About Family Equality
Founded in 1979, Family Equality's mission is to advance legal and lived equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) families and for those who wish to form them through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change.
We envision a future where all LGBTQ+ families, regardless of creation or composition, live in communities that recognize, respect, protect, and value them. We envision a world in which everyone has the right and should have the opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, geography, socioeconomic status, disability, or the intersection of those characteristics. Finally, we envision systems of service and support that are free of discrimination and maximize opportunities for youth needing permanency and LGBTQ+ adults seeking family formation.
Core Values
Our values are the guiding tenets of our organization. They are timeless, enduring, and intrinsically important. Our core values support our vision, shape our culture, and reflect our identity. Our values reflect how we strive to go about our work and conduct ourselves.
- Pride – We celebrate LGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities as we create a better world for everyone.
- Advocacy – We leverage our power, networks, and resources to change the hearts and minds of others for the betterment of the LGBTQ+ community and our families.
- Diversity – We prioritize the presence, inclusion, and integration of perspectives and truths from all who share our purpose.
- Love – We advocate for the right to love and family.
- Courage – We are outspoken and act on what is right even when faced with discomfort, criticism, or the possibility of being humbled by a mistake.
- Collaboration – We work with individuals and organizations that share similar values to create a larger impact on common objectives rooted in equity and equality.
- Joy – We work to ensure that everyone, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community, has the opportunity to experience the joy of family.
Situation
In July 2024, following the departure of Jaymes Black, the Board of Directors appointed Board Co-Chair Alexis Kantor as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Kantor has suspended her board service until the transition to a new full-time CEO is complete, at which point, her term as Co-Chair will resume. The Board has since initiated this search for a new CEO to lead the organization into the future. This leadership transition is expected to be a turning point for an organization with tremendous potential for further growth and expansion of its policy and advocacy work and enhancement of its community and education programs impacting the lives of LGBTQ+ families across the US and beyond.
The incoming CEO will have the opportunity to significantly affect Family Equality's strategic direction and trajectory. In 2025, Family Equality intends to embark on a process to update its strategic plan to reflect evolving needs of queer families, ensuring its ability to most effectively leverage its resources, capacity, and partnerships to best fulfill its mission.
To lead this effort, the incoming CEO is expected to bring a vision for advancing equity through policy and advocacy and elevate the delivery of direct service programming. This new CEO will have the experience and skills to identify and communicate that vision, gain the trust of the Board, staff, and community stakeholders, and develop and execute the resulting strategic plan.
As Family Equality's capacity, priorities, and the needs of LGBTQ+ families continue to align, the organization is uniquely positioned to advance the equal recognition and protections of queer families through its Federal and State-level policy work, growing visibility, and coalition-building with Movement partners and the families it supports. This position is well understood and articulated by a Board of Directors eager to embrace and support a new leader intent on fostering innovation; inspiring and driving growth in revenue, policy, and impact; maintaining operational excellence; and strengthening capabilities and effectiveness while being a respected leader and collaborator. It is incumbent on the organization's executive leadership to maintain momentum and further entrench Family Equality's vision into the framework of the equality movement nationwide.
Success for the CEO will be predicated on their willingness to be hands-on, close to the work and the issues, and understand and be accountable for outcomes as they affect each and every family and organizational stakeholder.
Position Summary
Family Equality seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into a new era of influence and impact. The CEO is responsible for all financial, operational, administrative, policy, and advocacy aspects of the daily organizational management of the agency, including but not limited to fundraising, public relations, financial management, organizational development, and staffing. This executive leader liaises with national, state, regional, and local organizations and coordinates the contributions of diverse groups of board members, donors, staff, and allied organizations.
The CEO works under authority granted by the Board of Directors to define priorities, build and develop a strategic vision and objectives, implement a forthcoming Strategic Plan, and ensure programmatic and fiscal accountability, all in the interest of organizational growth.
Additionally, the CEO, with support from senior leadership and the Board of Directors, will be responsible for building and implementing Family Equality's next Strategic Plan, which, in part, will include:
- Designing and managing an annual budget of $4 million with a growth target of $6-7 million by fiscal year 2028
- Building a successful fundraising program with diversified revenue streams
- Maintaining an enterprise-wide emphasis on fiscal responsibility and revenue growth
- Building relationships with and meaningfully engaging Family Equality's Board of Directors and Emeritus Board
- Elevating policy efforts and legislative impact
- Expanding the scope of programs offered and networks of allied organizations
- Cultivating an organizational culture that is second to none in its championship of Family Equality's mission, advocacy for one another and for those whom we serve
- Providing professional development, management training, and coaching opportunities that build our people up so they can go anywhere, in an environment where they choose to stay
- Developing and implementing a marketing and communications strategy which systematically changes the narrative about queer families in the United States
- Building a grassroots network of queer families to serve as an effective advocacy movement
- Developing and disseminating thought leadership and action statements
Among the CEO's most meaningful priorities will be to ensure our continued focus on achieving excellence in diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging (DEIB). It is paramount to the Family Equality community that our talented professionals and volunteers represent all people and communities we serve, especially BIPOC families, and that our collective work and individual contributions are exceedingly inclusive of all identities.
