Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: idemaris@iowafaithandclimate.org
Phone: 515-216-4895

Irene DeMaris is the Executive Director of Iowa Faith & Climate Network, where she has driven the organization through transformative and strategic change to grow its mission. Under her leadership, the organization has successfully navigated significant transitions, expanded its programming, and realigned its efforts to meet the evolving needs of faith communities in Iowa. Irene has enhanced the network's policy advocacy efforts, substantially increased fundraising, and spearheaded the modernization of operational systems, and the strengthening of partnerships with key organizations.

She has played a critical role in securing faith-based climate action in Iowa by expanding the board, fostering stronger community engagement, and leading the creation of a new strategic plan. This effort resulted in a name change and a bold new mission, vision, values, and set of strategic focus areas that will guide the organization’s impact for years to come.

Irene’s career is marked by a deep commitment to faith-based social justice. She has dedicated herself to empowering individuals and communities to take meaningful action on issues of justice. Before moving to Iowa in 2018, Irene served as the Associate Director for the Center for Public Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and was an Organizing Fellow with Faith in Public Life. She joined Iowa IPL in 2020 as a multi-issue organizer, quickly advancing to associate director and acting executive director before earning the permanent role of executive director.

She is a United Methodist Deaconess, committed to a lifetime of love, justice, and service. Irene also serves on the board of Wespath Benefits and Investments, the General Board of Pensions and Benefits for The United Methodist Church. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Washington State University and a Master of Divinity from Seattle University.

Outside of her professional role, Irene enjoys cooking with her spouse, walking her dogs, riding bikes, reading mystery novels, and dreaming of a more just and sustainable world.