Richard Eidlin

Richard Eidlin is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of sustainable business, public policy, and democratic engagement. For more than four decades, he has worked across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to advance economic, environmental, and social progress. Richard has helped establish and lead several influential organizations, including the American Sustainable Business Council, Business for America, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Environmental Finance Initiative, and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. Today, he works with the Horizons Project to engage business leaders in addressing the economic, social, and political challenges posed by democratic backsliding, while continuing to build coalitions that strengthen democratic institutions and promote a more sustainable economy.

Throughout his career, Richard has been a catalyst for systemic change, leading advocacy campaigns on climate policy, voting rights, campaign finance reform, workplace standards, and sustainable economic development. He has lobbied Congress, advised government leaders, taught sustainability and environmental policy at the University of Denver and Boston College, and spent a decade in the solar energy industry helping expand clean energy adoption. A skilled coalition builder and strategic advisor, Richard is known for bringing together diverse stakeholders—from business executives and labor leaders to environmental advocates and policymakers—to develop practical solutions to complex challenges. His work continues to demonstrate the power of responsible business leadership in shaping a more resilient, equitable, and democratic society.

Business Coordinator, Horizons Project