Keith Dimoff took on the role of executive director at Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) just three years ago, but his relationship with ICL has been long term.  ICL’s impact on his organization has been consistently present over 20 years.  Now with a $1.5m budget and 16 staff, the OEC is now a state-wide advocacy force for Ohio’s environment.  Keith has led the organization as it has made its mark helping to pass tough clean water and energy legislation in Ohio, and proved its ability to work successfully across the political spectrum. 

Leaders at OEC are particularly proud of the new law clinic, now with three attorneys on staff.  The legal staff have had an enormous impact on the implementation and rule-making after legislation has been signed into law.  In leading the organization into new, high-impact strategies like the law clinic, Keith draws on the nuts and bolts of organizational development that he learned from ICL.  Involving others and drawing on community resources serve as a critical foundation for Keith leadership.  He consistently seeks to deepen OEC’s effectiveness and maintain a broad vision for the organization’s future.

“I wasn’t trained to do nonprofit management,” says Keith.  “I’m an engineer who knew water policy.  ICL has been my main source for information on organizational development issues.”  In the Leading from Within program, a session on communication particularly resonated with him. 

“You need to pay attention to what circle of people are discussing an issue.  If there is conflict or controversy, you make an effort to have closure on the topic with the right group of people,” says Keith.  “This is something I have touched on so many times since then.”