ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE

CEO Dan Barker to step down in the first half of 2027 following nearly five years of leadership; global executive search firm Perrett Laver to lead national search.

WASHINGTON, DC — October, 7 2026 — Halcyon today announced that CEO Dan Barker will step down from his role in the first half of 2027, following nearly five years at the organization. Barker and Halcyon’s Board of Directors have been working together to plan for the transition and ensure continuity as the organization enters its next chapter of growth.

Halcyon is launching a national search for its next CEO in the coming weeks, led by global executive search firm Perrett Laver in partnership with the organization’s Board of Directors. Barker will remain fully engaged as CEO throughout the search and transition process.

Barker joined Halcyon in 2022 first as managing director and taking over as CEO in 2024, after a relationship with the organization spanning nearly a decade as a volunteer and pro bono partner. During his tenure as CEO, Halcyon has sharpened its focus on supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs and expanded the reach of its programs.

Today, Halcyon’s community includes more than 700 founders from over 60 countries building ventures that address pressing social and environmental challenges. Since its roots at the historic Halcyon House in Washington, DC, the organization has developed a global hybrid model that in 2026 will support nearly 100 founders through in-person residencies in 11 cities across seven countries. In August, TIME recognized Halcyon as the #12 accelerator in the United States and #1 for social impact.

“Leading Halcyon has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Barker. “I first came to know Halcyon nearly 12 years ago, and I could never have imagined then the organization and global community it would become. I am incredibly proud of what our team has built and grateful to our Board, partners, supporters, and especially the founders who inspire our work every day. Halcyon is in a position of real strength and momentum, and I believe this is the right time to begin preparing for its next generation of leadership.”

Martha Metz, Chair of the Halcyon Board of Directors, said Barker’s tenure has positioned the organization for continued growth and impact.

“Dan has led Halcyon through an extraordinary period of evolution and growth,” said Metz. “Under his leadership, Halcyon has expanded its reach, strengthened its programs, built new partnerships, and remained relentlessly focused on the entrepreneurs at the heart of its mission. Just as importantly, he has built an exceptional team and a strong organization that is prepared for this transition. The Board is deeply grateful for Dan’s leadership and his commitment to ensuring a thoughtful and seamless handoff.”

Halcyon will also undergo a scheduled Board leadership transition in January 2027, when Jose Gordon, Head of Social Impact at Amazon Web Services, succeeds Metz as Chair of the Board. Gordon will work closely with Metz, Barker, the Board, and Perrett Laver throughout the CEO search and transition.

“Halcyon has built something special: a global community that backs ambitious entrepreneurs who are taking on some of the world’s toughest challenges,” said Gordon. “The opportunity now is to build on that strong foundation and think boldly about what Halcyon can become in its next chapter. I look forward to working with Martha, Dan, our fellow Board members, and the Halcyon team to identify an exceptional next CEO who shares that ambition and can lead the organization into its next era of impact.”

Barker will continue to lead Halcyon until the transition to a new CEO is complete. He has not announced plans for his next role and intends to remain an active supporter of Halcyon and its community following his departure. Halcyon’s programs, partnerships, and support for founders will continue as planned throughout the leadership transition.

“Whatever comes next for me, I know I will continue to be a champion for Halcyon’s founders and its mission,” Barker added. “My role may change, but my belief in this community will not. There is still plenty of work ahead of us, and I am excited about what we will accomplish together in the months to come.”

Additional information about the CEO opportunity, including the position profile, application process, and information for prospective candidates and nominators, is available HERE.