Employee Spotlight: Ian Hamilton 

Throughout February and March, we’re showcasing one of FMP’s key capability areas: Strategic Communications. We kicked things off with a blog about navigating change in the workplace amidst uncertainty, and this week we’re spotlighting Ian Hamilton, a consultant and member of FMP’s Strategic Communications Community of Practice (Strat Comms CoP). Ian earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s degree in applied industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology from George Mason University. A fun fact about Ian is that he likes to surf and recently returned from a surfing trip in Costa Rica. Keep reading to learn more about Ian, his journey to FMP, and his involvement in the Strategic Communications CoP. 

Tell us about your professional/educational background. 

Throughout college, I had planned to enter the environmental field, but a few months after I graduated, the COVID-19 pandemic started, which made it impossible to find a job in my chosen field. I was fortunate to find work as a carpenter’s assistant while I waited for the job market to improve. It was there that I began to think about a career change. I developed a strong interest in how work conditions and culture affect people’s mental health and well-being, which led me to pursue my master’s degree in I-O psychology. During my studies, I landed an internship with FMP, where I’ve remained ever since, building a career focused on improving people’s work experiences. 

When you’re not working, where can we find you? 

Outside of work, you’ll most likely find me in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, where I spend time with friends and family. If I’m not watching whatever Philadelphia sports game is on, I’m likely on one of the many disc golf courses near me, exploring the city’s diverse food scene and local shops, or cooking some homemade pasta.  

What do you like the most about working at FMP? 

This an easy one – the people and culture! What I love about FMP is that excellence and support go hand in hand. While we hold ourselves to high standards in our client work, there’s also a genuine spirit of collaboration and encouragement. My colleagues not only push me to grow, but also actively help me get there, whether that means brainstorming innovative solutions or offering guidance on complex or ambiguous projects. It’s refreshing to work somewhere where people are both passionate about their work and invested in helping their teammates succeed. 

What is exciting to you about strategic communications? 

The more I learn about this field, the more I appreciate its role in everything we do. At its core, strategic communications is about understanding your audience and finding the best way to share information and ideas with them. Whether I’m presenting project findings to clients, collaborating with team members, or highlighting the impact of completed work, I’ve seen how effective communication can make the difference between a project moving forward smoothly or getting stuck. It’s satisfying to help people connect and understand each other better through clear, purposeful communication. 

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Strategic Communications Community of Practice? 

Being part of the Strat Comms CoP allows me to learn from others and exchange ideas. It’s a great opportunity to discover new skills to develop, gain different perspectives, and stay connected with others in the field. 

What is your favorite strategic communications project you’ve been involved in and why? 

My favorite strategic communications project to date was creating an Annual Report for one of FMP’s key practice areas. It was the largest communications project I’ve worked on (20 pages), which gave me the opportunity to apply a variety of skills I’ve been developing. I had the chance to create the graphics used throughout the report, collaborate with my team to create the written content, and think strategically about how the content within the report should be structured in order to keep the reader engaged. 

Zoe Nerantzis joined FMP as a Consultant in May 2021 and works with the National Science Foundation team by supporting NSF’s learning and development branch. Zoe is from Rockville, Maryland and can generally be found reading fantasy novels, working out in her basement, or rooting for the Washington Football team.