Position: President & Chief Executive Officer

Organization: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR)

Location: Washington, DC or remote

Reporting Relationship: ACDR Board of Directors

In early 2025 the two leading associations representing the debt resolution industry: the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR) and the Consumer Debt Relief Initiative (CDRI) are formally merging to create the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR). This merger represents a unified effort to advocate for the debt relief industry and consumers alike. With this merger, the new organization is seeking an innovative and dynamic executive to promote the debt settlement industry through strong advocacy aimed at positively impacting and influencing public policy.

The Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) is dedicated to:

• Educating consumers and policymakers about debt relief and its benefits.

• Promoting and supporting the federal rules governing debt relief services.

• Advocating for consistent state regulations that align with federal standards and enable the industry to operate effectively in all 50 states.

• Holding debt relief companies to high compliance and ethical standards.

• Protecting and expanding access to accredited debt relief services nationwide.

• Supporting financial literacy initiatives for all consumers.

• Renewing a commitment to transparency with policymakers, consumers, and other stakeholders.

• Advancing the highest consumer protection standards to ensure that debt-distressed consumers have access to safe and transparent solutions to achieve financial stability.

• Advocate for the continued adoption and promotion of the existing federal rules governing debt relief services.

• Ensure that federal regulations provide a solid foundation for consistent consumer protections and access to debt relief.

• Work toward achieving consistent state regulations that align with the federal framework and allow debt relief companies to operate effectively across all 50 states.

• Aim for 50 "green" states where consumers have access to compliant and effective debt relief services.

• Develop and enforce rigorous compliance standards that set a high bar for ethical practices within the debt relief industry.

• Provide training and resources to ensure member companies adhere to these standards.

• Build strong partnerships with creditors to facilitate seamless negotiations and better outcomes for consumers.

• Advocate for creditor policies that recognize and support reputable debt relief practices.

• Maintain open communication with state and federal regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

• Act as a resource for regulators, providing data and insights to inform policy decisions.

• Build relationships with complementary industry associations to share best practices, align goals, and collectively advocate for the debt relief industry.

• Conduct and disseminate industry studies that highlight the value and impact of debt relief services for consumers.

• Use data to educate policymakers, regulators, and the public about the benefits of a compliant and well-regulated debt relief industry.

• Partner with credit bureaus to improve reporting practices and enhance the transparency of consumer credit outcomes.

• Provide resources and tools that help consumers make informed decisions about debt relief services.

• Promote awareness of ACDR’s commitment to ethical and compliant practices.

By pursuing these goals, ACDR seeks to solidify its position as the leading voice for compliant and consumer-focused debt relief companies, ensuring the long-term viability and reputation of the industry.

The CEO will be responsible for the effective leadership of the ACDR, execution of its strategic mission, goals, and objectives, and development of a strong working relationship with both the Board of Directors and the general member base. They will be the organization’s chief advocate, ambassador, and spokesperson before all external audiences including state and federal government, media, organizational partners, business partners, and the public.

In addition, the CEO will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the ACDR, including public relations, strategic planning, programming, and resource management. The successful candidate will report to and work collaboratively with the ACDR Board of Directors. The candidate will work to align resources with strategic priorities and focus the organization on achieving desired outcomes and impact.

• Lead the ACDR’s nonpartisan political and advocacy agenda, delivering specific results in the legislative and regulatory arenas, with a primary focus on the state level.

• Serve as a chief advocate and spokesperson on priority policy issues to state and federal government agencies and officials, key consumer groups, the media, and the public.

• Forge and maintain key alliances among organizations that share similar objectives, including relevant trade associations and consumer organizations, working to explore consistent messaging, campaigns, or opportunities to work collaboratively. Work to develop and foster relationships with organizations that might have competing missions or objectives.

• Establish annual and long-term strategic priorities in conjunction with the Board, with focused execution plans and measurable objectives; communicate regularly with the Board on progress toward these goals; forge an open and trusting working relationship with the Board.

• Demonstrate strategic leadership, with the ability to clearly define and communicate a strong value proposition to members and create a compelling agenda that attracts and sustains involvement by the senior leaders of member companies.

