Jules Kortenhorst

Jules Kortenhorst is the former Chief Executive Officer of RMI. He is a recognized leader on global energy issues and climate change. His background spans business, government, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit leadership.

Since 1982, RMI has advanced market-based solutions that transform global energy use to secure a clean, prosperous net-zero future for all. An independent, nonprofit think-and-do tank, RMI engages with businesses, communities, and institutions to accelerate and scale replicable solutions that drive the cost-effective shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables.

Background

Prior to RMI, Jules was the founding CEO of the European Climate Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization dedicated to policy development and advocacy on climate change in Europe. Before launching ECF, he served as a member of the Dutch parliament for the Christian Democratic Party.

During the first 20 years of his career, Jules worked in the business world. He was the CEO for International Operations of ClientLogic Corporation, a global leader in outsourced customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. He worked for almost 10 years in roles for Royal Dutch/Shell, including as managing director of Shell Bulgaria, and he began his career as an analyst at McKinsey & Co.

Jules currently serves as chair of the WEF Global Future Council on Net Zero Transition. He is a founding member of the global Energy Transitions Commission. He also is a member of the New Energy advisory board of Shell, and a non-executive board member of the Energy Web Foundation, and of MiQ, a global methane certification program.

Jules is married to Searl Vetter and has four children.

Education

Masters of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, Baker Scholar

Masters in Economics, Erasmus University, Netherlands