We are delighted to share that Mass Audubon’s Board of Directors has unanimously and enthusiastically elected David O’Neill to be the 11th President of Mass Audubon.
David has dedicated his professional career to conservation. For the last five years, he has served as the Chief Conservation Officer and Senior Advisor to the CEO of National Audubon Society (NAS). While there, his powerful vision, collaborative nature, and ability to raise critical funds elevated the entire organization. He led the development of NAS’s conservation strategies, helped to unify the state offices around a single vision, oversaw the organization’s policy, advocacy, and science agendas, and launched innovative programs to help fight the impacts of climate change.
“David is a committed, proven leader who can hit the ground running on day one, bringing a highly relational and visionary approach,” says Beth Kressley Goldstein, Mass Audubon’s Board Chair. “I could not be more excited for the future of Mass Audubon and look forward to this next chapter in our long history in the Commonwealth.”
Roles prior to his work at National Audubon include Vice President at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Director of Land Use Policy and Outreach for the Urban Land Institute. He is particularly inspired by our desire to expand our work on climate change, to tackle equity, diversity, and inclusion issues including our reach to new audiences, and to widen our lens to affect the health and resilience of Massachusetts, New England, and beyond.
David will join the organization in early June, succeeding Gary Clayton, who, after 30 years with Mass Audubon (the last five as president) will retire in May. David is looking forward to building on Gary’s legacy and working with him to get to know our community, including members like you. He is also ready and able to be an effective leader during the current health crisis.
A leadership transition in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis may cause uncertainties. However, the Board has deep confidence that the combination of the staff’s commitment and expertise and David’s leadership with counsel from Gary will ensure that the organization stays strong, impactful, and nimble.
