CT Audubon Appoints New VP and Exec Director

Stewart J. Hudson of Madison, CT has been named vice president and executive director of Audubon Connecticut.

Hudson will lead and implement conservation goals and strategies in the state and will expand the geographic reach of Audubon Connecticut’s programs across the state and the region, according to a release from Audubon.

“Stewart is a star in the conservation world and we’re lucky to have him join Audubon Connecticut,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold in the release. “He’s a proven leader on policy, science, climate change and green finance and that’s a great fit for Audubon.”

Audubon Connecticut, a state program of the National Audubon Society, dates to 1941 with the establishment of the Audubon Center in Greenwich as the first National Audubon Society Nature Education Center in the country. 

Over the years, the program has grown to include three centers, four major sanctuaries and a number of smaller sanctuaries protecting 4,500 acres and providing environmental education programs to more than 50,000 people each year. Audubon Connecticut employs 28 biologists, educators and advocates.

Hudson comes to Audubon from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation where he served as president for the past 12 years. During this time he directed the foundation’s grant making in clean energy and climate protection, learning disabilities and contemporary visual art which together constituted a portfolio of over $45 million in grants. He also played a central role in the management of the foundation’s $85 million endowment, according to the release.

Hudson began his career as a senior legislative aide to U.S. Senator Lowell Weicker, drafting legislation, working on the Senate floor and covering a range of issues with a focus on federal budget and tax policy. His leadership and professional expertise extends into environment and energy policy, trade and investment issues as well as non-profit governance and management. In 2008 and again in 2012, he served on the Environment and Energy Policy Committee of the Obama Presidential Campaign. Prior to this, Hudson served in a variety of senior positions at the National Wildlife Federation including as senior legislative representative in the International Programs and as vice president for Educational Outreach. 

Currently, Hudson serves on the Keystone Energy Board and the Coalition for Green Capital.  He is also on the advisory board of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, Environment Northeast and is a member of Friends of the Connecticut Mirror. Previously, he was founding chair of the energy marketing group SmartPower and executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute-USA.

Hudson has a degree in history from Yale University and holds a master’s in international development from American University. An avid tennis player, birder, hiker and canoeist, Hudson is a happily married father of two.

Hudson will begin his new role effective September 3, 2013. While his base will be at the Audubon Connecticut headquarters in Greenwich, he will spend a significant amount of time at Audubon’s other nature centers, chapters, sanctuaries and projects across the state.