Somerville, Mass., and Houston, Texas, Dec. 5, 2022 — Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, today announced that Emily Reichert has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer. She will remain on the incubator’s Board of Directors and serve in an advisory role as CEO Emeritus until a permanent CEO is hired. Greentown’s Board of Directors has begun a comprehensive national search for Dr. Reichert’s successor. The Board of Directors has asked Katherine Hamilton, Chair of 38 North Solutions, to lead the search process alongside a committee of six other Board members. Until that individual is identified, Kevin Taylor, currently Greentown’s Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Interim CEO.
“The Board of Directors is immensely grateful to Emily for building Greentown Labs into a globally-recognized organization on the forefront of climatetech innovation over the past decade,” said Alicia Barton, Greentown Labs Board Chair and CEO of FirstLight Power. “Her passion and unwavering commitment to Greentown’s mission have been the hallmark of her leadership as CEO and her vision has powered the phenomenal growth of Greentown Labs and the startups and entrepreneurs that it serves. It’s a remarkable tenure by any measure, and we offer our sincerest congratulations to Emily on all that she has accomplished over the past ten years.”
Dr. Reichert joined Greentown in early 2013 as the incubator’s first employee. Over the next decade, her efforts transformed a small community of entrepreneurs sharing space into an internationally recognized, multi-location incubator dedicated to climate action through entrepreneurship, collaboration, and community. Under her nearly ten years of leadership, the organization has grown to nearly 50 employees, supported more than 500 startups, grown to operate nearly 140,000 sq. ft. of custom-built incubator space, opened the first climatetech startup incubator in Houston, TX and cultivated hundreds of partnerships with national and international policy, industry, and ecosystem leaders with a shared mission to spur climate action across the globe.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such an incredibly mission-driven group of entrepreneurs, team members, Board members, and partners to build an organization dedicated to climate action these past ten years! I am so proud of all we’ve accomplished together, and I know Greentown’s impact and reach will only grow from here,” said Dr. Reichert. “I have full confidence in the leadership of Kevin Taylor, who brings a wealth of experience heading up other non-profit organizations. In my role as CEO Emeritus, I look forward to continuing to work with Kevin, Greentown’s Board, team, and startup community as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition to the organization’s next chapter.”
Mr. Taylor joined Greentown in January 2022 as its first-ever full-time CFO. He brings significant finance, transformational leadership, and organizational growth expertise that will play a critical role in Greentown’s next decade of climate impact. Mr. Taylor spent the past decade as a leader in the education reform movement. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for City on a Hill Charter Public School, a boutique charter public high school in Roxbury, M.A.
“Emily’s impact on the Climatetech sector—and on the lives of our past and present startups and Greentown staff members—cannot be overstated,” said Mr. Taylor. “She is a consummate professional and the quintessential example of entrepreneurial excellence. I am grateful for the faith that she and the Board have placed in me during this period of transition for our organization. I look forward to working with our internal and external stakeholders to continue to implement Emily’s incredible vision and further her groundbreaking legacy.”
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About Greentown Labs
Greentown Labs is a community of climate action pioneers working to design a more sustainable world. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions. Driven by the mission of providing startups the resources, knowledge, connections, and equipment they need to thrive, Greentown Labs offers lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, an electronics lab, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With incubators in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, TX, Greentown Labs is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 500 startups since the incubator’s founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 9,000 jobs and have raised more than $4 billion in funding. For more information, please visit www.greentownlabs.com or Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Greentown Media Contact:
Julia Travaglini
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603-867-3657