Ben Jealous is on leave from his job as Sierra Club’s boss after a tumultuous stretch leading the organization.
The green group informed staff in a cryptic message Friday that Jealous was on leave and that an acting boss would be filling in. But the group didn’t provide details about the cause of Jealous’ leave or how long it would last, raising questions internally and externally about the long-term leadership of the iconic environmental group as it faces off against the Trump administration.
Jealous’ leave follows years of discord within the Sierra Club as employees and volunteers grew increasingly frustrated with his leadership and repeated rounds of staff layoffs on his watch.
Longtime Sierra Club leader Loren Blackford, who has previously served as interim executive director, will serve as acting executive director while Jealous is out, Sierra Club Chief Operating Officer Michael Parrish told staff Friday in an email.
