Stephen Posner, Ph.D., works at the intersection of ecological regeneration, social well-being, and human development—exploring how contemplative wisdom and systems thinking can support life in a time of transformation.
As Director of the Pathways to Planetary Health initiative at the Garrison Institute, Stephen convenes scientists, contemplative leaders, and changemakers to cultivate resilience, compassion, and ethical relationships with the Earth. He leads public forums, retreats, and research partnerships, and is helping to shape emerging program areas including Hudson Valley Resilience and Earth Awareness.
For over 20 years, Stephen has advanced environmental leadership across sectors. He has advised policymakers, funders, and companies on environmental initiatives, and has co-authored more than 50 scientific and public-facing publications on biodiversity, ecological economics, environmental governance, and food systems. His work has been published by The National Academy of Sciences, The Royal Society, journals like Sustainability Science and Environmental Science & Policy, and outlets such as The New York Times, The Hill, and Bloomberg Law, among others.
Previously, Stephen served as Director of Policy and Partnerships at the Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont, where he helped form a new Federal Center of Excellence on climate impact analysis, co-led the Vermont Climate Assessment, and launched a university-wide focus on environmental justice. He holds a Ph.D. in natural resources and ecological economics, studied science education at Stanford, and earned a B.S. in astrophysics.
