New Chapter at Omni Institute: Welcoming Co-CEOs Katie Gelman and Aaron Smith

After 21 years with Omni Institute (including 11 as CEO) Jean Denious is retiring this summer. Starting April 1, 2025, Aaron Smith and Katie Gelman will lead Omni as Co-CEOs, bringing deep institutional knowledge and complementary expertise to Omni’s next phase.

This transition reflects both the strength of Omni's leadership team and our intentional approach to strategic evolution. Aaron and Katie have been leaders in Omni’s core operations and consulting business for many years. Their partnership brings both stability and forward momentum, ensuring Omni can continue to fulfill its mission of accelerating social change with continuity, depth, and collaborative vision.

Jean Denious' Legacy

Jean joined Omni in 2005 and assumed the CEO role in 2015 at a pivotal moment. She orchestrated a strategic refocusing through the wind-down of Omni's technology business, clarifying the organization's identity around what it does best: research, evaluation, and organizational development and leadership training for mission-driven organizations.

During the COVID-19 years, Jean's steady leadership enabled Omni to navigate unprecedented challenges while expanding impact and increasing revenue. Her tenure has been defined by building an organization anchored in equity, collaboration, and accountability—values that continue to shape our work.

Jean will remain at Omni through June 30 as a senior advisor, ensuring continuity through the transition.

Proven Leadership, Shared Vision

• Aaron Smith, COO since 2018, has overseen business operations, finance, human resources, technology, and organization strategy and planning. His systems-thinking approach has strengthened Omni's infrastructure and positioned the organization for sustainable growth. In his expanded role, he'll continue to focus on operational excellence while developing external partnerships and growth opportunities, and guiding enterprise strategy.
• Katie Gelman, Senior Vice President of Research since 2020, leads Omni's core research and evaluation practice. Entering her 20th year at Omni, Katie has worked across all of Omni’s content areas and led significant business expansion. A skilled methodologist and strategist, she champions rigorous, human-centered approaches that center equity and community voice. Katie will maintain oversight of Omni’s core consulting practice, methodological standards, and business line growth.

The Co-CEO Structure

The Co-CEO model is a deliberate choice that aligns with Omni's collaborative culture. Katie and Aaron have developed a Co-CEO Operating Charter that establishes clear decision-making protocols, delineates accountabilities, and defines how they'll work together and with the senior leadership team. This structure leverages their individual strengths while ensuring governance clarity and strategic coherence.

Looking Ahead

We're confident that Aaron and Katie's partnership will strengthen Omni's ability to serve mission-aligned change-makers in the government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and social venture sectors who are working to create lasting impact in their communities. With seasoned leadership, strategic clarity, and the collaborative ethos that has always distinguished our work, this transition represents both continuity and evolution.

We're grateful for Jean's leadership and energized for the next chapter.