We are excited to announce that Meenal Harankhedkar has joined Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) as our new Executive Director as of Monday, September 23, 2024. Meenal brings more than two decades of experience in environmental restoration, land conservation, and community stewardship. Her leadership will be instrumental in guiding IPC’s mission to inspire and equip faith communities to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

With advanced degrees in both Horticulture and Botany, Meenal has led numerous landscape and restoration projects across the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Her extensive knowledge of native plant species, stormwater management, and ecological restoration makes her particularly skilled in addressing environmental challenges in shoreline, forest, and urban ecosystems. She has worked on a variety of conservation initiatives, from eradicating invasive species to promoting the use of native plants, and her work has directly contributed to preserving the biodiversity and health of these vital ecosystems.

Most recently, Meenal served as the Director of Horticulture at Historic London Town & Gardens (HLTG) in Edgewater, MD. At HLTG, she led living collections management, capital infrastructure improvement projects, strategic planning initiatives, local and national level partnerships, restoration and landscape management projects, and engaged the surrounding community in environmental stewardship programs aimed at protecting and enhancing habitats.

In addition to her work at Historic London Town, Meenal is deeply involved in the broader conservation community. She currently serves as one of the Directors at Large on the National Board of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), where she collaborates with over 600 public gardens across the U.S. to shape conservation strategies and promote environmental sustainability. At APGA, Meenal serves on the Advocacy committee. Meenal is also the President of Unity Gardens, a local non-profit in Anne Arundel County that focuses on promoting healthy habitats through native plant conservation. Under her leadership, Unity Gardens has empowered local communities to create and maintain ecologically beneficial green spaces. Her leadership has extended beyond the technical aspects of environmental management, over the years, she has also fostered strong community relationships and created educational programs for all age groups, inspiring residents to become active participants in conservation efforts.

A key element of Meenal’s career has been her passion for conservation of species and dedication to environmental education and outreach. Whether through leading community-based restoration projects or developing educational workshops, Meenal has consistently worked to empower individuals and communities to take ownership of their local environments. Her initiatives have brought together diverse groups of people to learn about and engage in environmental stewardship, with a focus on conservation of species, protecting native habitats and addressing the critical challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

Since stepping into her role at IPC, Meenal has already hit the ground running. She recently attended the Maryland League of Conservation Voters' Chesapeake Changemakers event, where she met with key environmental leaders and discussed innovative solutions for protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Shortly thereafter, Meenal participated in IPC's Baltimore Boat Tour, where she engaged with IPC supporters and conservation experts, learning firsthand about the Harbor Wetlands Project and discussing its importance for the health of Baltimore’s waterways.

As we look to the future, we are excited to see how Meenal’s leadership and wealth of experience will shape IPC’s work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Her strong background in conservation of species, ecological restoration, combined with her passion for community engagement, positions IPC to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the years ahead.