People of the CGA: Kelly Green

By Kayla Kerns 

Kelly Green (formerly Kelly Heffer) is a Colorado native who played varsity golf at Cherry Creek High School, graduating in 1993. She attended both the University of Arizona and the University of Colorado Boulder on a full golf scholarship, earning her degree from CU in 1997, followed by an MBA from Colorado State University in 2004.

Kelly served as President and Chairman of the Board at Birko Corporation, her third-generation family-owned food safety company, which was sold in 2021. She now holds the title of Chairman Emeritus of Birko – A Diversey Company. Kelly won the 1996 Colorado Women’s Match Play Championship and the 1994 Colorado Women’s First Data Corp Open, and she has qualified for seven USGA Championships. She is a member of Cherry Hills Country Club.

KK: Tell me about the story behind Birko and how you got to where you are with the company.
KG: My grandparents started our family business, Birko Corporation, from their garage in 1953. The company began by serving Colorado’s meatpacking industry, supporting beef and protein processors with food safety expertise and utilization of Birko chemistries to add value to their offal products, such as hide curing (used for leather), tripe washing, tallow splitting that goes into petroleum-based products, and stamping ink used for USDA approval of all meat.

When I joined the business after college, the beef industry was rapidly consolidating and many of our core customers were disappearing. I helped pivot Birko toward new markets, including produce and craft brewing, where food safety also requires specialized chemistry and sanitation expertise. Birko flourished as the food industry developed a demand for ready-to-eat products across all sectors of protein, produce, and beverage.

We were based in Henderson, Colorado, with more than 100 employees across the U.S. in 2021. When the company was founded in 1953, my Grandfather was a chemist and the inspiration behind our company’s science-driven focus. My Grandmother was the heartbeat of our culture that put employees and customers first. During the pandemic, our products were essential to keep meat processing and food plants open and compliant with USDA regulations, which was a high-pressure but rewarding time. I am certain my Grandparents would be proud that the company they started has become a critical component to our food supply today.

KK: When were you introduced to the game and who taught you?
KG: I was introduced to golf at a very young age by my Mom and Dad, who were members at Cherry Hills in the early 1980s. My first instructor was Danny Harvanek, who taught many juniors in Colorado and made learning the game fun.

I remember chipping golf balls into upside-down umbrellas to help us learn loft and control—whoever got the most in the umbrella won a milkshake. I was often the only girl in the group, but he created such an encouraging environment that it made me fall in love with the game.

KK: What has been your favorite CGA tournament?
KG: My favorite is the Colorado Women’s Match Play Championship. I won the title in 1996 at Lone Tree, 13 & 12, which is one of my proudest competitive moments. I continue to compete in this event because of the great competition, but also the camaraderie it fosters for collegiate, mid-amateurs, and senior women players.

For example, this past year I was paired with a DU golfer, Kaitlin Zingler. Playing three rounds of golf together in the Pod format allowed us to build a great friendship. She was curious about my career and how golf played a role in my success as a businessperson. Fast forward, I introduced her to a few people in my business network, and she now has a finance internship lined up for next summer. That was incredibly rewarding — golf can open doors far beyond competition.

KK: You recently qualified for your first U.S. Senior Women’s Open. How was that experience?
KG: Earlier this year I was talking with friends about my golf goals, and I said my “BHAG” — my Big Hairy Audacious Goal — was to qualify for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. I had missed qualifying for two U.S. Women’s Opens in college by one shot each time, so I knew it would push me out of my comfort zone.

During the qualifier, I had to wait for scores to come in and thought I was going to miss by one again — the ultimate three-peat — but instead I went into a playoff and won. Achieving this goal reinforced why it’s important to set uncomfortable goals and never ever give up on your dreams.

I ran into Leta Lindley, my former teammate at U of A who was the defending champion, and connected with other players from my college days like Jill McGill, Wendy Ward, and Annika Sörenstam. It felt surreal to be on that stage.

Times have changed but some things stay the same! In a U.S. Open, the players are not allowed to use a range finder in competition. It took me a few practice rounds to remember how to read an old-fashioned yardage book! The nerves were unlike anything else I’ve ever felt. There’s nothing like the pressure of competitive golf at that level. I didn’t make the cut, but I absolutely want to try again. It was the most rewarding and memorable golf experience of my life — even compared to my other USGA championships.

KK: If you could give advice to younger generations or your younger self, what would it be?
KG: Very few players will go on to play professionally, but golf is still one of the most powerful tools you can carry in life. Golf has not just opened doors for me; it has kicked open the door in life. Golf teaches discipline, integrity, perseverance, and how to handle every kind of condition life throws at you.

My golf mentor from 1992, Clayton Cole, always told me, “There will be many days you miss the fairway or green in regulation. Use your imagination to still make par.” That applies far beyond the golf course. You’re going to make bogeys in life — mistakes happen. What matters is holding your head high, learning from it, and being proud of yourself anyway.