A Fond Farewell From Catherine O’Riordan

by Catherine O’Riordan, Executive Director

Early last fall, I let then-President Stephanie Hampton know that, after more than 25 years in association management — and the past eight as Executive Director of ESA — I would retire in early 2026. I am deeply proud of all that we have accomplished together during my time at ESA. Our staff, in close partnership with committees, the Governing Board, and our donors has not only strengthened existing programs, but also launched new initiatives that advance our mission. The board has asked me to provide a more detailed perspective of my time with ESA in a Bulletin article, so what follows are just a few highlights.

When I joined ESA in 2018, one of our priorities was a comprehensive review of the Society’s governance. Two rounds of bylaw changes later, ESA has a governance structure that is well-positioned to guide it into its second century. The Council was reimagined as a representative body that advises the board and amplifies the voices of our sections and chapters — the heart of our membership. Council has since launched four new sections and two new chapters, bringing us to a total of 44 affinity groups where members can connect and find community.

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Other major accomplishments of the past eight years include:

• We completed a visionary report shaping ESA’s direction for the next decade, supported by our current strategic plan to guide implementation.
• Invested reserve funds to launch new programs, including a new journal and expanded professional development opportunities for ecologists in academia, government, and the private sector.
• Evolved our Annual Meeting to better serve our members, with friendlier formats and new career programming.
• Renewed our publishing partnership with Wiley, ensuring continued excellence across our portfolio.
• Strengthened ESA’s contributions to science policy and major government initiatives.
• Expanded opportunities to advance diversity and inclusion across the society.

I am grateful to the Board, our incredibly dedicated staff, and the countless volunteers, members, and donors – we have achieved so much together. I would especially like to thank the 10 presidents that I served with for their guidance, leadership and support. They include Rich Pouyat, Laura Heunneke, Osvaldo Sala, Kathie Weathers, Dennis Ojima, Sharon Collinge, Shahid Naeem, Stephanie Hampton, Peter Groffman, and Rese Cloyd. And a special call out to our amazing staff, many of whom are in the photos below.

Serving as ESA’s Executive Director has been both an honor and a privilege. I look forward to finding opportunities to continue my commitment to healthy ecosystems and a clean environment through organizations in my community. I leave ESA in good hands with volunteer and staff leadership that is passionate and cares for the future of the Society. They will build on our momentum and lead ESA into its next chapter.

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