The Anabaptist Climate Collaborative (ACC) board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Leah Reesor-Keller as interim executive director. Reesor-Keller succeeds Douglas Day Kaufman, who is concluding his role as executive director on July 31, 2026. 

“I could not be more excited to welcome Leah to ACC. Her wisdom and wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset to ACC during this year of transition,” said Harrison Horst, ACC Board co-chair. “The ACC Board is looking forward to engaging deeply with Leah as we refresh our strategy moving into 2027 to ensure we can continue equipping and activating the next generation of climate leaders.”

Reesor-Keller, an organizational leadership consultant and writer, brings over two decades of experience with faith-based and social justice nonprofits. She has served as a co-country representative for Mennonite Central Committee in Nepal, executive minister of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, and transitional executive director of KAIROS Canada. She is the author of Tending Tomorrow: Courageous Change for People and Planet (Herald Press, 2024). 

“I’m honoured to join ACC at this significant juncture,” said Reesor-Keller. “Doug, the ACC board, and the whole team of current and former staff, volunteers, donors and supporters demonstrate what faith in action looks like, bringing together people in the Anabaptist faith community and beyond to courageously face the realities of a planet in crisis and act together for a future where all creation flourishes.”

Reesor-Keller’s interim leadership role with ACC will focus on working closely with the board to refine the organization’s strategy and business model moving forward, while sustaining the ongoing programming and day-to-day operations. During the months ahead, the board will be striking a search committee for the permanent role. 

ACC is grateful for Kaufman’s leadership at ACC over formative years for the organization.  

“Doug has been a stable and important part of ACC (then known as the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions) since 2018, when he began working part-time on a climate change curriculum for churches. He has been a huge piece of ACC’s success and identity for 8 years, and while we are sad to see him go, we also know that he will continue to be a part of the ACC family and legacy,” said Horst, reflecting on Kaufman’s many contributions to the organization. 

Kaufman’s role gradually expanded to include leadership of  pastoral training programs as the director of pastoral ecology, and since 2023, served as the executive director. In his time with ACC, he led 22 trainings with about 700 pastoral leaders and preached at dozens of churches across the continent.

After departing ACC, Kaufman will continue his work for climate action in the broader faith community, with a focus on his bioregion in Indiana. He will be reflecting on his time with ACC in the August newsletter. Click here to subscribe and read his upcoming post.