Ellie Milano

Senior Manager, Planning & Facilitation

I am excited about discovering the factors that lead to real, measurable impact for teams on the ground, and the conditions that create effective and healthy organizations. I explore the processes that make project teams successful in achieving their goals, and how to identify and reduce barriers to success. My expertise in strategic and project planning is rooted in the realities of what really works for teams. I design meetings and workshops with that in mind – helping teams to create the best possible solutions for their work.

My diverse experiences have afforded me a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, rooted in the real-world challenges that face small and large non-profits. I have supported the development and management of projects across the globe including Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mexico, Indonesia, South Africa, and Europe. I hold an MSc from Tufts University in Conservation Medicine, a BS in Biology and a BA in Environmental Studies both from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Contact me at: Ellie@impactbydesigninc.org

Lauren Watkins, PhD

Principal, Social Science & Research

Understanding how human behavior influences our natural world is a passion of mine. I get excited by opportunities to merge behavior change science with practice, helping others to reach their goals for animals and the environment. I share a desire with our partners to positively influence natural resources by helping people act in the best interest of the environment. To achieve this, I work closely with teams and organizations to build their capacity to foster sustainable behavior change.

My diverse experience in conservation psychology, communication, interpretation, and education comes from more than a decade of work with zoos, aquariums, museums, parks, reserves, and nonprofits in the US and abroad. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation, and hold an MS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science,  as well as a BA from Flagler College in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.

Contact me at: Lauren@impactbydesigninc.org

Ben Christ

Principal, Planning & Facilitation

My passions for facilitation and strategic planning were born from an appreciation of the “wicked” socio-ecological issues we face as a global community. As individuals, we approach these issues in ways that reflect our positions, interests, and biases. This range of perspectives can make partnership and planning particularly challenging. As a facilitator, I work alongside clients to design a process for essential conversations to occur. Whether in the field or the classroom, I am passionate about providing groups with an effective space for advancing their thinking and decision making. As a project and program manager, I ensure these processes are carried out in accordance with the resources at our disposal and at a high quality within agreed upon timeframes. 

Prior to joining IbD, my experiences ranged from avian ecology and social science research at home and abroad to teaching Business English in São Paulo, Brazil. I hold a Master’s in Sustainable Development Practice with a certificate in Tropical Conservation & Development from the University of Florida and a BS in Fisheries & Wildlife from the University of Missouri.

Contact me at: Ben@impactbydesigninc.org

Hannah Pickard

Manager, Planning & Facilitation

Hope for overcoming our environmental challenges comes from people aligning across disciplines, learning and working together on solutions.  I am passionate about supporting environmental leaders by fostering community-building, skill development and social-emotional wellness. As a facilitator and strategic planner, I guide teams to find clarity in purpose and a path to implementation.  

My perspective is informed by interdisciplinary partnerships - programs, projects and networks that put social science, environmental science and education research into practice for the common good.  I have two decades of experience working with museums, zoos, and aquariums, as well as early career scientists, translating complex topics and motivating behavior change.  I am deeply experienced in generative social impact networks and building national communities of practice that motivate and sustain conservation leaders long-term. My background is in education, conservation psychology, climate communications, community engagement and evaluation. I hold a B.A. in Studio Art and Italian from Connecticut College and an Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Contact me at: Hannah.Pickard@impactbydesigninc.org

Marco Flores

Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning

Socio-environmental costs are disproportionately imposed on the people that are most directly dependent on natural systems.  I’ve always felt an obligation to support work aimed at mitigating, managing and/or correcting these unjust realities.  Serving as a resource of technical expertise and strategic planning to dedicated and knowledgeable partners from a variety of backgrounds is a role I not only have enjoyed, but one I feel I can continue to learn from, and share.  I believe that for “monitoring, evaluation and learning” to be more than the latest buzz phrase in the program management world, stakeholders must base their planning on comprehensive problem analysis that asks tough questions and addresses the most relevant potential answers. 

My 21 years of conservation and international development program management experience includes project design, technical assistance in natural resources management, monitoring and evaluation, technical and institutional standards overview, performance metrics development, data analysis, adaptive management tools development, knowledge management, and strategic planning capacity building.  I received my Master’s in Environmental Studies from Yale University, and my BA in Environmental Science from the University of Puerto Rico. 

