Contact
Alexandra Laney, Institute for Market Transformation, (530) 645-2539; alexandra.laney@imt.org
Dews to Succeed Lotte Schlegel Beginning April 1
Today, the Institute of Market Transformation (IMT) announced that Alex Dews, currently IMT’s Managing Director of Programs, will become the new Executive Director starting April 1. He succeeds Lotte Schlegel who has served in the role since 2019.
Board Chair Sandra Henry shared, “Alex has been a tremendous asset to IMT since his arrival and brings an amazing ability to listen carefully to a variety of audiences, which allows him to bridge the needs of a diverse body of stakeholders.”
Today’s announcement serves as the successful conclusion to the executive search the IMT’s board has managed since last fall.
“Our search, led by Koya Partners, was both extensive and thorough,” said Julia Gisewite, chair of the Board’s executive search committee which included IMT staff members. “Koya reached out to over 300 prospects, and the Board unanimously approved the recommendation of the search committee to select Alex Dews as IMT’s next leader.”
Alex Dews has 15 years of experience designing policies and implementing programs focused on the intersecting challenges of climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. He has served as IMT’s Managing Director of Programs since 2021. In that role, he spearheaded the creation of Community Climate Shift, and has helped evolve IMT’s team structure and culture to meet the changing needs of community, government, and private-sector stakeholders. He also played a key role in developing IMT’s 2024-2027 strategic plan, in continuation of the BuildUp 2030 goals established during Schlegel’s tenure.
“It’s been a pleasure working with our talented staff and board over the last few years. I am excited to build on our many accomplishments and lead the next phase of our work designing, adopting, and implementing ambitious equitable building decarbonization strategies,” stated Dews.
Before joining IMT, Dews served as Executive Director at Green Building United for six years, where he managed the merger of three nonprofit organizations into one, led a successful campaign effort to adopt the latest building codes at the state and jurisdiction level, built several long-term partnerships that extended organizational capacity, and closed each year with a surplus budget. His expertise spans building performance policy, energy codes, real estate sustainability, and collaborative action for equitable decarbonization. He also served as Adjunct Professor for the School of Architecture at Jefferson University and as Policy and Program Manager with Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability. He holds a BA in English from the University of Vermont, a Master’s degree in Sustainable Design from Jefferson University, and a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Bryn Mawr College. He is also a LEED AP BD+C.
Lotte Schlegel, outgoing Executive Director, remarked, “Alex is well-respected by his colleagues, and shares our commitment to community-led solutions. He is the leader we need for the next phase of our strategic plan.”
About IMT
The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that envisions a world where buildings dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions and support our physical, social, and economic well-being. We advance this vision through policies, programs, and business practices that scale better buildings in the United States. For 25 years, IMT has provided actionable resources, market analysis, and hands-on technical assistance to transform how building performance is defined, valued, and acted upon. Within this work, IMT seeks to center community voices and connect people working in real estate, government and community organizations. Together, we are catalyzing lasting change in how buildings serve people and communities. To learn more, visit imt.org.
