Dear John, I am honored to have been with Equality Virginia (EV) for nearly a decade, first as Program Director in 2013, then as Deputy Director in 2016, and now as Executive Director. I’m so proud of all that we have accomplished together – from our very first Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit (TIES) to our most recent legislative victories. After this incredible tenure, it is with deep gratitude and a full heart that I announce that I will be leaving EV at the end of December 2021. I first went to graduate school for social work in 2010 with the intent of becoming a therapist, but instead I found myself drawn to the world of policy and advocacy and the large-scale impact that this type of work could have. Now, I have decided to go back to my roots and pursue my life-long dream of serving others through therapy, and I am so excited for this next chapter in my personal life and professional career. As joyful as I feel about what is ahead, I will miss working daily with our amazing staff, committed board, and incredible community members, partner organizations, legislators, allies, and volunteers from every corner of the state. The respect and appreciation that I have for each of you is immense, and, because of you, I am confident that a bright dawn for all LGBTQ Virginians is on the horizon. Since I started with Equality Virginia, we have changed and grown in significant ways, and the organization will continue to do so with new leadership. EV is headed in a bold, new direction and the staff and board are dedicated to reshaping the organization into one that is more racially just and trauma informed. We have made substantial headway in these areas, and the next executive director will have a strong foundation to build upon. There is still so much work to be done, and I hope that you will continue to support EV during this time of transition and into the next chapter of the organization’s development. The EV board will be announcing more information about the search process for the next executive director in the coming weeks, and I will do everything possible to ensure there is a smooth transition and a seamless continuation of our work. In the meantime, please know that EV is as strong as ever and we will keep providing the excellent programming, support, and advocacy that you expect from us. I am feeling hopeful for the possibilities ahead and I look forward to staying connected as we continue to make Virginia a safer and more welcoming place for all LGBTQ people. With gratitude, Vee Lamneck |
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