President & CEO

Position : President & Chief Executive Officer

Organization : American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

Location : Washington, DC

Reporting Relationship : ACI Board of Directors

Website : www.cleaninginstitute.org

THE OPPORTUNITY

The President & CEO of the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) will step into a dynamic leadership role at the helm of a nationally influential nonprofit organization. This is a unique opportunity to lead the next chapter of an impactful, membership-driven trade association committed to empowering the cleaning products industry across the United States. The President & CEO will shape the future of ACI, ensuring the highest quality of member services while upholding the fiscal, legal, and ethical integrity of the organization.

Reporting directly to a Board of Directors (capped at 25) representing both large and small member companies and 90% of the U.S. cleaning product industry marketplace, the President & CEO will be responsible for advancing ACI's mission, vision, goals, and objectives, while driving key policies and initiatives. Managing a talented team of approximately 35 employees, with an expanding headquarters footprint, and overseeing a $15 million annual budget, the President & CEO will play a critical role in expanding ACI's national reach and advancing its strategic priorities.

This position is more than just an executive role; it is an opportunity to lead a transformative organization making a meaningful difference in the cleaning products industry. This role offers the chance to leave a lasting impact by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Established in 1926, the American Cleaning Institute is dedicated to advancing public understanding of the safety and benefits of cleaning products and protecting the ability of its members to formulate products that best meet consumer needs. ACI serves both its members and the public by developing and sharing information about the whole of the industry with the technical community, policy makers, childcare and health professionals, activist stakeholders, educators, media, and consumers. ACI's headquarters is in downtown Washington, DC. 1401 H Street NW, Suite 700. Washington, DC 20005

ACI is approaching their 100th year Anniversary. The association is planning multiple celebrations of the anniversary at Convention and in DC. The theme of the 2026 convention will be "100 Years of Clean". With 180 members across the country, the ACI provides a robust network and a wealth of resources to support the cleaning product industry. The association is committed to advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. By joining the ACI, members gain access to a vibrant community and network and the resources they need to excel in their industry.

The Board of Directors consisting of elected representatives from member companies, both large and small, sets policy for the Association. Various committees, subcommittees, task forces and working groups carry out programs. ACI programs address a variety of cleaning product industry business priorities; ingredients, packaging, human health, and environmental safety issues from several science-based perspectives.

Vision

ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the $57.4 billion cleaning products industry.

Membership

The ACI is the home of the U.S. cleaning products industry, the non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning products industry.

Member Benefits :

Committees : A seat at the table to address priority issues. Year-round opportunities to learn, stay informed, and grow your business.

Scientific and Regulatory Expertise : With multiple PhD's on its staff, ACI is uniquely qualified to provide technical expertise in the areas of sound science, advocacy, regulation, and sustainability.

B2B Connections : An unparalleled opportunity for business meetings & networking among customers and suppliers. Conduct a year's worth of business in just one week.

Events

ACI hosts several meetings for members throughout the year. The ACI Annual Meeting & Industry Convention is held within the first five weeks of each year in Florida, providing B2B, education, innovation and networking opportunities for the industry. The event also features two charity events that benefit a hygiene focused international charity based in Florida. One of the events, a lazy river duck race, is a beloved tradition with ACI's membership. The charity events raised a record setting $50,000 at the 2025 Convention.

Of note, ACI credits its largest convention attendance and engagement ever in 2025 and will be shifting to a larger location in Orlando, Florida in 2026. There are also gatherings for committee meetings in the spring and fall. ACI also initiates, sponsors, presents, or attends many domestic and international conferences and leads in building digital and traditional awareness of the cleaning product industry throughout the year.

Science, Research Sustainability

ACI technical programs provide the foundation for scientifically sound public, legislative, and regulatory judgments about industry products and ingredients. Significant publications based on this work include :

• Reports summarizing data on the environmental fate and effects and human safety of major classes of surfactants.
• Peer-reviewed articles that describe an environmental risk assessment approach for cleaning product ingredients, and approaches to human risk assessment and risk management for evaluating cleaning products.
• Environmental risk assessments on ingredients.
• Guidance on safe enzyme handling practices in the workplace and safe formulation with enzymes in consumer products.

