American Rivers enlists Koya Leadership Partners in CEO search

September 9, 2020

September 9, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

The American Rivers Board of Directors announced today that it has retained Koya Leadership Partners to lead the search for a new President and CEO. American Rivers is the nation’s premier river conservation organization, dedicated to achieving clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere. Bob Irvin, who has served as President and CEO of American Rivers since 2011, announced in July that he will be retiring in January 2021.

Koya Leadership Partners is a national executive search firm with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and deep experience in the conservation and outdoor sectors.

American Rivers is the voice and guardian of the nearly three million miles of rivers across our nation. It has built a track record of success over its nearly 50-year history, standing up for clean water, thriving communities and healthy ecosystems. American Rivers partners with communities to revolutionize how urban and rural areas protect and use clean water. The organization removes dams and restores floodplains to revitalize habitat and safeguard people and property. To achieve its goals, American Rivers is motivating a new wave of river advocates to demand action for healthy rivers, from local neighborhoods to the halls of Congress.

The new President and CEO will be taking the helm of the organization at a pivotal moment, as clean water and healthy rivers flow through the intersection of public health, environmental justice and climate resilience.

This is a rare opportunity for the right individual to take a successful, respected organization to the next level and make a lasting impact on the future of river conservation. The President and CEO will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for American Rivers staff, program expansion, and mission and vision execution.

The ideal candidate will be a leader with the proven ability to drive organizational growth, build strategic partnerships, advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and serve as an effective conservation advocate with policy makers, community leaders and supporters.

The American Rivers Board of Directors is committed to a thorough and inclusive search, ensuring a deep and diverse pool of outstanding candidates. The search committee is engaging stakeholders including donors, non-profit partners and staff to provide input into the President and CEO role and guidance regarding potential candidates. American Rivers anticipates hiring and onboarding the new President and CEO this winter.

To recommend potential candidates, please email the Koya team at americanrivers@koyapartners.com.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 300,000 supporters, members and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org