Kelly Merchán
Kelly Merchán is the Director of Marketing & Communication at Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, where she leads strategic communications to bring the center’s research-to-impact mission to life. Her work focuses on elevating stories that show how innovative sustainability research and partnerships can drive real-world solutions for people and the planet. Her work on strategic communications, branding, and digital media helps translate bold sustainability ideas into compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
Before joining Cornell Atkinson, she spent 5 years managing communications for Global Development in Cornell CALS with a focus on communications strategy, storytelling, web copy, social media, and internal communications. Prior to relocating to Ithaca, she lived in Cuenca, Ecuador for four years, serving as Program Director at a local nonprofit. There, she co-founded and led a capacity-building program for nonprofits, and convened more than 50 grassroots leaders to launch a regional nonprofit network.
Kelly holds an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University’s School of International Service, where she focused on community-based reconciliation and localized peacebuilding. She earned dual B.A.s in International Studies and Anthropology from Towson University, with a focus on resource conflicts and social movements in Latin America.
Outside of work, Kelly finds joy in exploring the outdoors, hiking, running, drinking coffee, reading, traveling, and learning something new every day.