Executive Director

The Sustainability Institute is looking for a dynamic individual to lead the ongoing evolution of our organization towards increased collaboration and maximized impact on global sustainability.  We live at a time when we are grappling with the limits of the Earth’s capacity to support human societies. The damage to communities and nature created by the unsustainable industrial growth economy is more and more evident, and the time left to transform that system is growing ever shorter.  We are searching for an executive director who understands the complexity of our current world – both its serious challenges and unprecedented opportunities. S/he must be passionate about leading an organization committed to helping create just, environmentally sustainable social and economic systems that function well for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Promoting such sustainable systems is the mission of the Sustainability Institute (SI) founded in 1996 by the late Donella (Dana) Meadows.  We seek to maximize our capacity in this mission by combining three key programmatic areas  1) system dynamics modeling, 2) leadership development and 3) multi-stakeholder convenings.  Our systems work develops understanding, and helps stakeholders focus on points of leverage to transform systems. Our leadership development programs and multi-stakeholder convenings empower individuals and groups to act effectively and collaboratively– to see more clearly the constraints and opportunities of the complex systems of which we are part.  The SI has applied these principles and approaches in many projects; much of our current effort is focused on climate change, to inform policy, adaptations, and mitigation.

SI has a staff of 10, an active seven-member board, and an annual operating budget of approximately $2 million. Our partnership with local, national, and international organizations is critical to our success.  Current sources of funding include foundation grants, individual and organizational contributions, and fee-for-service consulting. The SI is based in an energy efficient, renovated 1950s farmhouse in Hartland, Vermont. Some of our regular staff are based elsewhere, but all maintain close, collaborative contact.