Kelly Merchán

About

Kelly Merchán is a communications specialist in the Department of Global Development. She highlights the department’s impactful work at home and abroad through storytelling, web copy, social media and internal communications. She also serves as the communications specialist for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement. She believes that information is a powerful tool that can ignite positive change in communities around the globe.

Before joining the team at Cornell, Kelly lived and worked in Cuenca, Ecuador for 4 years, where she designed and directed the country’s first capacity building program for nonprofit and grassroots leaders. Aside from the communications field, she has a background in project management, conflict resolution, Latin American studies and community building. 

Kelly holds a M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University and a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies from Towson University. Kelly currently resides in Ithaca with her husband, Eduardo. In her free time, Kelly can be found running or hiking trails, drinking coffee, planning travels, and learning about other cultures. 

Her daily mission statement: contribute to the betterment of the world.