Today, Family Equality shares the news that Chief Executive Officer Stan Sloan has determined that having led the organization through a period of sustained growth in the past four years, it is the right time for him to move on to his next professional challenge. Sloan will step down from his position by October 1, 2020. In the coming weeks the Family Equality Board of Directors will launch a national executive search for the next CEO.
In July 2016, Sloan joined Family Equality, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ families and those who wish to form them. Under Sloan’s leadership, Family Equality has risen to the challenge posed by an administration determined to roll back progress for LGBTQ+ families, launching effective new advocacy campaigns at the federal and state level, expanding its services to support LGBTQ+ people who wish to become parents, and welcoming thousands of new supporters to its network. Sloan will leave the organization in a stronger financial position than it has ever experienced in its 40+ year history.
The Rev. Stan J. Sloan made the following statement:
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with Family Equality over the past four years, and I couldn’t have asked for a more talented, enthusiastic team to tackle the challenges facing LGBTQ+ families in our country. I’m proud of the growth we’ve accomplished together, and believe Family Equality is poised for even stronger growth and greater impact in the years ahead.
“Family Equality has grown and evolved dramatically over the past four years: we expanded our focus to encompass LGBTQ+ family building, and will continue ramping up our capacity to serve our community with significantly expanded online resources.
“Our understanding of Family Equality’s mission has also grown. It is increasingly clear that our goal of full lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ families cannot be realized without also addressing the combined challenges of racial justice, economic justice, and gender justice.
“Even as I step down from this leadership role, I remain committed to Family Equality’s mission, and am energized to see this organization continue to advance equality for LGBTQ+ families as I move on to my next professional challenge.”
Family Equality Board Chair Erica Horton and Board Chair Emeritus Nancy Lyons said in a statement:
“Stan has delivered remarkable results for Family Equality since he joined the team in 2016. At the time when Stan joined the organization, we were in need of new leadership to chart a course towards greater financial stability, and to re-energize our work to meet the needs of existing and prospective LGBTQ+ families. Despite a challenging political climate, Stan’s leadership has brought unprecedented financial stability and growth for the organization and a series of strategic steps forward in our mission and programmatic reach. We thank Stan for his service to LGBTQ+ families.
“The Family Equality Board has a clear understanding of the challenges facing LGBTQ+ families, and is committed to guiding the organization through a leadership transition that lays a strong foundation for the years ahead.”
Over the past four years, Family Equality has made significant progress in expanding its digital reach, moving program delivery and communications online, launching a robust new video storytelling program, and establishing an online training center to increase LGBTQ+ competency. Alongside these programmatic shifts, Family Equality acknowledges the organization’s mission, staff, and programming must evolve to more effectively reach and serve members of the LGBTQ+ community who are confronted with the greatest injustices as a result of systemic racism, economic insecurity, and other inequities that intersect with anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. The Board and Staff of Family Equality have made a renewed commitment to centering race equity in the organization’s mission and work, while continuing the struggle for full lived and legal equality for every LGBTQ+ family.