Leadership Profile
Family Equality's ideal CEO is a dynamic, charismatic, mission-driven executive, a proven, successful high-level fundraiser, and a seasoned people leader. They are inspiring, authentic, and diplomatic; financially and operationally savvy; experienced in managing and overseeing complex programs, including those funded by federal, state, and private foundation grants.
They possess a well-developed executive presence and an ability to externally represent Family Equality confidently, skillfully, and strategically, elevating the organization's profile throughout its various communities of current and prospective funders, clients, and partner organizations.
They have the humility and curiosity first to observe and learn the vastness of its policy and education work, recognizing the strength and effectiveness of the professionals leading those various departments and programs. They are resilient in the face of political ambiguity, opposition, and adversity; they are adaptable and decisive.
The next CEO is a systemic thinker and problem-solver who exercises irreproachable integrity and judgment, especially when addressing enterprise-level opportunities for growth and improvement. They are a transformative thinker; a compelling, long-term visionary with the capacity and appetite to execute, and a leader who inspires, motivates, and empowers those in their charge.
With experience managing and navigating large-scale change, complex leadership transitions, and intentional organizational growth, the new CEO will usher Family Equality into its next 45 years of impact, protecting hard-won rights and securing new ones so that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families and experience the unconditional love, safety, and belonging a family brings. Additional leadership characteristics include:
- Serves as a catalyst—an agent that provokes or accelerates significant change or action
- Strategic thinker—maintains a long-term, big-picture view and implements strategy effectively
- Community-focused—creates value for stakeholders and makes people feel valued by delivering on commitments and exceeding expectations
- Results-driven—expects and ensures high levels of performance in self and others
- Relationship builder that encourages teamwork and partnerships throughout the organization and the Movement
- Maximizes talent by creating a work environment that inspires people to be motivated, engaged, and productive
- Serves others—promotes the organization's values by demonstrating optimism and the highest standards of integrity and ethics
- Seeks and assumes volunteer leadership roles in the community
Essential Job Functions
Organizational Development
- Prepare and present an annual budget to the Board of Directors, maintaining fiscal responsibility for the annual budget and reporting to the Board regularly
- Provide leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and other staff and carry out plans and policies as authorized by the Board
- In partnership with the Board, facilitate a periodic, comprehensive strategic planning process to identify the organization's overarching vision and strategic objectives for the near-term
- Once codified, implement the organization's Board-approved Strategic Plan and implement other Board and agency plans promptly
Finance, Management, and Administration
- Oversee and manage financial consultant for the effective management of the annual budget
- Prepare and present an annual budget to the Board of Directors
- Ensure programmatic and fiscal accountability and compliance with federal, state, local laws
- Provide leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and other staff and carry out plans and policies as authorized by the Board
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in fundraising, public policy, and other issues related to the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+-specific services
- Maintain fiscal responsibility for the annual budget and report to the Board regularly
Policy + Program Leadership and Oversight
- Oversee and advise a bold, progressive, comprehensive policy agenda, working collaboratively with other movement leaders to advance the cause of LGBTQ+ equality for families and families-to-be through legislative and regulatory reform
- Facilitates the focus of a policy agenda on protecting the parent/child relationship, marriage equality, and other nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents and their children
- Represents the organization and the needs of LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be in various movement-wide settings—including at the White House, on Capitol Hill, with leaders from allied organizations, and among mainstream family advocacy organizations
- Oversee the current programs of the agency and work with staff to develop programs to achieve the objectives of the agency's Strategic Plan
- Ensure the continued and intentional development of programs focused on serving BIPOC families and other historically underserved communities
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality and relevant services for LGBTQ+ families, including research and the monitoring and evaluation of programmatic effectiveness
Development + Fundraising
- Eagerness to serve as the organization's primary fundraiser and donor steward
- In partnership with the Vice President, Philanthropy + Strategic Partnerships, oversee and lead fundraising efforts across all revenue streams, including but not limited to individual giving, government grants, events, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, foundation grants, planned giving, digital and grassroots fundraising, and direct response
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations, government agencies, corporate sponsorships, and other stakeholders to secure funding, resources, and support for Family Equality initiatives
