American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Executive Director, Washington, DC
About American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is turning today’s energy challenges into opportunities for stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and a livable climate for all.
ACEEE advances practical, cost-effective ways to use energy more efficiently. Our research and advocacy have helped shape landmark policies, catalyze clean technologies, and make energy efficiency the nation’s most productive energy resource. Today, our work is more urgent and impactful than ever.
Since 1980, ACEEE has informed U.S. energy policy through rigorous, independent analysis. We played a key role in securing the first national appliance efficiency standards, saving households billions of dollars. More recently, our experts helped shape the largest federal investment in energy efficiency in U.S. history – the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act – and influenced landmark vehicle and appliance standards finalized in 2024.
Energy efficiency is not just a technical solution; it’s a powerful lever for reducing emissions, lowering costs, and improving lives. We are committed to ensuring the benefits of the clean energy transition reach those who need it most, including renters, low-income households, and historically underserved communities. We have cut U.S. energy use in half relative to the economy's size and are saving more than $2,000 per capita in energy bills annually. Efficiency saves more energy each year than America uses from any other single energy resource, including oil, natural gas, and coal.
Mission and Vision ACEEE is a national nonprofit organization that, through research, education, and advocacy, advances the efficient use of energy to rapidly and equitably spur economic well-being and combat climate change. Our vision is a clean energy future that secures a healthy planet and better lives for everyone.
Today, as electricity demand rises sharply – driven by electric vehicles, data centers, and domestic manufacturing – energy efficiency is more vital than ever. It remains one of the most practical, affordable, and immediate tools for meeting rising demand while reducing emissions, increasing resilience, and ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition reach everyone. Energy efficiency also plays a vital role in easing energy burdens for families and businesses, especially as high prices strain household budgets and the broader economy.
We are pursuing a bold goal: to halve U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with meaningful progress across all sectors – buildings, industry, transportation, and power – by 2030.
We’re scaling up to meet the challenge and seeking mission-driven leaders ready to help us get there. If you’re passionate about systems change, policy innovation, and working alongside brilliant, committed colleagues, we’d love to connect.
Learn more about ACEEE at www.aceee.org.
The Opportunity
ACEEE is seeking a visionary and mission-driven leader to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a long-standing, nationally recognized nonprofit organization committed to advancing energy efficiency, decarbonization, and equitable climate solutions through a powerful call to action. The Executive Director will steward ACEEE’s mission and strategic direction, bringing together a diverse array of internal and external stakeholders to deliver impact at scale in a rapidly evolving energy and climate landscape.
The Executive Director will be responsible for advancing ACEEE’s stakeholder-driven vision by guiding the Senior Management Team, cultivating a culture of inclusion, accountability, and innovation, and representing the organization as a national thought leader and trusted voice across government, industry, and the nonprofit sectors. They will serve as the primary public representative of ACEEE, championing its work to federal, state, and local agencies and legislators, philanthropic funders, policy influencers, and the media.
In partnership with a committed Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee a strong and sustainable fundraising strategy to support ACEEE’s programs and future growth. They will drive cross-functional collaboration, ensure operational and financial health, and deepen ACEEE’s role as a leader in policy research, implementation, and advocacy for a cleaner and more just energy future.
The ideal candidate will bring exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and relationship-building skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will have a successful track record in nonprofit or public sector leadership, experience with organizational growth, and an ability to engage with a broad set of stakeholders to shape and share a compelling vision for the future.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Liz Lombard, Managing Director and Angie Sessoms, Managing Associate. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the Angie Sessoms directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams. Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.