Mary Hogue, Chair, is Chair of the Town of Fairfield Forestry, and a member of the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force, Fairfield League of Women Voters and co-founder and member of Sustainable Fairfield County. She is a board member of Pollinator Pathway, Mill River Wetland Committee, Co-President of FairPLAN (Fairfield's Protecting Land and Neighborhoods), and was on the State Vegetative Management Task Force (SVMTF). Mary is a certified Project Management Professional and a graduate of the UConn Master Gardener, Master Composter and Meskwaka tree programs, the CT-NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Organic Landcare Professional program, and the Maine Compost School. Hogue has also been involved for many years with the Connecticut Audubon Society, Mill River Wetland Committee, Aspetuck Land Trust, Fairfield PTAs and many other civic organizations. She has been honored as “Fairfielder of the Year” and Aquarion’s “Volunteer of the Year” for her advocacy work on the environment.
Pippa Bell Ader, Vice Chair, an Occupational Therapist with 21 years of experience in New York City and Boston, brings a deep commitment to environmental advocacy to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Board. Pippa has degrees from Columbia University and Tufts University, she has played a significant role in the region's sustainability initiatives, working with the Bridgeport’s Green Village Initiative and Sustainable Westport. Her leadership resulted in Westport winning the US Department of Energy Neighbor-to-Neighbor Home Energy Challenge and achieving Sustainable CT certification. Pippa's legislative impact is evident through her work with the Parents Concussion Coalition, updating youth concussion management laws in Connecticut. When Pippa was Co-chair of Westport’s League of Women Voters she emphasized the importance of sustainability. Her wealth of experience makes her a valuable addition to further CTLCV's mission.
Thomas J. Kehoe, Treasurer, is a retired attorney, graduating from the College of Holy Cross and Hofstra University Law School. He previously stood on the general counsel of the US Services Sector for Alstom Power Inc., later acquired by GE from which company he retired. He previously was on the general counsel for the Electric Boat Corporation and Regional Counsel in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Combustion Engineering Inc. stationed in London, England. Tom is currently on board of directors and treasurer for the CTLCV, is the Director of Great Meadows Conservation Trust, a member of the President’s Council College of the Holy Cross, and on the Board of Advisors for New England Public Media. He is married to Peggy Bradley Kehoe, with 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and is a lifelong skier.
Earl Brecks is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in accounting, process improvement and strategic program management. Throughout his career, Earl has been consistently recognized for driving impactful results with a thoughtful and collaborative approach toward problem solving. He now brings his wide array of skills to the CTLCV to aid in its continued success. Although now a long-time New Englander, Earl is a transplant from the greater St. Louis area and a proud graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, with degrees in both Accounting and Management. He lives in Cromwell with his wife Jennifer and their two sons, spending much of his leisure time coaching youth basketball and soccer.
Maggie Carey,is an attorney with a background in international environmental law and policy, specifically related to our oceans and seas. Most recently, she served as Oceans Advisor to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a coalition of small island and low lying nations which function as an ad hoc lobby and negotiating voice within the United Nations system on issues related to climate change, sustainable development and ocean conservation. Before moving to Connecticut, Maggie resided in Washington D.C., where she advocated to end illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing world-wide with the Pew Charitable Trusts. Maggie earned a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies cum laude from the University of Miami, holds a J.D. degree from American University, Washington College of Law and is licensed to practice law in D.C. and New York. Noticing detrimental changes to her local marine environment over the years while snorkeling and scuba diving throughout her childhood in south Florida ignited Maggie's passion for environmental protection and ocean conservation. She still enjoys water sports activities and is also an avid snowboarder.
Yaw Darko's journey in conservation began as the Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellow at the CT Land Conservation Council (CLCC) in 2020, progressing to Senior Project Specialist. Responsible for administering funding programs and coordinating initiatives like Bird & Hike with CT Land Trusts, Yaw demonstrates a commitment to equity and justice in environmental matters as the Chair of the Land Subcommittee on the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council. With a background in psychology and a Master's in Public Administration, his diverse experience in farming, personal training, tutoring, counseling, and facilities maintenance makes Yaw a valuable member of the board, combining expertise and passion for conservation.
Reggy Saint Fortcolin is a conservationist, community organizer, and food justice advocate working at the intersection of land access, food security, and environmental equity. He is the founder and Executive Director of Sovereign Land Trust, where he advances sustainable agriculture and generational land stewardship for marginalized communities. Reggy also leads statewide efforts like Fridgeport and the CT Food Sovereignty Collective, which provide direct food access to over 1,200 people each week. He has spearheaded food policy initiatives at the state level, including legislation to establish a Food and Nutrition Policy Analyst, and currently serves as Farm Bill Policy Lead for the New CT Farmers Alliance. Reggy is also a member of the CEEJAC Land Subcommittee and a founding member of the Liberated Land Cooperative.
BOARD ALUMNI
Wildaliz Bermudez Timothy Bowles Alan Brewster Issac Cohen Julio A. Concepcion
TJ Dubeansky Thomas Harrison Sharon E. Lewis Amy Merli Tom Swarr
