Meet Our 2020 IEC Interns

IEC has always made it a focus to attract and develop the best and the brightest students interested in environmental, policy, and advocacy work in Iowa and beyond. 2020 requires some different planning and engagement, but we're thrilled to welcome three interns to work with us in critical areas this summer. 

Olivia Hicks - Communications Intern

Olivia Hicks joins the Iowa Environmental Council team as the Communications Intern for the summer of 2020. She is an environmental journalism student at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

While Washington state has expanded Olivia’s breadth of knowledge about U.S. environmental issues, Iowa is where her interest in environmental and energy policy began. Olivia was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School.

Olivia brings journalistic and social media experience from college reporting and writing for a student-run online magazine focused on Generation Z activists.

She is passionate about a variety of issues including press freedom and environmental justice, conservation, and policy. "I’m looking forward to bridging my interest in journalism and environmental science during my time at IEC. I am also excited to gain insight into the multi-dimensional human and environmental impact of several water, energy, and agricultural-related issues and communicate those to a broad audience.”

Reach Olivia at ohicks@iaenvironment.org. 

Grace Holbrook - Water Program Intern

Grace Holbrook is a rising second-year law student at the University of Iowa, who is planning on pursuing work in environmental law after graduation. Grace is spending her third summer with IEC, assisting the water program again this summer after working with the team in 2019 and serving as a communications intern in the summer of 2018.

"I’ve worked with the Iowa Environmental Council for the past three years and have loved every part of it. I’ve been interested in environmental issues since I was young, especially surrounding water quality." 

Grace says IEC has helped empower her to be as involved as possible with environmental law and policy at all levels of impact.

Reach Grace at holbrook@iaenvironment.org.

Katie Luzier - Legal Intern

Katie Luzier joined the Iowa Environmental Council team in June as a Legal Intern. From Norwalk, Iowa, Katie received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Geology from ISU and is working towards her Law degree from Drake University.

Katie's interest in issues on environmental regulation and nutrient management stems from spending her summers on or around Iowa's lakes. Says Katie, "I am excited to learn more about environmental advocacy at the state and local levels."

During her time with IEC, Katie will be assisting with research on concentrated animal feeding operations, clean energy activities in other states, and more. 

Reach Katie at luzier@iaenvironment.org.