The Solid Waste Association of North America announced Monday that Amy Lestition Burke will leave her role as executive director and CEO after about three years in the position. The trade association did not disclose the exact date she'll depart.
Carolyn Muller, currently SWANA's vice president of industry engagement, will serve as interim CEO while the organization conducts a national search for a permanent leader, per a news release. SWANA aims to have a permanent CEO in place by the end of the year.
Burke joined SWANA in November 2023, and she was previously vice president of industry solutions at the Consumer Brands Association. During her tenure with SWANA, she helped guide the organization’s work to position industry members as employers of choice for a younger and more diverse workforce.
Burke said during a 2024 interview with Waste Dive that she was excited to helm the organization amid a shift in focus from disposal to responsible resource management. “I was brought here to be proactive and to be that change agent to move the profession and the industry forward,” she said at the time.
The organization said Monday that Burke led and helped rebuild SWANA's membership during a period of transition.
"We are grateful for her leadership, dedication, and the many contributions she has made to both SWANA and the solid waste industry. We sincerely thank Amy for her service and wish her every success in her future endeavors," SWANA wrote in its release.
It's unclear if the leadership change will have an impact on SWANA's existing programs. The organization did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
In 2024, SWANA announced it would revamp its Wastecon and Soar technical conferences to create RCon, its new flagship annual event. The second annual RCon is scheduled to take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in St. Louis.
SWANA had about 10,000 members when Burke assumed her leadership role in 2023. At the time, SWANA's board praised Burke's ability to grow partnerships and increase revenue. The organization also said she would "usher in a new vision of innovation."
