The Conservation Alliance board of directors on Tuesday named Brady Robinson as the organization’s new executive director. Robinson will begin his role on November 1 replacing outgoing ED John Sterling.
Robinson’s career as a conservationist, climber, and educator includes more than a decade at Outward Bound, and 11 years leading the Access Fund, the national organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserved. Robinson was the founding board chair of the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition partner with The Conservation Alliance. Most recently, he has been director of strategy and development for Tompkins Conservation, which creates terrestrial and marine national parks in Chile and Argentina, reintroduces missing species, and conserves biodiversity.
Robinson will take the helm from Sterling, who has been with the organization since 1996, serving on the board for seven years prior to becoming the organization’s first executive director in 2004. During his tenure at The Conservation Alliance, Sterling led the organization through sustained growth in membership and grantmaking, and launched a successful campaign to create an endowment, called the Legacy Fund.
Under his leadership, The Conservation Alliance built an impactful advocacy program, and worked with Conservation Alliance member companies to create the Public Lands Defense Fund. Most important, he was instrumental in creating a culture within the Alliance’s community of members that deeply values the protection of our wild places.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to have the opportunity to help lead this organization,” said Robinson. “With a crystal clear mission, 30-year history and healthy financial foundation, The Conservation Alliance is perfectly positioned to grow and play an even greater role in protecting wild places.”
Robinson joins the organization after a comprehensive nine-month search led by Conservation Alliance board member Tracy Brunz, divisional vice president of merchandising initiatives & operations at REI.
“The board recognized early on that finding the right individual to lead The Conservation Alliance would be some of the most important work we would do as a team. We remained patient, focused and intentional in seeking a leader who would meet our aspirations and engaged with an impressive array of candidates,” said Brunz. “Throughout the process, Brady stood out in meeting all of our expectations and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him joining The Conservation Alliance as our new Executive Director.”
Robinson will participate in the organization’s three-year strategic planning retreat, which takes place November 18-20. The goal of the retreat is to identify long-term intentions for the organization.
“The Conservation Alliance represents a community of outdoor enthusiasts and companies who join forces to protect North America’s remaining wild places. We are thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Brady Robinson, who truly embodies that spirit: a perfect combination of love for the outdoors and deep experience mobilizing and supporting others to fight for the places we care so deeply about,” said Hans Cole, director of environmental campaigns and advocacy at Patagonia. “Brady is a lifelong climber, a proven organizational leader, and a past partner and grantee of the Alliance. We’re excited to see what new energy and ideas he brings to achieve our mission – which, as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, has never been more critical.”
