Kelly Darnell Joins ACP as Chief Operating Officer

WASHINGTON, September 19, 2023 – The American Clean Power Association (ACP) today announced the appointment of Kelly Darnell as its incoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President of the Clean Power Institute, ACP’s educational c(3) non-profit. Darnell brings a diverse range of experience from sectors such as nonprofit, banking, government, legal, and politics as she takes on her fifth role as a COO at ACP. 

Darnell will steer the operational functions of the association, which has a staff of more than one hundred professionals. Additionally, she will oversee the Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology departments.  

“Kelly is the best,” said Jason Grumet, ACP’s Chief Executive Officer. “Her diverse background and proven leadership make her an invaluable addition to the association. I know Kelly to be a transformational leader, and I’m excited to see what she will bring to our organization at this pivotal time for the clean power industry.” 

Most recently, Darnell served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Bipartisan Policy Center. Previously, she held the role of COO for several organizations, including The Executive Leadership Council, United Way of the National Capital Area, and the Washington D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education. In these roles, she was responsible for operations, finance, fundraising, IT, marketing and communications, member services, and events management. 

“It’s an honor to join the American Clean Power Association as its new COO and to work once again with Jason,” said Darnell. “I’m incredibly excited to bring my experience to bear in a new sector that is so crucial for our future. Together, we’ll make this budding organization more nimble, efficient, and ready to meet the challenges ahead.” 

Darnell is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and has received numerous awards, including the 2019 Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College, a Master of Public Management from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from the American University, Washington College of Law. 

Darnell assumed her role in September.