Vermont Business Magazine Brian Shupe, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources (VNRC), announced today that he will be stepping down at the end of this coming summer after serving in that position for nearly 13 years.
See Brian Shupe Letter to VNRC Membership Below
Will Lintilhac, Chair of the VNRC Board of Directors, shared, “The Board thanks Brian for all that he has done for VNRC. Much has changed in the past 13 years under his tenure, and much has been accomplished. He has demonstrated real leadership in guiding VNRC as a visionary organization working for a vibrant future for Vermont. Like any true leader, he knows when to step back and create space for new leadership to flourish. We are sorry about his decision to leave, but are confident that our Board and talented staff will navigate the transition well.”
Shupe joined VNRC as its Sustainable Communities Program Director in 2008 and transitioned into the Executive Director position in 2011. During Shupe’s tenure as Executive Director, VNRC has doubled its staff and budget, expanded its mission, and entered into a strategic partnership with Vermont Conservation Voters that has made both organizations stronger and more effective.
“Brian has provided the Board ample time to consider the process and timeline for his departure. We have established a Transition Committee made up of members of VNRC’s Board and our partner organization, Vermont Conservation Voters’ Board, to oversee the search for a new Executive Director and assist with the transition,” Lintilhac explained.
"I’m not ready to retire,” Shupe said, “I consider it repurposing. I’m ready for something different that allows me more time to enjoy Vermont’s outdoors, travel, and spend much less time online and in meetings.”
He went on to say, “It has been an incredible privilege to have served the state in this role, and to have worked with such outstanding and committed colleagues on both the staff and Board. I’m proud of where VNRC is today, and believe that we are well positioned for a new leader with a fresh vision to take the organization even further.”
Lintilhac added, “We are fortunate that Brian is leaving VNRC on solid footing. Our goal and expectation is to have a new person in the Executive Director role in August of this year. We expect a 4-6 week transition period following the hire, where we will retain the services of the transition consultant to help with the first pages of our new chapter.”
More information about VNRC’s leadership transition will be forthcoming at www.vnrc.org.
by Brian Shupe, Executive Director, VNRC
I’m writing to let you know that after nearly 13 years in what is arguably the best job in Vermont, I’ve decided to step down as the executive director of VNRC.
While I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life, the honor and pleasure of having worked closely with such talented and dedicated colleagues, and a committed and supportive Board, makes this a bittersweet decision for me. In what has truly been a team effort, VNRC has grown stronger and more effective since I assumed this role in October 2011, and we have a long list of accomplishments.
We have made significant progress on many of our priorities, including combatting the climate crisis by accelerating Vermont’s transition to clean energy and making our communities more resilient to the impacts of a warmer world. We have continued working to protect and restore Vermont’s waters, maintain forest health and wildlife habitat, and facilitate sustainable community development and affordable housing while discouraging sprawl. We have successfully engaged in strategic litigation on several occasions to ensure that laws are properly enforced and to achieve our goals when other options are not available.
We have also expanded our work to remove toxic chemicals from the environment, and launched an initiative to collaborate with landowners and state and federal officials to remove derelict dams to restore aquatic ecosystems and enhance public safety.
We have accomplished so much, in part, by reinvigorating our role as a convener and forging scores of partnerships and coalitions across the state. And, we have made important strides to integrate a commitment to equity and environmental justice in all aspects of our work.
I am proud to be leaving VNRC on solid financial footing and with strong systems in place. It is an excellent time to bring on a new leader with a fresh vision and the ability to build on over 60 years of efforts on behalf of Vermont’s natural resources, people and communities – and to take VNRC even further.
Our Board has established a succession committee who will be working with staff and an executive transition consultant over the coming months with the goal of bringing on a new Executive Director in August. I will stay on until that time to help ensure a smooth transition. Additional information about the transition process, and future updates, may be found here.
I can’t thank our members, partners, Board and staff enough for all of your support, collaboration and shared commitment to Vermont’s future. We have accomplished so much together, yet there remains much work ahead. I look forward to remaining engaged in a different role to continue promoting VNRC’s mission, one that will involve more time in the woods and less time in meetings, and more time reading books and less time reading emails.
Vermont Natural Resources Council. February 26, 2024