Other ACI environmental research is focused on surfactants sorbed to sediments and the implications of their presence in water re-use situations. Human health and safety technical work is directed at achieving appropriate regulation for antibacterial hand products; promoting safe practices in the use of enzyme technology; advancing the use of non-animal approaches in the safety assessment of cleaning products; improving the application of life cycle approaches for product assessments; and enhancing the industry's tools for product stewardship.

ACI Sustainability's purpose is to advance the health and quality of life of people and protect our planet; it is necessary to strive for a vibrant and sustainable future. ACI manufacturers desire to create products providing hygiene and cleanliness, in a manner that is environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Domestic & International Chemical Management Policies

ACI has helped lead the development of input to the U.S. government and intergovernmental bodies. Programs to establish a harmonized system for the classification of hazards and labeling worldwide for physical, health and environmental effects of substances and mixtures are high priorities. ACI fostered the development of and has played a leadership role in an actively growing global network of cleaning products associations. This International Network of Cleaning Product Association coordinates responses to developments around the world that affect cleaning products and participates in various conferences in Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America.

Government Affairs

ACI engages at the federal, state, and local government levels on issues that affect the material supply, formulation, marketing, packaging, distribution, use and disposal of the industry's products with an emphasis on supporting the industry's ability to innovate and speed new and more sustainable products to market.

ACI has maintained a strong relationship with other industry associations such as the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). This enabled ACI to play a leading role in strengthening the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, among other leading industry issues (i.e., ingredient communication). ACI has an active and growing Political Action Committee (ACI PAC).

Consumer Education and Outreach

ACI education efforts are directed at understanding the issues and needs of consumer communicators and educators and addressing them by providing materials that encourage the safe, effective, and responsible use of household cleaning products.

ACI is playing a key role in keeping children safe with its multi-pronged, multi-year consumer education campaign on laundry packet safety. The campaign is raising awareness of the risk and inspiring behavior change among parents of children under 6 years of age.

ACI education programs like laundry packet safety have focused on :

Communications

ACI media outreach efforts communicate the benefits and safety of cleaning products and expand awareness of ACI as a trustworthy information resource for media and other key audiences about the industry and its products.

The ACI National Cleaning Surveys provide the media with newsworthy findings about consumer cleaning attitudes and behavior. ACI also releases cleaning tips and other information to the media regularly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The President & CEO will be responsible for the effective leadership of ACI and the execution of its mission and goals. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will lead development and execution of ACI's strategic plan and other challenges as they arise proactively and with a sense of urgency, achieving specific organizational objectives and results domestically and globally. This position leads all operational activities of the ACI, ensures the financial stability of the organization, leads a high-performing team, and builds organizational culture

The President & CEO will be a dynamic and visionary leader who brings strong leadership, management, and critical thinking skills, with an inclusive dedicated focus to advancing the policy, advocacy, technical, business, and strategic communications goals of the ACI membership. They will provide leadership for the association and set the organizational direction to meet the goals set with the Board. Through their personal credibility, the President & CEO will play a vital role in enhancing the industry's public and political credibility as a socially responsible industry.

The CEO will be responsible for the following areas.

Strategic Direction :

o Develops a strategic plan with the Board of Directors aligned to the priorities for member organizations, including the leading global companies in the industry. Implements approved goals, objectives, and programs. Recommends and updates association goals consistent with the strategic plan. Remains agile and open to new opportunities or challenges, including economic, political, regulatory, and legislative trends.

o Create an agenda that attracts and sustains strategic engagement by the senior executives of member companies and execute the policies established by the Board to advance the interests of the industry.

o Achieve the goal of creating "one voice" for ACI and the membership. Personally engage in membership development, retention, and engagement.

