FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2021 – Citizens’ Climate Lobby announced that executive director Mark Reynolds will join the organization’s governing board in 2022. Current CCL president Madeleine Para will succeed Reynolds as executive director, effective January 20, 2022.
“Mark’s extraordinary vision and inspirational leadership as CCL’s first executive director has been transformational for hundreds of thousands of climate advocates,” said Zaurie Zimmerman, the chair of CCL’s governing board. “Months of planning and Mark and Madeleine’s long partnership ensure a successful transition, as Mark passes the baton at a peak of CCL’s success.”
“We are so excited that Mark wants to continue to support CCL by joining the board at this time,” said Mary Selkirk, chair of the board’s nominating committee. “CCL has never been stronger, or more diverse, or more politically sophisticated and effective,” much of which is due to Mark’s cultivation of “a culture of mutual respect, curiosity and creativity among staff and volunteers” and “his unique ability to communicate with donors and funders about CCL’s transformational work.”
Ross Astoria, who served as CCL’s board chair from June 2016 to June 2021, echoed these sentiments. “With creativity, methodical collaborations, and relentless, courageous hustle, Mark guided the growth of Citizens’ Climate Lobby from a scrappy start-up to an established institution influencing action on the Hill. I look forward to working with Mark as he continues to support CCL volunteers as a board member, and I’m super excited about what’s next for the organization as Madeleine takes the helm.”
In a heartfelt letter to CCL’s supporter base of nearly 200,000, Reynolds shared, “I have never loved a role as much as I love this one, and I will miss doing it. CCL, and supporters like you, have made these years some of the most special in my life.”
Reynolds’ letter also celebrated this year’s remarkable progress toward a price on carbon pollution. “The policy we’ve worked on for so long is now an integral part of the national policy discussion, with a possibility that it will become law,” he said. CCL’s grassroots energy has helped generate more cosponsors for this House carbon pricing bill than any carbon pricing bill in U.S. history. CCL efforts also helped advance several climate measures in the infrastructure law.
Reynolds also expressed confidence in his successor, noting that Para has contributed to CCL’s impressive growth and increasing sophistication over the years. “Madeleine’s strength and competence as a leader and manager is really what makes this next evolution of CCL possible,” he said.
“CCL is poised to take some big next steps as an organization. It’s a true honor to be in the position of guiding those next steps,” said Para. “With the dedication of an incredible staff and the enthusiasm of volunteers across the country, I look forward to seeing what we can do together.”
Reynolds’ own next steps will include expanding Citizens’ Climate International, which currently has 141 chapters across 76 countries, and continuing to support the fundraising activities critical for a nonprofit.
“As the CCL board looks to support CCL’s growth and policy expansion, Mark’s deep knowledge and connection with every aspect of our organization will be an essential asset for our next chapter,” Zimmerman said.
CONTACT: CCL Communications Director Flannery Winchester, 615-337-3642,
