AGU announces Randy Fiser as its next CEO and Executive Director

Fiser’s career has integrated science and advanced diversity and inclusion while growing membership, revenue and market awareness of organizations

28 May 2020


WASHINGTON, May 28, 2020 — AGU, an international nonprofit association that advances Earth and space sciences, announces Randy Fiser will be its next CEO and executive director, effective August 17, 2020.

Fiser is passionate about AGU’s mission and vision, has a demonstrated ability to creatively lead organizations and shares AGU’s commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion. He is a skilled executive with strong collaborative and administrative skills, has a proven track record of working with membership organizations to advance their mission and has worked throughout his career to advance sustainability practices and goals.

He is eager to work with the AGU community to build upon the last 100 years of scientific advances by expanding both discovery and solution-based sciences through new partnerships. Fiser will also focus on ensuring science becomes a key component for all decisions around the world so that we are protecting our planet for future generations.

Randy Fiser
Credit: Cedric Terrell

Fiser joins us from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) where he was the CEO and president. By creating values-based messaging on the impact of design, Fiser turned ASID into a leading professional society. During his eight-year tenure, his accomplishments included:

  • growing membership, non-dues revenue and the awareness of the organization within its community.
  • developing new conferences and programs based on gaps in the community’s needs.
  • repositioning the organization as a thought leader through strategic alliances and partnerships.

ASID’s headquarters are the world’s first WELL and LEED Platinum office. As president and CEO, Fiser worked with scientists and engineers as well as interior designers to install features in the headquarters to improve productivity, engagement and staff retention, all of which ultimately enhanced the organization’s visibility. We are confident that he will be impressed with our award-winning building as the first net zero renovation in D.C.!

“Randy was the clear choice to lead AGU because of his proven track record of relying on science to inform major decisions. Whether that’s with ASID’s renovation or when he worked on helping to rebuild New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, he has moved science from ‘useable’ into ‘used,’ which is one of our key goals in our newly released strategic plan,” said AGU President of the Board Robin Bell. “We are confident that Randy will build upon the past 100 years of success while creating new partnerships, enhancing diversity and inclusion and elevating Earth and space sciences as an integral knowledge producer and solutions provider.”

“I am excited to join AGU and the Earth and space sciences community to help elevate the knowledge and create actionable solutions. Together with this community, we will integrate Earth and space sciences into everything everyone does so that we are better stewards of our environment for future generations around the world,” said Randy Fiser.

Fiser’s career has included senior-level positions as Achieve and Corporate Voices for Working Families. He has also worked at Burson-Marsteller, Fannie Mae Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton. Fiser started his career as a resident director at George Washington University and a graduate resident at the University of Georgia.

He also serves on the National Building Museum Board of Trustees, Delos Advisory Board and International Well Building Institute Advisory – Mind Concept.

Fiser has an MBA in international business from Georgetown University, a Master of Art in student personnel in higher education from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s in science in business administration from Northern Arizona University.

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AGU (www.agu.org) supports 130,000 enthusiasts to experts worldwide in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.