Listen to Victoria and Jennifer’s Conversation Here:
Record attendance, industry transformation, and the push for science-backed clarity are setting the tone for the American Cleaning Institute’s centennial year. Jennifer Abril, ACI’s new leader, joins host Victoria Meyer to share how the organization is meeting member demands for authoritative guidance and consumer trust amidst regulatory pressures and rapid industry change.
- ACI’s 100th anniversary: new era, leadership, and vision
- Science-driven advocacy and combating industry misinformation
- Leading industry transformation and embracing innovation
- Regulatory hurdles and TSCA modernization efforts
- Jennifer Abril’s vision: partnerships and strategic direction
Killer Quote: “We really believe that consumers are looking for a trusted authoritative body. That’s a responsibility that we have and it is a responsibility that our member companies have specifically asked me to lead the organization into – to really step into that gap.” – Jennifer Abril
Watch Victoria and Jennifer’s Conversation on Youtube Here:
Jennifer Abril, ACI at 100, and the Future of the Cleaning Industry
As the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) marks its 100th anniversary, change is in the air. The cleaning products industry, like the broader chemical sector, is at a crossroads. New leadership, shifting markets, and an evolving regulatory landscape bring both opportunity and challenge. On this recent episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer sat down with Jennifer Abril, ACI’s new President and CEO, who took the helm in late 2025. Their conversation, recorded during ACI’s annual convention, which drew a record 1,400 attendees, explores how the organization is preparing for its next century. Here’s what stood out.
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ACI’s Centennial: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Celebrating 100 years is no small achievement. For Jennifer, who has collaborated with ACI and its predecessor organizations throughout her career, leading ACI at this historic time is a point of pride. She described the centennial as both a capstone and a launchpad: “This organization has been really a standout leader for the cleaning products industry…I couldn’t be more proud to be here as it launches its next century.”
The move to a larger convention venue for the centennial was itself symbolic. It not only accommodated growth as the gathering drew record attendance, but reinforced the role these meetings play in building connections and setting the agenda for the year ahead. The robust turnout, despite a challenging period for the industry, signaled strong engagement and resilience. As Jennifer observed, “You really can’t take a step back when it comes to being here and being present at this convention.”
Science-Based Leadership in a Time of Uncertainty
One of the most consistent themes both from Jennifer’s keynote and the broader convention was the centrality of science. With the cleaning sector facing fast-moving challenges like regulatory changes, market volatility, and public skepticism the need for credible, science-backed information is sharper than ever.
Jennifer emphasized ACI’s commitment to being a “science-based, authoritative voice.” This goes beyond technical expertise. In today’s “bring-your-own-science environment,” as she called it, consumers are faced with a flood of (sometimes inaccurate) information, amplified by social media. The result? Confusion and trust deficits, even with traditional authorities.
For ACI, this means doubling down on transparency, clarity, and proactive communication. Whether combating misinformation or helping members navigate emerging regulatory and market demands, Jennifer Abril sees the Institute’s role as both advocate and “lighthouse,” guiding the industry and its consumers through complexity.
Listening, Partnerships, and the ACI ‘Lighthouse’
As Jennifer Abril settles into her new leadership position, she has embarked on a ‘listening tour’ with ACI members and partners. This feedback reinforced several priorities: the era of transformation is here, and members aren’t just looking for representation—they’re seeking partnership, intelligence, and shared vision.
She found members want ACI to “step into that gap” left by eroding trust elsewhere (government, media) and to help shape, not just respond to, the future. Intelligence sharing, convening for strategic alignment, and pushing innovative thinking are all part of the job ahead.
Policy, Innovation, and the Road to Modernization
Regulatory issues, especially around bringing new chemistries to market, remain a top challenge. Modernizing the TSCA new chemicals process is the highest policy priority, as slow and unpredictable regulatory pathways hamper innovation. While progress may not be visible day-to-day, Jennifer Abril voiced new optimism, citing strong leadership within EPA’s chemicals division.
At the same time, innovation on the product side is visible, with new approaches to sustainability, reduced water usage, and advances in scent and functionality drawing attention at this year’s convention. These developments underscore what Jennifer Abril called “a transformational time” for policy, products, and industry culture alike.
What’s Next: Vision, Advocacy, and the Consumer Connection
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, ACI is preparing to refresh its strategic vision. With a centennial celebration planned in Washington, D.C. for policymakers and a new North Star in the works, Jennifer is focused on building for the future: “How can we be creative in making sure that we are positioning the industry for the greatest success?”
Modernizing outreach, tapping into movements like “cleanfluencers” on platforms such as TikTok, and emphasizing the essential role of cleaning products in health and safety are all in play. For both ACI and its new leader, the next century is about bold advocacy, science, and a renewed partnership with consumers and stakeholders.
ACI’s centennial isn’t just a retrospective—it’s a pivot point. As the industry faces new challenges and opportunities, the themes of science, partnership, and forward-thinking leadership remain central. With Jennifer Abril at the helm, ACI is set to champion not just the interests of its members, but the progress and trust that the entire cleaning products sector relies on.
About Jennifer Abril:
Jennifer Abril, President & CEO – ACI
Jennifer Abril led SOCMA for nearly a decade before becoming ACI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under her leadership, SOCMA refreshed its programming and offered new opportunities to develop business partnerships and build industry connections across the supply chain. She previously served as the association’s Director of Performance Improvement between 2006-2008 and was responsible for the development and implementation of ChemStewards®.
Prior to serving as SOCMA’s leader, Abril was President of the International Fragrance Association, North America from 2008-2016. She earned a B.A. in International Studies from The American University and holds a M.S. in Management from the University of Maryland, University College.