• Anticipate the political and economic issues and decisions that will affect the debt resolution and consumer finance industries. Recommend and drive appropriate action and responses to state and federal government agencies, the membership, and the public.

• Support ACDR’s public relations objectives to raise its profile, promote the industry, the value of debt resolution, and the impact of choice to consumers.

• Establish ACDR as the industry thought leader. Lead initiatives that position ACDR to address emerging and changing industry trends and needs including consumer behavior, state and federal regulatory issues, and changing economic landscape.

• Serve as the main liaison to the Board of Directors, providing advice and information related to the organization's operations, development and execution of strategy, and policy leadership on the industry's behalf.

• Cultivate and establish relationships with ACDR members and prospective members to maximize engagement, ensure retention and grow membership.

• Oversee effective conferences and programming including general administration of business affairs.

• Manage a budget of $6 million including staff and external consultants.

ACDR seeks a strategic, accomplished leader who will guide the organization’s future direction and achieve significant progress towards the organization's priority goals and objectives in support of the debt resolution industry’s growth and impact for consumers. The individual selected will passionately advocate for ACDR nationally before myriad diverse audiences including government officials, consumer organizations, members, and the media. They must be a respected, credible, and experienced leader committed to the ACDR, its members, and all the issues that impact them.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO must be a proactive, results-oriented leader with at least 10 years of proven relevant experience in state and federal government legislative, regulatory, and legal affairs, ideally with experience related to the consumer finance sector. The CEO will bring the energy and gravitas to personally lead ACDR’s advocacy on priority issues, particularly at the state level, while engaging the staff and external resources to achieve desired goals nationwide. The CEO will possess business acumen and an understanding of economic and political trends as they impact the industry and consumers we serve. Prior association leadership experience is a plus.

• An ability and passion for quickly engaging in the legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry to advance its agenda with credibility, with emphasis on state experience.

• Strong credibility with legislators and regulators. Respected by policy influencers in the executive and legislative branches, on both sides of the political aisle, with an exceptional record of achievement, credibility, and integrity.

• Record of accomplishment of effectively working with diverse stakeholders to forge an organization’s strategic vision and execute upon that plan with appropriate urgency, timeliness, and responsiveness to achieve goals and priorities.

• Outstanding board relations and consensus building skills. A collaborative leadership style, with diplomacy and political savvy.

• Demonstrated experience as an articulate, credible, and persuasive spokesperson with a wide range of audiences, including senior government officials, media, other industry groups, and the public.

• Ability to raise the visibility of ACDR’s mission among targeted audiences and forge strategic partnerships and national and regional coalitions with organizations that share common objectives.

• A strong drive and high energy to tackle public policy activities with tenacity and thoughtful prudence.

• Outstanding interpersonal, influence, negotiation, and persuasion skills, including the ability to relate well to a wide range of constituencies.

• Outstanding listening skills, with the ability to clearly articulate the message and command his/her audience's respect.

• Demonstrated unconditional commitment to serving the needs of and displaying a commitment to the members which ACDR serves.

• The courage and conviction to challenge and defend ideas and strategies before opponents; superior analytical skills. Ability to make difficult decisions.

• A proactive, resourceful, highly responsive, and self-motivated individual who has a record of accomplishment of delivery outcomes with appropriate urgency, timeliness, and responsiveness.

• Ability to motivate, empower and oversee ACDR staff including recruiting, hiring, and retaining top caliber professional talent.

• Unquestionable integrity, credibility, and character as well as demonstrated high moral and ethical behavior.

The position can be based anywhere within the United States; however, the CEO will be expected to travel 25% to 30% of their time domestically, depending upon state legislative calendars.

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

A competitive compensation and benefits package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.

Lorraine Lavet

Sector Leader, National Association Practice

Phone: 703-919-6540

Lorraine.Lavet@kornferry.com

Principal, Global Government Affairs Practice

Phone: 202-649-2382

Trenholm.Boggs@kornferry.com

Senior Associate

Phone: 703-498-7227

Kristi.Hamilton@kornferry.com

Senior Project Coordinator

Phone: 703-498-7227

Emily.Lynch@kornferry.com

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.