UCAR announces new director of external engagement and business development
Bonnie Meinke will focus on building stronger partnerships in academia and the public and private sectors
Sep 13, 2023 - by Staff
Bonnie Meinke has been named the new director of external engagement and business development at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Her first day will be Sept. 26, 2023.
Meinke is joining UCAR from the National Science Foundation’s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), where she has been working as the Associate Director for Science Engagement. Prior to that, Meinke worked in the Civil Space Strategic Business Unit at Ball Aerospace. At UCAR, she will help advance and enhance the organization’s role as an Earth system science community convener and thought leader by actively engaging partners in academia and the public and private sectors.
“Bonnie has a strong history of building strategic partnerships,” said UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi. “I am thrilled to see her bring her skills as a connector and relationship builder to this role and engage with colleagues both within UCAR, NCAR, and UCP and the broader Earth system science community.”
At NEON, Meinke's team developed and implemented a strategic engagement plan to help the research facility serve the scientific community. She also developed messaging and engagement efforts for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as a JWST Project Scientist. She earned a PhD in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and a BA in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to foster deeper connections with the business and academic communities, helping tell the story of UCAR’s impact through partnerships that advance our mission in support of science,” said Meinke. “I’m also looking forward to working with colleagues across NCAR, UCP, and UCAR to build on our culture of innovation and creativity.”
UCAR is a nonprofit consortium of 122 North American colleges and universities that grant degrees in the Earth system sciences. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research on behalf of the National Science Foundation.