Lisa Shanahan Appointed to Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors
Shanahan brings deep experience in environmental stewardship, municipal leadership, and sustainable community development to the Board
HARTFORD, Conn. – (February 11, 2026) – The Connecticut Green Bank today announced the appointment of Lisa Shanahan to its Board of Directors. Shanahan was appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and brings a strong record of public service, environmental advocacy, and legal and governance experience to the Green Bank’s leadership.
“Lisa Shanahan has been a champion for environmental progress in Norwalk for years, and I'm thrilled she'll now bring that same dedication to the Connecticut Green Bank," said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. "Her hands-on experience with land conservation and sustainability policy will help the Green Bank continue its critical work investing in clean energy and environmental infrastructure across Connecticut."
Shanahan’s work reflects a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable community development. She has served on the Norwalk Land Trust since 2012, including as vice president from 2016 to 2021 and president from 2021 until the organization’s recent merger with the Aspetuck Land Trust, where she now serves on the board. She was appointed to the Norwalk Conservation Commission in 2019 and served three terms on the Norwalk Common Council, where she chaired the Ordinance Committee and helped advance numerous sustainability-focused initiatives.
“I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Green Bank, an organization that has pioneered the bridge between environmental stewardship and economic development,” said Lisa Shanahan. “Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how local initiatives, such as sustainable land use and green infrastructure, can strengthen our communities. I look forward to bringing this experience to the Green Bank to help it increase and accelerate investment in environmental infrastructure and ensure a resilient green economy for all Connecticut residents.”
As chair of the Council’s first Sustainability Committee, Shanahan led efforts to engage stakeholders and develop Norwalk’s first conservation plan, while also working closely with city leadership to advance ordinances related to trees, pesticides, Complete Streets, and other environmental priorities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to the Board of the Green Bank. Her extensive background in municipal governance and her proven track record of advancing local green initiatives align perfectly with our mission to confront climate change. Lisa’s hands-on experience and her deep understanding of environmental policy will be instrumental as we continue to scale our investments in environmental infrastructure to every corner of Connecticut,” said Lonnie Reed, Chair of the Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors.
In addition to her public service, Shanahan is an attorney. After earning her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, she practiced law at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago and later worked at The Northern Trust Company. Since returning to Connecticut, she has held leadership roles on numerous nonprofit and cultural boards.
“Lisa’s addition to our Board comes at a pivotal moment as the Green Bank continues to ensure that the benefits of the green economy reach every household in Connecticut. We are eager to integrate her local perspective, expertise in municipal policy, and passion for community-driven conservation into our statewide strategy,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank.
For more information about the Green Bank’s governance, please visit https://www.ctgreenbank.com/about-us/governance/.
About the Connecticut Green Bank
The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation’s first state-level green bank and has since supported the creation of more than 30,000 green jobs in the state, while reducing the energy cost burden on over 71,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits. The Green Bank’s vision is a planet protected by the love of humanity and its mission is to confront climate change by increasing and accelerating investment into Connecticut’s green economy to create more resilient, healthier, and equitable communities. This is accomplished by leveraging limited public resources to scale-up and mobilize private capital investment into Connecticut. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for their “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” entry. To date, the Green Bank has mobilized more than $3 billion into the State’s green economy. This has reduced the energy costs for thousands of families and businesses, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and worsen public health. In 2021, the Green Bank’s model was expanded to include new areas of environmental infrastructure, related to climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services.
For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com.
For More Information, Contact:
Rudy Sturk (rudy.sturk@ctgreenbank.com)