Board Relations :

o Forge and maintain trusting, collaborative, and transparent working relationships with the Board and ensure active Board engagement.

o Update Board regularly of progress on strategic priorities. Provide guidance as new trends or developments lead to a need to shift priorities.

o Provide support to new Chairs and Board members to effectively onboard each year.

Staff Leadership :

o Lead a highly professional, results-oriented team that delivers specific outcomes in the legislative, research, regulatory, technical, and communications arenas.

o Develop, empower, and inspire staff; provide staff management in the planning and execution of ACI's policies, programs, and goals.

o Serve as a change leader in a dynamic environment, by fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture among staff, and open mindedness to innovative ideas and approaches.

Advocacy / Public Policy :

o Proactively lead in the public policy arena on priority issues, both legislative and regulatory, on a bi-partisan basis, with increased focus given the shifting political landscape.

o Elevate the industry's impact and effectiveness in this arena.

o Proactively maintain strong working relationships with other industry organizations and collaborate with them where there are mutual interests both in the U.S. and internationally. Collaborate with the members' corporate and government affairs executives to advance the organization's goals and agenda.

Communications Efforts / Principal Spokesperson :

o Serve as the ambassador of the U.S. cleaning products and oleochemical industries.

o Promote visibility of the association and maintain effective public relations within the cleaning products industry nationally and with key stakeholders including government officials, educational institutions, thought leaders, and other stakeholder organizations.

o Ensure that ACI retains and enhances its proactive and responsive role in engaging with all forms of media, including social media platforms.

o Serve as the industry's key spokesperson and advocate before all appropriate venues and audiences, while also engaging other members of the executive leadership team as appropriate.

Financial and Operational Oversight :

o Responsible for overseeing the success of ACI's annual meeting, held in Orlando, FL. It is the largest annual event of the year, most attended by members.

o Assess the entirety of the organization's infrastructure and operations, including its overall business model, revenue mix, resource allocation, staffing models, IT infrastructure, and accountability structures, to ensure the success and longevity of the ACI.

o Maintain a financially healthy organization. Ensure strong membership retention and growth and evaluate additional non-dues revenue services that provide value to the members, including a strong annual meeting.

o Prepare annual budget aligned to ACI's strategic plan for review and approval by the Board of Directors. Make recommendations for priority investments that advance the industry's goals.

o Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and ordinances.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be an impactful leader with at least 10 years of senior executive leadership experience in an association or company organization of similar or larger scale, scope, and complexity. The candidate will have a passion for advocating for the issues of greatest importance to the cleaning product industry or broader chemical industries with a diverse constituency. They will be an innovative and transformational strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen, P&L responsibility, proven staff leadership, advocacy, communications, and relationship-building skills. They will demonstrate strong organizational and team building skills, as well as a successful record of accomplishment for collaborating with diverse stakeholders to advance a robust strategic vision for the organization, including a sustainable financial model and clear membership growth and retention strategy. Association leadership experience is desirable.

Additional experience and qualifications will include the following :

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in relevant discipline or equivalent business experience a plus. Relevant technical background a plus.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be provided to outstanding candidates. The mid-market salary range for this position is $700,000 to $900,000. Salary is dependent on several factors, including previous work experience, specific industry experience, qualifications, and skill set.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

American Cleaning Institute has retained Korn Ferry to assist the Board in this search. Screening will begin in February 2025 and continue until an appointment is made. Applications (including resume or CV and a cover letter addressing interest should be submitted to aci_president@kornferry.com. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to sophia.carr@kornferry.com.

American Cleaning Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

KORN FERRY CONTACTS

Lorraine Lavet

Sector Leader, Association Practice

Phone : 703-919-6540

Lorraine.Lavet@kornferry.com

Nick Larkin

Senior Client Partner, Global Industrial Practice

Phone : 202-955-0923

Nick.Larkin@kornferry.com

Sophie Carr

Senior Associate

Phone : 484-425-1607

Sophia.Carr@kornferry.com

Emily Lynch

Senior Project Coordinator

Phone : 703-498-7227

Emily.Reda@kornferry.com

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.

Salary : $700,000 - $900,000