IRE is pleased to announce that Lynnie McIlvain, most recently of InvestigateWest, will join the team as director of development on May 18.

As development director, Lynnie brings 7 years of fundraising experience and a deep commitment to integrity and servant leadership to IRE. In 2024, she began fundraising for investigative journalism to get on the front line of the fight for public and social integrity. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), an alumna of Clark College and the University of Puget Sound (bachelor's in Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies), and a classically educated historian. She splits her time between Portland, OR and Tacoma, WA, and in her off time, she writes, reads omnivorously, volunteers, and travels with her companions.

"I am honored to join this team at such an important time for the organization, and look forward to building even more capacity and impact for investigative journalism and journalists through IRE’s crucial work," she said.

"We are thrilled to welcome Lynnie to the team, especially during such an important time for the organization," Interim Executive Director Lauren Grandestaff said. "She shares our values that investigative journalism is crucial for a healthy democracy, and her proven track record of supporting journalism in her fundraising work at InvestigateWest will help IRE meet this current and critical moment in our history as an organization and industry."

Please join us in welcoming Lynnie to the IRE community! You'll have a chance to meet her at the 2026 IRE Conference in National Harbor, June 18 through 21 or even sooner if you'll be at the 2026 Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit in Philadelphia next week.

May 12, 2026