Ron Burke is the new president and chief executive officer of the Alliance for Water Efficiency

The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) — a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the efficient and sustainable use of water in the United States and Canada — announced it has hired environmental sustainability advocate Ron Burke as its new president and chief executive officer. He succeeds founding president and chief executive officer Mary Ann Dickinson, who recently retired after 14 years of service. Dickinson will remain a technical advisor for AWE.

“I am excited to return to nonprofit, environmental work and believe this opportunity is an especially good fit given my personal passion for AWE’s efficient and sustainable water mission,” said Burke.

After spending the first 20 years of his career working on environmental policy and programs for nonprofits, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Illinois EPA, Burke has devoted the last decade to leading a sustainable transportation nonprofit and, more recently, working in the private sector with Lyft Bikes and Scooters.

Burke’s career has included time as deputy executive director of the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago’s Programs and Policy Division, associate director for the Illinois EPA, Midwest office director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, and executive director at the Active Transportation Alliance. Prior to accepting the job as AWE’s president and CEO, Burke served as the head of micromobility policy of the Central U.S. for Lyft Transit, Bikes and Scooters. This included developing and implementing public-private partnerships, contract terms, equity programs, operations, data sharing and legislation.

The AWE Board is confident that Ron’s unique combination of experience and passion for environmental sustainability make him a great fit to advance AWE’s mission and expand the organization’s impact. “Ron will be a superb addition to AWE”, said AWE Board Chair Pete DeMarco. “During his career, he has helped to elevate the impact of nonprofit organizations through increased fundraising, improved internal and external collaboration, strategic communications, updating and implementing strategic plans, and a commitment to making change happen through collaboration and business savvy. We look forward to having him apply his skills to help AWE grow.”

Burke has a master’s degree in environmental policy from the Washington University in St. Louis and executive education in strategic perspectives in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.