Trash Free Maryland Announces New Executive Director

After an extensive and rigorous search led by the Trash Free Maryland Board of Directors, we are proud to announce that Shane Robinson has accepted the position of executive director. Shane begins his new role on December 2nd and our outstanding current Executive Director, Ashley Van Stone, leaves us on December 13th. Shane developed a love for mission-driven organizations and sustainability early in life, and later that translated into making organizations work better for themselves and for the planet. He has worked with a vast array of nonprofit and for-profit organizations to make them more successful, and has a track record of building great boards, improving fundraising and governance, cutting expenses and overhead, and ensuring operations are mission-focused. We are confident that his skills, affability, integrity and experience will continue the organization’s success, as we enter our 10th year working to reduce and prevent litter throughout Maryland.Shane has a Master’s degree in sustainable development from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont; Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and biology from the University of Nevada, Reno; and was a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He was born in Iran to American parents and has lived, worked, or studied on six continents.Shane previously served as the US Executive Director for the Ehlers-Danlos Society - a global community of patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and supporters, dedicated to saving and improving the lives of those affected by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders, and related conditions. When Shane began working with the Society’s predecessor, the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation in 2011, it was a small organization focused almost entirely on patient support and education. Working in close collaboration with board, Shane engaged multiple stakeholders to help create a new organizational strategy, mission, and brand identity. Within a few short years, the rebranded Ehlers-Danlos Society has become a dynamic, global, multimillion dollar organization driving international EDS research, advocacy, and awareness—worldwide.Shane served in the Maryland General Assembly from 2011-2019 focusing on environmental and energy policy. He was the Chairman of the Montgomery County House Delegation from 2014 to 2018. In the past he worked for the US Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. He is a member of the National Ski Patrol and a PADI scuba instructor. He enjoys trail running and spending time with his family.