jules kortenhorst

Building on Record Growth, Funding, and Impact, RMI Seeks New Leader as Longtime CEO Announces Plans to Step Down

Boulder, CO – May 5, 2022

RMI, formerly Rocky Mountain Institute, is launching a global search for a new leader to take over the 40-year-old organization after CEO Jules Kortenhorst informed staff, donors, and partners this week that he would be stepping down by the end of the year.

Kortenhorst, 61, has served as chief executive of the Boulder-based nonprofit think tank for nine years. In that time, RMI has set fundraising records, the staff expanded to over 500 across the globe, and the work shifted to focus on the fight to stave off the worst consequences of climate change by transitioning the global energy system to carbon-free sources.

“Climate change is both the most significant and most urgent challenge facing humanity. But it’s also a marathon, not a sprint. As I leave, RMI is well positioned to lead the energy transition race in this decisive decade,” Kortenhorst said. “And rest assured, wherever I end up next, I will continue to focus on addressing climate change and accelerating the energy transition.”

A native of the Netherlands, Kortenhorst’s career prior to RMI spanned business, government, and nonprofit leadership. He was the founding CEO of the European Climate Foundation, ran international operations for a customer relations management company, and had senior roles at Royal Dutch/Shell. Read the full statement on his departure here. Kortenhorst will stay on at RMI until the board of trustees and managing directors appoint a replacement.

“On behalf of RMI’s board, we are grateful for Jules’s service to RMI. He has been an extraordinary leader, who has guided significant growth for nearly a decade and has positioned the organization to meet global climate challenges,” said Edward “Ted” White, chair of RMI’s board of trustees. “We are eager to continue to accelerate the energy transition with Jules’s successor and RMI’s capable leadership team.”

For media inquiries please contact:

Nick Steel, Public Relations Director
E: media@rmi.org

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing. More information on RMI can be found at rmi.org or follow us on Twitter @RockyMtnInst.