In December 2024, the American Chemical Society Board of Directors approved the 2025–29 ACS Strategic Plan to guide the organization over the next 5 years. This strategic plan is intended to be a living document that upholds the needs and priorities of the society. It not only supports ACS during its 150th anniversary this year but also lays the groundwork for continued success in the next 150 years.With the plan in effect for 1 year, now is an excellent time to holistically present it to you and highlight some of our initial achievements. These successes demonstrate the early impact of the strategic plan and set the foundation for future accomplishments.The plan builds on our ACS commitment to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Our ACS vision of a world built on science. Our ACS mission to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity. Along with our commitment, vision, and mission, the plan outlines our core values of a passion for science, lifelong learning, inclusion and belonging, and sustainability.This is thoughtfully aligned to integrate purposeful action across all levels of the society and foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration that drives meaningful impact in the chemical sciences. However, what drives much action at the core of the plan are our strategic goals. These four goals are to elevate the reputation of science, enhance community engagement, empower scientists, and deliver innovative solutions. As we think about the first strategic goal to Elevate the
Will Lynch, chair, Committee on Strategic Planning (2026) studied this question.