- As an accountability partner to the Vice President, Philanthropy + Strategic Partnerships, ensure effective fundraising across diversified revenue streams; provide strategic guidance; set expectations for and introduce accountability measures for rigorous follow-up and regular analysis for continued improvement
- Maintain awareness of grant opportunities and the submission of grant applications
- Ensure compliance with all grants, contracts, and partner agreements
- Provide leadership in developing fundraising plans with staff and the Board of Directors
- Motivate and activate the Board of Directors in raising funds for the organization through all channels and where appropriate
Board Relations
- Identify the organization's overall vision and trajectory in partnership with the Board
- Guide the Board of Directors through periodic enterprise-level strategic planning exercises
- Manage upward to ensure the Board of Directors is actively engaged in maintaining and promoting the vision and mission of the agency and achieving the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan
- Initiate and assist in recommending and developing policies and setting priorities
- Keep the Board and Executive Committee fully informed on the condition of the agency and other important factors affecting the health and sustainability of the organization
- Involve each Board member to reach their optimal potential while serving in that role
- Work with the Board Co-Chairs to ensure an effective and efficient committee structure
- Engage Board committees intentionally and strategically, encouraging activity and productivity between Board meetings
- Communicate regularly with the Board Co-Chairs and Committee Chairs
- Assist the Board Co-Chairs in planning the agenda and materials for the Board meetings and Board retreats
- Assist the Board by maintaining and promoting the vision and mission of the agency and in achieving the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan
External + Public Relations
- Act as the key face and voice of the organization and our mission for media outlets, speaking engagements, major donors, and funders, among other audiences; cultivate additional colleagues as surrogates poised to act in your stead
- Build and oversee the implementation of communications and marketing mechanisms and plans to strategically engage media outlets and elevate the profile of the organization
- Enthusiastically represent the Family Equality vision and impact to the LGBTQ+ family community, corporate groups, and other stakeholders
- Establish and strengthen relationships with local, regional, and national organizations and leaders in the LGBTQ+ movement and allied spaces
- Identify and develop new partnerships with corporate leaders and political influencers
- Responsible for maintaining and protecting the Family Equality brand and further building its brand recognition
Government Relations
- Establish and develop relationships with federal and state government representatives and policymakers
- Increase the visibility of the organization among government representatives and agencies
- Establish and maintain close ties to influential and prospective allies in the halls of power, including but not limited to the White House, US Congress, and other Federal agencies, as well as state legislatures, advocacy organizations, and state-level equality organizations
People + Culture
- Be the primary culture carrier within the organization, fostering a radically inclusive, diverse environment in which all voices are lifted up, perspectives are valued, and everyone and their respective identities experience a profound sense of belonging
- Prioritize organizational values at all times and lead by example
- Ensure Family Equality's workforce + volunteer leaders reflect the diversity of those we serve
- Develop and administer personnel policies; ensure proper hiring and termination procedures as required by law
- Directly supervise at least four to six senior/executive staff members
- Provide adequate supervision and evaluation of all staff and volunteers
- Encourage staff professional development and education
Qualifications
Education + Experience Requirements
- Proven track record of visionary leadership and strategic growth in the nonprofit, policy, or advocacy sectors, with a minimum of seven years of senior or executive leadership experience
- At least 10-15 years of overall professional work experience with progressively increasing responsibility
- Preference for nonprofit management experience; public and corporate sector leaders with working knowledge of the nonprofit sector + volunteer leadership will be equally considered
- Demonstrated expertise in building and leading coalitions or movements, mobilizing diverse stakeholders around a shared vision or cause.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education/work experience.
- Basic understanding of family policy issues, equality and human rights principles, and advocacy strategies, with a commitment to representing all queer families
Skills + Competencies
- Proven experience in fiscal management with an organization of comparable size and complexity; exceptional skills in budgeting, cash flow management, and financial analysis
- Demonstrated commitment to and proven experience in public policy issues related to equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTQ+ and allied communities
- Experience working with and overseeing policy, programs, fundraising, and external relations
- Strong entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities, innovate solutions, and drive organizational growth and strategy
- Experience developing and implementing a fundraising strategy/plan, with proven skill in fund development through various techniques (including major donor cultivation, grant writing, institutional partnerships, planned giving, etc.)
