Board Salutes Leadership, Announces Transition Process

April 23, 2012

NEW YORK-The Board of Directors of Funders for LGBTQ Issues (“Funders”) today announced that President/CEO Karen Zelermyer has decided to resign her position. Her last day with the organization will be June 29, 2012.

The Board also announced plans to retain an interim director and conduct a national search for a successor.

“Karen is an outstanding leader,” said Andrew Lane, Executive Director of the Johnson Family Foundation and Board Chair of Funders. “We are profoundly grateful for her many contributions to Funders, the field of philanthropy and the LGBTQ movement. We offer our best wishes as she undertakes new professional endeavors.”

Zelermyer served on the Funders Board from 1999-2001, as Board Co-Chair from 2001-03, as Executive Director from 2005-09 and as President/CEO since 2010. Highlights of her tenure include the publication of numerous research reports on LGBTQ philanthropy; conceptualizing and implementing cutting-edge social justice philanthropy projects (including Common Vision, the Racial Equity Campaign and the new GBTQ Men & Boys of Color initiative); organizing three national retreats for LGBTQ grantmakers; shepherding Funders through two strategic planning processes; and serving in numerous leadership capacities in the philanthropic sector.

“Representing LGBTQ issues within philanthropy during the past seven years has been an honor and a joy,” said Zelermyer. “I am particularly proud of the organization’s field leadership to increase resources for communities working at the intersection of LGBTQ rights and racial and gender justice. I leave knowing that the LGBTQ movement is stronger because of our work.”

“The Board and staff are committed to ensuring that our programming continues without interruption during this transition,” said Lane. He noted that an interim director would be retained to work with staff while the Board conducts a national search for the next President. Details on the search process will be released shortly through an executive recruiting firm.