Lincoln Institute of Land Policy CEO to Step Down; Search for Successor Launched 

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Lincoln Institute of Land Policy President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. George “Mac” McCarthy has announced that he will step down at the end of 2025 after more than a decade of dedicated and strategic leadership of the institute.

“It has been a great honor to serve the Lincoln Institute in this role and witness the incredible impact the organization has had on land policy conversations and innovations around the world,” said McCarthy. “The Lincoln Institute has become a driving force in helping communities find solutions in land to address important social, economic, and environmental issues, and I look forward to championing the institute’s work in the years to come.”

During his tenure, McCarthy grew the organization significantly. His work to expand the organization’s relevance and impact is evidenced by numerous achievements, including establishing a partnership with Claremont Lincoln University, developing state-of-the-art technology to tell parcel-level stories of land use with unprecedented detail, and growing the Lincoln Institute’s presence on a global scale through its work in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

“The Lincoln Institute board and staff are so grateful for Mac’s steadfast leadership over the past decade,” said Kathryn J. Lincoln, chair of the Board of Directors. “He has positioned us well for new leadership and our next era of delivering cutting-edge research, technical assistance, and convenings to communities.”

The board has launched a nationwide search for its next president and CEO, who will steer the institute toward continued excellence and innovation in land policy—communicating the institute’s mission to a wide audience, including academics, policy leaders, government officials, and the public. The next CEO will be based, as McCarthy has, in the institute’s Colonial Revival headquarters and house in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The board will be assisted by the international executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles’ Social Impact Practice, which specializes in leadership transitions for philanthropy, government, higher education, academic and mission-driven clients. The Heidrick team will be led by Heidrick partners Jackie Zavitz and J.J. Cutler.

Expressions of interest and nominations for the position of president and CEO can be sent to LILPCEO@heidrick.com.

Read the complete position specifications.