The Recycling Partnership Announces Leadership Transition

Why It Matters

A seamless leadership transition safeguards TRP’s momentum in shaping U.S. recycling infrastructure and preserves confidence among partners and funders.

Key Takeaways

• Keefe Harrison exits after 12 years, effective July 31.
• Glick Davis & Associates leads national CEO search, announcement summer.
• Harrison will assist transition through August for staff continuity.
• TRP’s 2026‑27 strategy on supply, demand, policy stays unchanged.

Pulse Analysis

Leadership succession is a pivotal moment for any nonprofit, especially one as mission‑critical as The Recycling Partnership (TRP). After more than a decade of steering the organization, Keefe Harrison’s departure triggers a structured transition overseen by the board and Glick Davis & Associates. By engaging a reputable search firm and allowing Harrison to stay on for a month, TRP mitigates the risk of operational disruption and signals to donors, municipalities, and corporate partners that governance remains robust and forward‑looking.

During Harrison’s tenure, TRP grew from a modest coalition into a national catalyst for modernizing recycling systems, leveraging public‑private partnerships to address supply chain gaps and policy inertia. Her leadership helped secure billions in recycled material value and positioned the nonprofit as a trusted advisor to federal and state agencies. Maintaining that credibility is essential; any perceived leadership vacuum could stall ongoing projects, jeopardize grant pipelines, and erode the collaborative momentum built with local governments and industry stakeholders.

Looking ahead, the incoming CEO will inherit a clear strategic roadmap for 2026‑2027, focused on balancing material supply, stimulating market demand, and influencing supportive legislation. The continuity of this agenda, combined with fresh executive perspective, offers an opportunity to scale impact, integrate emerging technologies such as AI‑driven sorting, and deepen equity‑focused recycling initiatives. For the broader recycling ecosystem, TRP’s stable transition underscores the sector’s maturation and the growing importance of professional nonprofit management in driving systemic environmental change.