City of Norwalk Establishes First Director of Sustainability and Resilience Through ACCO's Future CCOs Program

The City of Norwalk, Connecticut announced on February 5, 2025 the appointment of Jodi Trendler as the city's first Director of Sustainability and Resilience. The role was established through ACCO's Future CCOs Post-Graduate Climate Fellowship Program.

"Cities establishing first-of-their-kind sustainability director roles face a real structural challenge: how to define the position, fund it, and find the right person," said Daniel Kreeger, Executive Director of the Association of Climate Change Officers. "Future CCOs was built specifically to support that process. Norwalk's appointment of Jodi Trendler is exactly the outcome the program is designed to produce."

The new American Rescue Plan Act-funded position will lead implementation of Norwalk's Sustainability and Resilience Plan, advise city leadership on policy development, and oversee integration of sustainable practices into city operations. The Director will also develop action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help secure grants and funding for sustainability projects.

"With the adoption of the Sustainability and Resilience Plan last March, we have a strong foundation to develop an implementation strategy that will drive real impact for the entire community," Trendler said in the city's announcement. "Engaging the community will continue to be at the heart of this work, ensuring that all residents have a voice in shaping a more sustainable, resilient future."

Trendler brings twenty years of sustainability experience, with prior roles including sustainability consultant for the Metropolitan Mayor Caucus Environmental Committee in Chicago, founding chairperson of the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force, and co-founder of the Resiliency Institute. She holds a master's degree in sustainability from Harvard University Extension School.

ACCO's Future CCOs Fellowship Program helps municipalities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations establish dedicated climate roles by providing a structured framework for recruitment, position development, and early professional support. Norwalk's appointment reflects a growing pattern: cities establishing first-of-their-kind climate roles to address operational, regulatory, and community needs that previously had no organizational home.

More information about the Future CCOs Fellowship Program is available at climateofficers.org/futureccos.