Meet the Directors
IonE’s three fields of practice are each led by a director who works within them, bringing applied expertise to the activities that drive IonE’s public impact.
Melissa Kenney
"IonE’s strength lies in the range of research we catalyze, and in our ability to make that research matter beyond the institution – today and tomorrow. We do that with a deep commitment to partnership and rigor."
Julie Hanus
"Communication shapes what people believe is possible. That means our work is as much about the outward flow of ideas and stories as it is listening, engaging and responding to the world."
Ben Ingman
"Learning at IonE is about more than knowledge; it’s about building the relationships and capacities that change how people work. The most important shifts happen in the overlap, where different ways of thinking actually meet."
Meet Our Research Professors
In addition to our grantmaking program, IonE’s research activity is anchored by an in-house core of interdisciplinary scholars working at the forefront of environmental challenges. Each brings depth and range to the questions IonE is built to address.
Nathaniel Springer
Sharing What Matters
IonE’s public interest communications work is built on the belief that how knowledge enters the world matters – and that reaching the right people, in the right way, requires both rigor and responsiveness.
This work sits at such an interesting intersection – knowledge, narrative, civic life – and how our choices in communication shape it all. That’s a responsibility and a privilege we take seriously.
Learning & Development
IonE’s learning and development programs span the full arc of a career – from undergraduate researchers to established professionals – building the connections and competencies needed to address complex challenges.
Students & Early Career
IonE’s programs for graduate students and undergrads are built around experiential learning: cohorts, internships and growth opportunities that connect academic preparation to real-world environmental work.
Professionals & Practitioners
IonE’s offerings for faculty and network-building activities connect people across sectors and disciplines, supporting leadership trajectories and building the relationships that drive environmental progress.
