at the City of Aspen. She is a strong operations professional skilled in Organizational Development, Community Development, Community Outreach, Media Relations, and Regionalism. Ms. Ooton holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has 14 years of experience in local government, including working on affordable housing policy, resiliency, legislative policy, and with property owners and developers on redevelopment and infill projects.
Julie Scott leads the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and has an extensive understanding of housing issues in the District. The unique issues faced in the area, has led to the Trust being renowned for its innovative housing solutions. To this end, Julie manages a team which has successfully implemented rent-to-buy, affordable rental and two assisted home ownership programmes, whilst also contracting to central Government to deliver Public Housing. Having lived in Tāhuna Queenstown since 2002, Julie’s a passionate advocate of community housing and shares QLCHTs models throughout NZ.
Ben Farrell, owner and director of Cue Environmental, has been heavily involved in New Zealand’s environmental and resource management sector for over 20 years, working throughout New Zealand across a range of interests. An accomplished RMA Planning Expert, Ben is currently on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Resource Management Law Association. In addition to his professional work, Ben is an active volunteer and has provided numerous pro-bono planning consultancy services to a range of people and not-for profit organisations, including the New Zealand Planning Institute.
