Lynn Stoddard

Lynn Stoddard has served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University since 2014.  Under Lynn’s leadership the Institute founded and administers Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities to become more vibrant, connected, healthy, and resilient.  Believing that successful and enduring endeavors evolve from within, Lynn and her team engaged representatives of every town across Connecticut to help develop the program framework.  Within the first 2 years, over half of the state’s municipalities are registered and progressing on actions that make our communities great places to live, work, play, and visit.  Forty-seven towns and cities (over ¼ of those in the state) have earned the prestigious Sustainable CT certification, demonstrating significant achievements across nine impact areas ranging from inclusive and equitable services and decision-making to thriving local economies, from vibrant arts and culture to clean transportation and diverse affordable housing.  

In addition to Lynn’s leadership of Sustainable CT, she is a 2019 Honoree of the CT Women’s Hall of Fame, a board member of the Connecticut Green Building Council, and she served on the Governor’s Council on Climate Change.  Lynn coordinates Eastern Connecticut State University’s climate and sustainability initiatives and has been part of many statewide programs and public policy developments on climate change, energy efficiency, recycling, and materials management.  As a volunteer in her local community, she chairs Mansfield’s Sustainability Committee, served as president of the board of the Willimantic Food Coop, and chaired a grass-roots group favoring a smart growth approach for Storrs Center.   An enthusiastic gardener, composter, and frequent bike-commuter, Lynn strives to live her values and create positive models for change.  In 2013, Lynn and her husband started the Adventure Park at Storrs, a sustainably designed aerial forest park that connects people with nature and their larger community.