Sustainable CT Staff Bio's
Jim Hunt
Communications Manager
860-259-4732
Jim is a 30-year professional in marketing, public relations, non-profit development, and collegiate communications. He's been a successful entrepreneur in web site and graphic design, a pioneer in the development of new media and cross-channel integration, and has worked on fundraising, member/donor, and circulation management campaigns for numerous progressive organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, and Harper's Magazine. Prior to joining Sustainable CT, Jim served as the communications manager for a five-division facilities department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for nearly 17 years, leading strategic communications efforts in support of a multi-billion-dollar capital construction plan that included waste reduction, sustainable energy, and cutting-edge green building design. Jim is an artist and writer, a husband, a father of two, and a brother. He's a graduate of the George Washington University School of Public Affairs.
Jessica LeClair
Senior Program Director
860-259-4767
Jessica serves as Sustainable CT’s liaison to municipalities. In this role Jessica directs municipal outreach, manages ongoing community engagement, and identifies and develops training opportunities for communities. Prior to joining the Sustainable CT program, Jessica was the program manager at the CT Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation. In that role, Jessica supported and tracked the Institute’s research and outreach projects intended to increase resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities in Connecticut to the growing impacts of climate change. Jessica also worked as an environmental analyst at the State of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), working in the Office of Climate Change, Technology, and Research. Among her many roles at DEEP, Jessica was responsible for producing the State’s annual greenhouse emissions inventory as well as assisting with the development and implementation of emissions reduction strategies from multiple sectors, most notably transportation. Jessica also oversaw the State’s Offsets program of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Inez Ortiz
Program Assistant
860-253-2969
Inez graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Science, majoring in environmental systems and sustainability science with a concentration in environmental policy. During her time at SCSU, Inez achieved a Sustainability Leadership Certificate, helped create and publish an interactive map of sustainable infrastructure on campus, and conducted research on the effectiveness of carbon pricing policies in reducing international greenhouse gas emissions. Her passion for sustainability science and environmental policy led her to an internship at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection from the fall of 2022 to the spring of 2023. During this time, she focused on research for policies and procedures and analyzing and organizing internal and external data.
Dorothy Piszczek
Program Assistant
860-253-2969
Dorothy graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Psychological Sciences. During her time at UConn, she served as President of the Avery Point Eco Husky Club and conducted a sustainability review of the Avery Point Campus. Dorothy has worked and volunteered in numerous communities, including as a Site Lead at an education non-profit in Washington, DC and as an Americorps NCCC volunteer. She is an avid hiker and recently completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Torin Radicioni
Program Assistant, Website & Admin. Support
860-259-4744
Torin graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Communications. He worked as an intern at the Institute for Sustainable Energy starting in May of 2018 and was hired as a Sustainable CT staff member in the fall of 2019. His work mainly revolves around social media management and website development.
Kate Richard
Program Manager for Sustainability Best Practices
860-259-4734
Kate has a background in climate change resilience and adaptation, sustainability outreach, and urban planning. She comes to Sustainable CT from the NYC Department of City Planning, where she worked on flood resiliency and land use issues. Previously, she worked in the University of Maryland's Office of Sustainability on campus greenhouse gas reductions, sustainability education, and food security programs. Kate has a BS in Environmental Science and Policy and a BA in English from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and crafting.
Lynn Stoddard
Executive Director
860-259-4729
Lynn is the founder and executive director of Sustainable CT. Sustainable CT was launched by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University (ISE) under Lynn’s leadership as executive director of ISE from 2014 to 2022. In 2022, Sustainable CT became a stand-alone nonprofit, continuing its mission foster inclusive, resilient, and vibrant Connecticut municipalities that provide opportunities for all to thrive. Lynn has over 25 years of experience in developing public policy and managing a broad range of environmental programs and worked at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for many years in areas including: climate change, energy efficiency, recycling, solid waste planning, pollution prevention, and coastal area management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Political Science from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Lynn is an enthusiastic gardener, composter, and frequent bike-commuter and strives to live her values and create positive models for change.