The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) is excited to announce the addition of a new full-time staff member to the Initiative. Ingrid Gronstal (11JD, 05BS) joined HELI as the HELI research fellow on January 31, 2023.
Ingrid, a 2011 Iowa Law grad, is eager to serve the Iowa Law community in this new role. Since graduation, Ingrid has worked primarily in environmental law and policy in Iowa. Most recently, she served as the water program director at the Iowa Environmental Council, working on legislative, legal, and administrative fronts to improve and protect water quality in Iowa.
Ingrid also previously worked for the University of Iowa as an environmental compliance specialist with Utilities and Energy Management, ensuring that university operations followed state and federal environmental regulations. She also worked as a consultant with the University of Iowa's Office of Sustainability and Iowa Learning Farms.
“We are delighted to welcome Ingrid as the first HELI research fellow. She has an impressive background in environmental law and policy here in Iowa and has already helped to strengthen our campus and community connections,” expressed HELI's faculty director, Shannon Roesler.
Because of the Hubbell’s generous gift, Ingrid’s work will primarily involve research and writing on environmental law and policy issues related to the work of the newly established initiative, resulting in white papers, blog posts, and other similar work products. She will also be using her previous experience to build connections between HELI, Iowa law students, environmental practitioners, and other organizations and individuals across the state and region.
"I am thrilled to be back at Iowa Law working for HELI. This is an excellent opportunity to dig deeper into environmental law issues in Iowa and beyond, as well as set students up for successful careers in environmental law. I could not be more pleased to be serving in this new role," noted Ingrid.
Ingrid will also assist the initiative's program director with projects such as conferences and workshops and help create content for podcasts and other social media outlets.
“In her few short weeks in the role thus far, Ingrid has already added so much experience and context to various projects HELI is working on. We are thrilled to see her continue to grow in this Research Fellow role,” said Blake Rupe, HELI’s program director.
As HELI’s research fellow, Ingrid will have access to important research support including legal research tools, travel funds, and even the opportunity to hire law student research assistants, which will give current Iowa Law students unique opportunities to build skills and networks in environmental law and policy.
Ingrid will be in full-time residence at Iowa Law during her year as the Initiative’s research fellow.
