Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters since 2018, has been named executive director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council, effective Aug. 19. She succeeds Brian Shupe, who strongly endorsed Hierl's appointment.
“Lauren is a smart, capable leader with the skills needed to further expand the critical role that VNRC plays in shaping Vermont policies around climate, environmental protection and community development,” Shupe said.
Hierl, who currently serves as president of the Montpelier City Council, brings to her new role a strong record of growing Vermont Conservation Voters into an impactful organization that successfully advocates for strong environmental laws and helped to elect a supermajority of pro-environment lawmakers. In addition to her experience leading VCV, she also has a deep background in conservation and advocacy work at organizations including the Alaska Wilderness League and National Audubon Society in Washington, D.C., and at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group in Montpelier.
Hierl is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds Master of Public Policy and Master of Environmental Management degrees from Duke University.