About – Staff

IPI STAFF

Barbara Trionfi

Executive Director

With an academic background in international relations and human rights, Barbara Trionfi joined the International Press Institute (IPI) in 2000 as a press freedom adviser for the Asia-Pacific region, where she had studied and worked for over two years, carrying out research in the field of human rights and freedom of expression.

Later, as press freedom manager, she oversaw IPI’s global press freedom activities. Today, as executive director, she manages IPI’s operations in line with the overall strategy defined by the IPI executive board.

Barbara has taught courses at Webster University – Vienna in Media Ethics, Media Literacy and Cultural Diversity and the Media.

Her field of expertise covers different areas related to press freedom and freedom of expression, including self-regulatory media accountability systems, safety of journalists, and international mechanisms to protect press freedom.

Scott Griffen

Deputy Director

Scott Griffen joined IPI in 2012 as press freedom adviser, focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean. As director of press freedom programmes, he helps plan and oversee IPI’s long-term project work and helps guide the organisation’s overall strategy in defence of press freedom and freedom of expression worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Yale University and a master’s degree in global ethics from King’s College London.

Steven M. Ellis

Director of Advocacy and Communications

Steven M. Ellis coordinates IPI’s advocacy and communication activities, and previously served as senior press freedom adviser, focusing on Europe and North America. Before joining IPI he was a reporter for daily newspaper The Metropolitan News-Enterprise covering courts and the legal community in Los Angeles. He graduated magna cum laude from the Michigan State University College of Law and is a licensed attorney in Illinois and Michigan, where he practiced law after serving as a legal clerk in the Office of Executive Counsel to the Governor of Michigan. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and has worked in public and government relations.

Martin Leonhartsberger

Head of Finance and Administration

Martin Leonhartsberger is a certified public accountant and has over 15 years experience in finance and administration working for companies such as GEWISTA WerbegesmbH, PROGRESS Werbe, VerlagsgmbH, Altstoff Recycling Austria AG, Manpower GmbH and more recently Philips Austria GmbH.

Martin ensures the smooth operation of all of IPI’s financial and administrative needs.

Javier Luque Martínez

Digital Media Coordinator

Javier Luque Martínez coordinates advocacy and communication on IPI’s digital platforms. He holds a master’s degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University and bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology. Prior to joining IPI, he worked as a foreign correspondent in Los Angeles, covering the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several online publications and over 40 TV channels across the United States and Latin America. He also previously worked as a crime reporter for Cadena SER, the main nationwide radio station in Spain.

Christiane Klint

Membership and Global Relations Manager

Christiane Klint has been working with IPI since 1993 with a primary focus on communicating with IPI’s members and acquiring new members. Christiane also provides support and planning advice on congresses, conferences and other IPI activities, as well as outreach, marketing and fundraising. Christiane grew up in Mexico City and attended the German school there. She also studied at York University in Toronto and at the University of Vienna.

Milica Miletic

Conference and Events Manager

Milica Miletic plans, manages and develops IPI conferences, events and seminars, including the IPI World Congress, IPI’s biggest annual press freedom event. In addition to event management, she contributes extensively to event-related programme development, selection of topics and speakers, and design and marketing. Prior to joining IPI in 2009, she worked for the Media Center Belgrade and the South East Europe Network for Professionalisation of Media (SEENPM). She holds degrees in journalism and media studies from the University of Belgrade and is a member of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia.

Silvia Morales

Outreach and Engagement Manager

Silvia Morales was born in Manila, the Philippines and grew up in Madrid, Spain. As IPI’s Outreach and Engagement Manager, Silvia oversees IPI’s presence and reach by developing strategies for marketing and awareness as well as by developing relationships with a wide range of national and international partners and donors. Silvia also works closely with the membership and event teams. Before joining IPI, she was the Madrid Corporate and Partnership manager for UNICEF Spain, where she worked for four years specialising in corporate fundraising and marketing campaigns.

Helena Soares

Development and Programmes Manager

Helena Soares works closely with the press freedom team and oversees institutional fundraising opportunities for IPI’s long-term projects in support of press freedom and freedom of expression worldwide. Before joining IPI in Vienna, she worked as a Fundraising Officer for Global Witness in London, where she assisted in the management of extensive grants portfolios, donor stewardship and building relationships with international partners. Helena holds an MA in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University.