Contact me at: Marco.Flores@impactbydesigninc.org

Sara Kent

Chief Operating Officer

I enjoy developing solutions and systems that allow information to flow efficiently and transparently. I explore how people work individually and together to find the right processes to increase success. I am most excited when finding simple solutions to complex problems or identifying a new method that brings positive results to the whole team.

My experience comes from over two decades of programmatic, operational, and leadership positions with startup, corporate, and nonprofit animal welfare organizations. I hold a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University.

Contact me at: Sara.Kent@impactbydesigninc.org

Ara Jimenez

Project Support, Social Science & Research

Ara’s experience includes social science research in qualitative and quantitative methods, and education in tourism and environmental science for culturally diverse audiences, using mixed-methods research and analysis to contribute to more equitable, effective natural resource management and animal welfare initiatives. She holds an MS in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University, as well as a BS in Tourism Management from Florida International University, and is a Doctoral Candidate in Environmental Science & Policy at the University of Miami.

Fátima Ramis

Project Support, Social Science & Research

Fátima has eight years of combined experience working in wildlife conservation, behavioral change, and animal welfare science, partnering with organizations to improve capacity to enact behavioral change at a local scale, by combining relationship development, social science research, and technical skills with positive and creative problem solving outlook. She holds an MS in Biology from University of North Florida, as well as a BS in Biology from Stetson University, and is a Doctoral Candidate in Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Florida.

Amanda Berlinski

Project Support, Social Science & Research

Amanda has over 15 years of experience in interpretive management, planning, and training - specifically for sites dedicated to wildlife conservation and welfare. Through authentic co-creation, she helps teams develop and design experiences that engage audiences, encourage curiosity, and engender action. She holds an MA in Zoology from Miami University, a BA in Studio Art and Psychology from Hope College, and is a Doctoral Candidate in Teaching-Learning Processes with a focus on Heritage Leadership at the University of Missouri – Saint Louis. 

Hanna Lentz-Harry

Co-Founder

Hanna’s specialties come from years of working both in the field and organization management, including expertise in strategic and operational planning, organization development, training design, and convening stakeholders for collaboration and impact. She has extensive international experience, working with organizations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, South Africa, and across Europe. Hanna was an original co-founder of IbD and holds an MBA from IE University in Spain in Global Business Administration, an MS from Tufts University in Animals and Public Policy, and a BA with Honors from University of Michigan in English and Writing.

Ariela Rosenstein

Learning Strategist; Independent Consultant

Ariela’s work spans the health, education, and environmental sectors, and she currently advises on management and leadership development for a global humanitarian agency.  She has a particular passion for designing and guiding experiences that unite and empower diverse stakeholders to address complex challenges.  As Vice President of Training at Rare, Ariela oversaw the global product line for behavior change communications and training solutions. She built networks of learning communities, and activated an organizational culture of participation, engagement, and alignment across languages, cultures, and contexts.  Ariela has over 20 years of experience in leading education and capacity building programs for global non-profits throughout North America, Asia, Latin America and Africa. 

Errol Mazursky

Executive Director; Environmental Leadership Program

As Executive Director of the Environmental Leadership Program, Errol manages the day-to-day operations of the organization in addition to the recruitment and selection process of ELP’s regional networks, oversees the development and planning of fellowship programming, and maintains ELP’s national network of 1,000+ Senior Fellows. He believes in the power of knocking down silos and continuously requesting (and using!) feedback for growth.  An innate networking expert and optimist, he has a deep understanding of the challenges facing organizations and the opportunity for impact that comes from empowering individuals to succeed.  Errol has also worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, served in the U.S. Peace Corps as a health volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa, and as a Crisis Corps Volunteer in New Orleans, LA.

Ravi Prasad

Associate Director; CSpace

Ravi Prasad is an educator-turned-consultant who uses his moderation, design-thinking, and research skills to help corporations and non-profits alike. His professional interests are driven by a desire to help drive deeper connections between people, communities, and corporations to drive sustainability, equity, and profit. He has worked with a wide variety of organizations from Bose to Brown University, Coca Cola to the Environmental Leadership Program, Mass General Hospital to the City of Boston, and is thrilled to support Impact By Design.