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with a keen ability to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as donors, partner organizations, federal and state officials, and community members
- Ability to plan, direct, delegate, and coordinate work activities; to interview, train, and supervise; to assess and resolve work problems; to make decisions; to interpret and apply Board policy; to work cooperatively, effectively with professionals and community groups
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present and speak publicly on relevant issues, to articulate a compelling vision, build consensus, and inspire action among diverse audiences
- Demonstrated experience in recruiting, leveraging, managing, and collaborating with a nonprofit Board of Directors
- Comfort with technology; ability to enhance systems and work with a variety of software and online applications
Attributes of Success
- Deep commitment to the Family Equality mission and vision
- Passion for LGBTQ+ issues with a commitment to championing equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTQ+ families
- Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within all aspects of the work, including the communities served, the Board, and the staff
- People-oriented/relationship-based professional with the ability to create a connected community among those who identify as LGBTQ+ and the broader community
- Personal embrace of all identities represented throughout the organization and community; accepting of others' lived experience, adversities, attitudes, and identities; good interpersonal skills and the ability to work on a team
- Creativity and flexibility in aligning strategic goals with organizational capacity
- Decisive yet diplomatic; inclined to employ process, collaboration, and teamwork to achieve results
- Ability to motivate, inspire, and empower others, as well as to appropriately delegate to achieve efficiency and effectiveness
- Entrepreneurial energy with proven business acumen and affinity for the mission
- Solution-oriented approach with exceptional organizational skills
- Roll-up-your-sleeves mentality; willingness and desire to be in the trenches working alongside staff and volunteer leaders as necessary
Reporting Relationships †
The CEO reports directly to the Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors and has the following supervisory responsibilities:
- Executive Vice President, External Affairs
- Executive Vice President, Operations (vacant)
- Vice President, Public Policy
- Vice President, Philanthropy + Strategic Partnerships
- Vice President, Communications + Marketing
- Associate Vice President, Finance
† The above represents the overarching supervisory responsibility of the CEO to their executive team; the direct report structure among the executive team is currently under development and will include the new CEO's perspective to achieve the optimal management structure going forward
Compensation + Benefits
The expected salary range for this CEO position is approximately $225,000-$250,000. This is a good-faith estimate of what Family Equality expects to pay for this position. The final salary will consider a person's experience, accomplishments, leadership potential, and all elements of the employment package offered to the chosen candidate. Family Equality is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.
Family Equality is 100% committed to revolutionizing the workplace, with the goal of demonstrating to the larger LGBTQ+ Movement that a human-centered workplace based in equity and justice is an effective workplace where we can thrive as we work to change the world. The following is an overview of some of the benefits made available to eligible employees from the first day to the last day of employment unless otherwise indicated:
- One hundred percent employer-paid group health premium for individual employee
- Dental + Vision Insurance
- Basic 100% employer-paid Life and AD+D insurance provided to eligible employees
- Additional voluntary benefits available (100% employee-paid), including:
- Critical illness and accident insurance coverage
- Additional Life and AD+D coverage available for employees and dependents
- Short- and long-term disability benefits
- Individual 401(k) retirement plan with 1% employer match + discretionary additional 1% as finances allow (available after 90 days of employment)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Spending Account (HSA) options
- Alternating 32-hour work week for most months in 2024 (subject to change)
- Three weeks paid vacation, ten days health time, three personal days
- Thirteen paid holidays
- Scheduled week off in summer (week of July 4th)
- Winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
- Paid family medical leave
As a reflection of our firm's commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cooper Coleman requires that salary ranges or starting points be published for every search we conduct. The practice of not posting salaries perpetuates the gender and racial wage gap and discriminates against women, people of color, and other historically excluded populations by causing individuals to negotiate from a disadvantaged starting point.
Location
This position is fully remote, with Washington, DC, or the East Coast as preferred locations. The successful candidate is required to work full-time from a home or personal office.
EEO + Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Family Equality provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Women, people of color, transgender individuals, and members of other underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Background Checks + Credentials Verification
Before sending your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. Cooper Coleman verifies its candidates' employment and academic credentials at the time of offer.
Family Equality performs background checks on all volunteers and staff members as a condition of employment. However, Family Equality also supports and encourages formerly convicted people to be active in their community.
Background check results that indicate a conviction do not necessarily disqualify you from employment—Family Equality reserves the right to request further information to fully assess an applicant's candidacy in relation to the job duties associated with the position.
Submission Instructions (read carefully)
Cooper Coleman is leading this search on behalf of Family Equality. To apply, please visit this link (www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches). All Expressions of interest should be made via this application. Inquiries and nominations of qualified candidates can be sent to:
Johnny Cooper | johnny@coopercoleman.com
Kindly use the position title as the subject line of your email. All inquiries are confidential.
A cover letter is not required with your initial application but is welcomed to help us understand your fitness for this role during our initial evaluation. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to provide a thoughtful letter of interest indicating their specific qualifications for the opportunity, desire to join Family Equality, and connection to its mission. Candidates advanced to final interviews may also be asked to complete an occupational personality questionnaire or leadership assessment.
Cooper Coleman LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, age, ability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
