The Conservation Alliance changes leadership, Brady Robinson to serve as executive director
A new leader will take the helm of The Conservation Alliance on November 1. Brady Robinson has been named the latest executive director of the alliance, a collective of businesses that support the efforts of grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where people recreate. Brady takes over from John Sterling, who served on the board of the organization since 1996 and became the first executive director in 2004.
Robinson was selected for the role after a nine-month search. He has many years as a conservationist, climber, and educator, including more than a decade at Outward Bound and 11 years at the Access Fund, which keeps climbing areas preserved and open for climbing. He was also the founding board chair of the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition partner with The Conservation Alliance. In his most current role, he served as Director of Strategy and Development for Tompkins Conservation, which creates land and marine national parks in South America.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to have the opportunity to help lead this organization,” Robinson said. “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.” One of Robinson’s first responsibilities will be participating in the organization’s three-year strategic planning retreat with a goal of identifying long-term intentions for the organization.
Robinson spent his childhood in rural Minnesota. Trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area instilled in him a lifelong love of the outdoors. Robinson grew to be an accomplished climber and alpinist, with first ascents in both Patagonia and Pakistan.
Since The Conservation Alliance began in 1989, it has awarded 650 grants of over $22 million to protect more than 52 million acres of wildlands and 3,112 miles of river. The alliance has also stopped or removed 34 dams, designated five marine reserves and purchased 14 climbing areas.
