10/12/2026 - The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) announced a new strategic vision that will drive the association as it enters its next century. As ACI continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1926, the strategic vision aligns ACI around ensuring that policymakers and the public understand that Cleaning Is Essential for healthy living, thriving communities, public health, and a robust economy.
At a time when the cleaning products sector is delivering ever more innovative products to the American people and generating $88.5 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, ACI’s strategic vision will focus the association’s work around the role that cleaning products play in keeping families safe and businesses thriving, and the importance of public policies that support growth and innovation throughout the sector.
The strategic vision is organized around four imperatives that will guide ACI’s priorities and work:
- Advance the Science – Strengthen the scientific foundation for cleaning products and ingredients and ensure sound science informs decisions affecting the industry.
- Drive Policy – Advance science-based policies, standards, and frameworks that enable innovation, sustainability, public health, and a thriving cleaning products industry.
- Elevate Cleaning – Build understanding of the value of cleaning, strengthen trust in the products, science, and industry that make it possible, and connect the cleaning products sector to policymakers and other important stakeholders.
- Connect the Industry – Strengthen connections across ACI’s membership and the broader cleaning products industry, bringing industry knowledge and member insight into ACI’s work and creating opportunities to engage, collaborate, and advance shared priorities.
ACI also announced leadership appointments to advance its strategic vision.
Jim Kim, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Scientific Officer and will lead Advance the Science. Previously Senior Vice President of Science & Regulatory Affairs, Kim will lead ACI’s scientific agenda and work to ensure that sound science informs policy development and decisions affecting cleaning products and the industry.
Emily Trentacope, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Policy Officer and will lead Drive Policy. Previously Vice President of Sustainability, Trentacope will lead ACI’s policy and regulatory strategy, integrating regulatory affairs, science policy, international affairs, and sustainability to coordinate policy positions, advance industry priorities, and support innovation and growth.
Charles Crain, Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer, will lead Elevate Cleaning. Crain joined ACI in August and leads the association’s advocacy, communications, and public affairs work, with a focus on strengthening understanding of the essential role of cleaning and the industry that makes it possible.
As part of its strategic vision, ACI is building out the Connect the Industry imperative to deepen its understanding of the cleaning products industry and marketplace, strengthen member engagement, and create greater value for its members.
Supporting execution across all four strategic imperatives, Wanda Stokes has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Operations. The promotion reflects the central role that ACI’s people, culture, and internal operations will play in putting the strategic vision into practice. Stokes, formerly Vice President, Human Resources & Operations, will lead the organizational capabilities needed to support greater integration, collaboration, and execution across the association.
“Cleaning is essential to healthy lives, thriving communities and a strong economy,” said Jennifer Abril, ACI President and CEO. “As our industry continues to innovate and evolve, ACI must evolve with it. This strategic vision positions us to bring together science, policy, industry knowledge, and member engagement in new ways, strengthening our ability to serve the industry and demonstrate the value of cleaning for the next 100 years.”
Separately, after seven years with ACI, Chief Operating Officer Korie Traver will conclude her time with ACI on October 16. During her tenure, Traver has been a valued member of ACI’s leadership team and contributed to the association’s operations and organizational development, including serving as Interim Co-CEO during ACI’s most recent leadership transition.
“Korie has made meaningful, long-lasting contributions to ACI over the past seven years. We are grateful for her service to the association and our members,” said Abril.
