# Sierra Club's Director Ben Jealous Takes Leave Amid Controversies

Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club since 2023, has announced he is taking a leave of absence after a tumultuous tenure marked by staff unrest and layoffs. This decision follows a letter from over 100 employees raising concerns about his leadership amid a challenging political landscape.

Jealous's leave starts as tensions escalate within the organization, with a recent communication from the staff addressed to the board citing his inadequate strategy to counteract the Trump administration’s environmental policies. The letter criticized Jealous for not aligning the club’s mission with current challenges and expressed that the organization has been on a “downward spiral.” In his absence, Loren Blackford will serve as interim executive director.

Despite the Sierra Club's ongoing struggles under Jealous's leadership, a spokesman for the organization refrained from providing specific details regarding the nature of his leave. As Jealous did not respond to inquiries, the focus remains on how the Sierra Club will navigate future environmental battles in light of these internal difficulties.

Concerns regarding funding and the overall direction for the historic conservation body signal potential change ahead as the Sierra Club aims to rally its resources and redefine its strategies in the face of mounting challenges.