Institute on the Environment

The Institute on the Environment (IonE) is an interdisciplinary research and engagement institute at the University of Minnesota. Founded in 2007, IonE builds connections across the university's colleges and campuses and between academia and the broader world, bringing the strengths of a public research university into a wider sustainability ecosystem. Its mission is to build a future where people and planet prosper together, and its vision is of sustainable and thriving communities—local and global—equipped to overcome environmental challenges. IonE organizes its work around ten areas of focus: Adaptation, Biodiversity, Clean Energy, Decision Support, Environmental Justice, Food Systems, Mitigation, Natural Capital, Planetary Health, and Water and Land. Its experts span disciplines, generations, and sectors, and the institute supports research projects, events, and learning programs. For example, in the Adaptation topic area alone, IonE reports 46 experts, 10 projects, 8 events, and over $2.3 million in funded work. IonE also runs leadership and experiential learning programs such as Clean Energy Leaders and Sustainability Corps, and hosts events including the Minnesota Water Resources Conference and its annual meeting. IonE is led by Executive Director Jessica Hellmann, who has served in that role since 2015. The leadership team also includes April Deinken (Director of Administration & Operations), Ben Ingman (Director of Learning & Development), Julie Hanus (Director of Public Interest Communications & Engagement), and Melissa Kenney (Director of Research & Knowledge Initiatives). The institute operates under a strategic plan for 2024–2029 and a DEIJ action plan, guided by six values—curiosity, collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and others—that form the "IonE Way." As part of the University of Minnesota, IonE is a state-owned public entity. It is funded through the university and through philanthropic gifts, which support students, research projects, and real-world environmental solutions. Donors can give to the Discretionary Fund or to student experiences and learning. The institute's work is local and global, with partners across Minnesota, the region, and the world.

The Institute on the Environment (IonE) was founded in 2007 at the University of Minnesota. From its inception, IonE was designed to build connections across the university's colleges and campuses and between academia and the broader world, bringing the strengths of a public research university into a wider sustainability ecosystem. Its mission is to build a future where people and planet prosper together, and its vision is of sustainable and thriving communities—local and global—equipped to rapidly, collectively, and effectively overcome the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow. Over the years, IonE has organized its work around ten areas of focus: Adaptation, Biodiversity, Clean Energy, Decision Support, Environmental Justice, Food Systems, Mitigation, Natural Capital, Planetary Health, and Water and Land. These topics guide its research priorities, expert networks, projects, and events. For example, in the Adaptation area, IonE reports 46 experts, 10 projects, 8 events, and over $2.3 million in funded work. The institute supports interdisciplinary sustainability research professors and impact goal projects that advance sustainability across Minnesota. IonE is led by Executive Director Jessica Hellmann, who has served since 2015. The leadership team includes April Deinken (Director of Administration & Operations, staff since 2012), Ben Ingman (Director of Learning & Development, staff since 2025), Julie Hanus (Director of Public Interest Communications & Engagement, staff since 2017), and Melissa Kenney (Director of Research & Knowledge Initiatives, staff since 2019). The institute operates under a strategic plan for 2024–2029 and a DEIJ action plan. Its six values—curiosity, collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and others—form the "IonE Way." IonE engages in learning and development programs such as Clean Energy Leaders and Sustainability Corps, and hosts events including the Minnesota Water Resources Conference and its annual meeting. It also produces communications and storytelling to connect people with research, insights, and ideas. As part of the University of Minnesota, IonE is a state-owned public entity, funded through the university and through philanthropic gifts that support students, research projects, and real-world environmental solutions. Donors can contribute to the Discretionary Fund or to student experiences and learning. The institute's work is local and global, with partners across Minnesota, the region, and the world.

• 2025

  Ben Ingman joins IonE staff as Director of Learning & Development.

• 2024

  IonE's Strategic Plan 2024-2029 is in effect.

• 2019

  Melissa Kenney joins IonE staff (later Director of Research & Knowledge Initiatives).

• 2017

  Julie Hanus joins IonE staff (later Director of Public Interest Communications & Engagement).

• 2015

  Jessica Hellmann becomes Executive Director of IonE.

• 2012

  April Deinken joins IonE staff (later Director of Administration & Operations).

• 2007

  Institute on the Environment founded at the University of Minnesota.

An interdisciplinary sustainability research and engagement institute at a public research university, connecting academia with the broader world to advance real-world environmental solutions.

1. 1Home | Institute on the Environmentenvironment.umn.edu
2. 2About Institute of the Environmentenvironment.umn.edu
3. 3Giving | Institute on the Environmentenvironment.umn.edu
4. 4Staff Directory | Institute on the Environmentenvironment.umn.edu
5. 5Institute on the Environmentwikidata.org