The Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSiX) has appointed Kim Kopko Ph.D. ’05 as its first managing director. In this role, Kopko will be responsible for PSiX’s day-to-day operations and shape PSiX’s vision, strategy, business model, strategic initiatives, and partnerships. Kopko assumed the role on August 1, 2025.
“We are ecstatic to have Kim join us in this role,” said Anthony Burrow, PSiX director. “The expertise and experience Kim has will be immensely beneficial as PSiX continues to grow.”
Kopko is the director of The Parenting Project: Healthy Children, Families & Communities, which, like PSiX, is housed in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research at Cornell Human Ecology. The Parenting Project supports parent educators across the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) system by offering research-based resources that strengthen their work with parents and families. The project also conducts evaluations of CCE parent education programs across New York State and community assessments to help counties identify and address local parenting education needs. Kopko will continue to direct the project.
Kopko received her Ph.D in child development. Her research interests are in parenting and youth development, parental beliefs and child learning, and developing portable parenting models. Kopko has been a sought-after expert on the topics of cell phone use in schools, youth social media use, and the importance of play for young children.
With this new role, Kopko will relinquish her roles as associate director of Cornell Cooperative Extension and associate director of Extension and Outreach for Cornell Human Ecology. But, the experiences Kopko has acquired in those roles, she said, will benefit PSiX as it continues to grow.
“I am grateful for the time spent in my leadership roles in Cornell Cooperative Extension and absolutely thrilled to move into the role of PSiX managing director and to become an integral part of this vibrant, energetic and innovative work on the research and application of purpose science.”
