Funders for LGBTQ Issues announces the key staff departures and promotions as the organization undergoes a transformation during a period of strategic planning.

Summer Departures

Following impactful tenures at the organization, Rebecca Wisotsky and Andrew Wallace will step down from their roles to pursue new opportunities. While we are sad to see these talented colleagues leave, their contributions have made our network stronger.

After her seven-year tenure at Funders for LGTBQ Issues Rebecca Wisotsky will join Wellspring Philanthropic Fund as a Program Officer on the SOGIE team, where she will contribute her expertise in fundraising and LGBTQ organizations to a leading donor of LGBTQ communities in the U.S. and abroad.

“Working with Funders for LGBTQ Issues has been a highlight of my career. I see so much potential in the organization under Saida’s leadership and with our leaderful team. During my time working in philanthropy I have seen the sector change. New queer and trans leaders are entering philanthropy and are working to shift the culture to be more supportive of LGBTQ movements. This team is well positioned to support these leaders and their efforts to change the norms of philanthropy. I am so pleased I will be able to support this work in my new role as a program officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, a core member of Funders for LGBTQ Issues.” 

– Rebecca Wisotsky

Rebecca joined Funders in 2015 as the Executive Associate. In her most recent role leading our membership and development team, Rebecca refined our philanthropic outreach strategy to increase our membership and increase philanthropic dollars moving to LGBTQ communities. She was also one of the architects of our foundation training program, launched in 2020, and helped launch the biannual Pride in Philanthropy Awards in 2017. Her last day will be July 28th, 2022.

Since joining Funders for LGBTQ Issues in 2016, Andrew Wallace has worked to build the organization’s capacity and amplify our sector-leading research and advocacy efforts. For the past two years, he has led research and communications initiatives at Funders for LGBTQ Issues as the Vice President of Research and Communications. In addition to serving as a researcher and author of numerous projects and reports, including the annual tracking report and Global Resources Report, Andrew has played an integral role in a number of organizational initiatives.

“It has been an honor to work to advance the mission of Funders for LGBTQ Issues these past six years. I believe that this moment requires philanthropy to challenge established practices and do more to confront the urgent crisis we face. Funders, under Saida’s visionary leadership, is well-positioned to do this critical work and ensure LGBTQ voices and needs are supported and centered in this field. I am so pleased to be able to support the team in an advisory role through our strategic planning process and help to sustain the capacity of our research program in the months ahead.”

– Andrew Wallace

Andrew will step down from his role on August 4th, after which he will support the organization on key projects through the 2022 strategic planning process as a Senior Advisor.

Summer Staff Promotions 

These transitions come at a time of wider staffing changes also announced in July.

Alexander Lee will assume a newly created role to become our first Deputy Director. Alex will support our strategic growth while continuing to lend his expertise in overseeing programming and philanthropic organizing activities.

Marvin Webb has been promoted to CFO and will continue to guide all operations and financial management.

Chantelle Fisher Borne is now Senior Project Director of Out in the South and will continue to deepen our work to mobilize resources in the South.

April Bethea is our new Director of Philanthropic Outreach and will oversee development and membership engagement strategies to raise funds and build our membership base.

You can read more about these organizational changes and other plans to expand organization capacity in this message from Saida Agostini-Bostic.