After nearly three decades of impact-driven growth and consensus-based leadership, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is launching a national search for its next Chief Executive Officer.
This moment builds on the strong foundation shaped under current CEO Rolf Nordstrom’s leadership, who has announced his planned retirement next summer. Today, GPI is a nationally respected organization advancing pragmatic and equitable climate solutions and is well-positioned for its next chapter. We seek steady, values-driven leadership at a time when energy and climate challenges demand practical action, economic grounding, and broad-based collaboration.
Ideal qualities to lead GPI
GPI’s next CEO will be a bridge-builder at heart: someone who can lead with humility, listen deeply, and bring people together across sectors and perspectives. As GPI’s “Communicator in Chief,” the CEO will represent the organization nationally, strengthening relationships with policy makers, public officials, industry leaders, academia, labor, and philanthropy, while fostering an internal culture where people are empowered to do their best work.
This leader will help GPI evolve its decision-making structures, strengthen cross-program integration, and enhance fundraising capacity while honoring the organization’s entrepreneurial spirit and consensus-driven culture.
About the search
GPI has retained Scion Executive Search to lead this national search. Qualified candidates and referral nominations are encouraged to contact Scion directly. More information about the role, including how to apply or submit a nomination, is available through Scion’s position posting.
As GPI looks ahead, this transition is a continuation of our commitment to durable solutions, shared prosperity, and common ground for uncommon progress.
