Dear members,
I am writing to share news of bittersweet staffing changes at Funders for LGBTQ issues. After eight and a half years of service leading programs in various roles, Kristina Wertz will depart at the end of the month to become the Vice President of External Affairs at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.
While I am sad to see Kristina go, I am so excited for her continued leadership in the sector, and feel lucky that we will continue to be co-conspirators in our advocacy for LGBTQ communities in philanthropy.
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I'm deeply honored to have spent nearly a decade serving our communities by supporting LGBTQ philanthropy. From growing Funding Forward to leading the collaborations that became Out in the South and Grantmakers United for Trans Communities, this work has been engaging, meaningful, and a remarkably good time. Under Saida's leadership, this organization is poised to reach new heights for philanthropy, queer and trans communities, and our staff. I will forever sing the praises of Funders for LGBTQ Issues!
- Kristina Wertz, outgoing Senior Vice President Of Engagement & Philanthropic Outreach
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I am so excited to share that Alexander Lee and Rebecca Wisotsky will move into interim vice president roles, deepening their leadership in programming, and philanthropic strategy, respectively.
Alex is a brilliant tactician, community organizer, and cultural activist, who has been a vital part of this network since his hire in 2017 as the inaugural Program Director for its Grantmakers United for Trans Communities initiative. As a community organizer and attorney, Alex was the founding Executive Director of the Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), a San Francisco-based organization of transgender, gender-variant and intersex people, inside and outside of prisons, jails, and detention centers, working to create a united family in the struggle for survival and freedom.
Rebecca is a fierce philanthropic organizer, strategist, and social worker, whose careful and thoughtful stewardship continues to ensure the long term sustainability of our mission. A recognized leader both in the philanthropic sector and LGBTQ movement building, Becca’s career spans fundraising and executive management at Astraea, as well as building sustainable methods of community based support for LGBTSTGNC People of Color at the Audre Lorde Project. During her tenure at ALP, the 3SS program grew from an idea to a comprehensive program that incorporates multiple forms of community support.
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I’m so thrilled that Alex and Becca will be stepping into interim vice president roles and building on Kristina’s incredible work and leadership. Becca and Alex are respected colleagues amongst LGBTQ movement and philanthropic leaders. I’m certain their steady leadership will guide and build our programs and philanthropic strategy so our powerful network can tackle the tremendous challenges and opportunities ahead of us.
- Rickke Mananzala, Chair of the Board of Directors of Funders for LGBTQ Issues
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Rebecca and Alex both possess powerful backgrounds and skill sets that will be invaluable in these interim positions. Please join me in congratulating Kristina, Rebecca, and Alex.
As I shared in my message to the network last month, 2022 is a year of reflection and transition for Funders for LGBTQ Issues. Together we will honor the accomplishments of our network’s forty-year history and chart the next chapter of our work together. If you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to reach out.
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Saida Agostini-Bostic
President, Funders for LGBTQ Issues
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