Global CEO-led initiative the Hydrogen Council has appointed Ivana Jemelkova as CEO, following an extensive, international search.

She succeeds Daryl Wilson, who stepped down as executive director of the Hydrogen Council in September 2023 owing to health reasons. During the nine-month transition period, Hydrogen Council operations director Steven Libbrecht acted as interim executive director, while policy and partnerships director Daria Nochevnik took on additional external representation duties. 

Jemelkova, who will assume her new role on June 3, is a recognised leader in energy and sustainability, with a record of building and managing successful coalitions and partnerships to accelerate decarbonisation.

Having most recently served as a senior MD at a global business advisory firm, her professional experience spans industry, government and nonprofits.

She has worked on hydrogen for nearly 15 years, including as an adviser to the Hydrogen Council, which she helped build in 2017. A Czech national, she has lived in Brussels and Washington, DC, and worked with diverse teams and organisations worldwide.

“We are delighted to welcome Ivana as the CEO of the Hydrogen Council and work closely together as she leads the organization through its next chapter focused on unlocking demand for clean hydrogen and creating a framework for global trade and accelerated investment. This is a crucial and exciting time for hydrogen and we are confident that Ivana’s strategic vision, innovative thinking, and deep understanding of the energy landscape will significantly advance our mission,” comments Hydrogen Council co-chairperson and Linde CEO Sanjiv Lamba.

“We could not be more pleased with the choice of Ivana as the council’s new leader. Her proven ability to build high-performing teams, foster trusted partnerships and deliver tangible impact make her the perfect fit for this key role. We are grateful to Daryl and the whole council team for their continued dedication to the council’s success and support throughout the transition process, and look forward to further building on this strong foundation,” adds co-chairperson and Kawasaki Heavy Industries chairperson Yoshinori Kanehana.