Katie Silberman joins the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society from Brown’s Office of Government & Community Relations. As Director of Community Relations and a founding member of the University-wide Community Engagement Council, she worked closely with Providence nonprofits, schools, businesses, and community members to create meaningful partnerships and connect organizations and individuals to resources at Brown. Much of her work revolved around developing and directing Brown’s community relations strategy and implementation, providing counsel to senior leaders and other colleagues. 

“We feel incredibly lucky to welcome Katie to the IBES team,” said IBES Director Kim Cobb, emphasizing Silberman’s crucial role in developing initiatives tied to the institute’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. “Her proven leadership, vast institutional knowledge, and network of partners on and off campus will be huge assets to our work.”

Beyond her professional experience in strategy, planning, and engagement, Silberman has deep roots in environmental issues. After graduating from Brown, she earned her law degree from the University of California Law San Francisco with a focus on environmental and public interest law. She then worked for the Science & Environmental Health Network and the Center for Environmental Health before returning to Providence and joining Brown’s staff in 2014.

Reflecting on her path, Silberman remarked, “I am delighted to combine my knowledge and passion for the environment with my professional experience to help IBES accelerate solutions to pressing climate and sustainability challenges.”

With a role on the IBES Leadership Team, Silberman will lend key support to coordination, communication, and fundraising efforts at IBES.

“Personally and professionally, I am deeply committed to IBES' vision of building a just, sustainable world,” Silberman noted. “I'm honored to help implement the Strategic Plan, which will continue to build upon IBES' success as an agent of transformative global change.”

Silberman assumed her new role on January 22 and can be reached at  katie_silberman@brown.edu.