After eight years as the Clean Energy Transition Institute (CETI)’s founding Executive Director, I have decided to step down this summer. With CETI firmly established as the go-to organization for rigorous, unbiased research and analytics to accelerate an equitable clean energy transition in the Northwest, I am confident this is the right time to pass the baton to the organization's next leader.
When the founding Board members and I created CETI in 2018, we had one goal — to determine whether it was technically and economically feasible to decarbonize the Northwest. Eight years in, the answer is a resounding yes. With our energy pathways studies; decarbonization programs for rural communities, buildings, and the industrial sector; the Northwest Clean Energy Atlas; and our Decarbonization Forums, CETI transformed that question from theoretical to actionable.
Building an organization with such talented colleagues and committed partners has been a privilege, and I am deeply proud of what we achieved together. Now, with a top-notch team in place and a fully engaged, knowledgeable Board of Directors, CETI is primed for further success.
The CETI Board has launched a search process with professional support from Clover Search Works, and I am excited to work with the Clover team in the coming months to do all I can to ensure the smoothest possible hand-off to my successor.
As for me, I will continue to serve on three boards—the Washington State Green Bank, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Renewable Northwest—and work on building the clean energy economy as a consultant and analyst.
I am immensely grateful to everyone in the CETI community for all we have accomplished over the past eight years.
Gratefully,
Eileen V. Quigley
We cannot overstate what Eileen Quigley has meant to this organization. Eileen built CETI from an idea into an organization that policymakers and stakeholders across the Northwest rely on for clear-eyed, nonpartisan research on decarbonization.
She brought not only vision but persistence navigating the complexities of standing up a new organization while never losing sight of the mission. We will miss her at the helm, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has built.
The good news is that Eileen is leaving CETI in a position of real strength with a talented team, an engaged Board, and a reputation for rigor that is needed now more than ever as our region confronts the challenges of energy availability and affordability. Eileen will remain as Executive Director until her successor is in place and will stay actively engaged throughout the transition.
As Eileen noted, the Board has begun working with Clover Search Works to lead our search for CETI's next Executive Director. We are currently in the discovery phase of the process and expect to share a formal announcement about the opportunity in mid-March. When we do, we will be counting on you to help us spread the word far and wide — the strength of this search will depend on reaching exceptional candidates through our collective networks.
If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to CETI Board President Liz Thomas at liz.thomas@klgates.com.
With gratitude for your continued support,
CETI Board of Directors
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