Meet Joe Hollendoner, new CEO of Los Angeles LGBT Center
Los Angeles LGBT Center has announced its selection of a new Chief Executive Officer.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Joe Hollendoner, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, as the Center’s next leader. Hollendoner will assume the role of executive director on July 6 and work with Center CEO Lorri L. Jean prior to succeeding her as CEO upon Jean’s retirement in July 2022.
“It is an honor of a lifetime to be selected to lead the Los Angeles LGBT Center following such an iconic leader as Lorri Jean. I look forward to working with the Center’s board, staff, and partners to ensure that the Center not only continues to be a trusted provider of care to the communities it currently serves but that we deepen our work to address the racial disparities and systemic racism that prohibits all members of the LGBTQ+ community from thriving,” said Hollendoner. “I also remain committed to maintaining and expanding the Center’s role as a national and global LGBTQ+ movement leader.”
Hollendoner’s selection capped a four-month national search completed by Koya Partners that sought candidates from government, business, and a wide range of non-profit organizations.
“The Center’s Board of Directors is thrilled that Joe will soon be joining us on his way to becoming the organization’s new CEO,” said Susan Feniger, co-chair of the Center’s Board of Directors. “His commitment to the LGBTQ community, experience as an organizational leader, proven track record on and passion for racial and economic justice, and his vision for the future is exactly what the Center wants and needs.”
Hollendoner has led San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) since 2016. During his tenure, he spearheaded the adoption of a new five-year strategic plan in 2019 that prioritized the expansion of health and social services and established racial justice as a fundamental principle to guide the organization’s growth. During his nearly five years at SFAF, he has grown revenue by 84 percent and significantly increased corporate and private donations to support the organization’s life-saving services.
“While we are saddened to see Joe leave San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Bay Area, I can think of no better person to lead the Los Angeles LGBT Center into its bright future,” said Maureen Watson, board chair of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “The Center and SFAF have a special partnership and I know Joe will work to ensure it continues to flourish. I am also confident that SFAF will continue the trajectory that Joe has put it on through his work developing our strategic plan and building a strong board and leadership team.”
Hollendoner has a background in health and youth services. He has been part of the LGBTQ movement since coming out as gay at the age of 16. With nearly 25 years of movement leadership, he has proven himself to be a trusted collaborator and ally to all members of the LGBTQ community. Hollendoner has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Phill Wilson, longtime AIDS activist and founder of the Black AIDS Institute, praised the Board’s selection of Hollendoner.
“We are living in uncertain and unprecedented times,” said Wilson. “At times like this leadership matters. The Los Angeles LGBT Center is a vitally important organization for our community, and it is also large and very complex. Joe is one of the few people in the country with the skills, experience, and passion required to lead this organization into the future. Joe is a friend and colleague who I trust. I am confident, with our support, he will be the kind of leader the Center and we need at a time like this.”
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.
Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.
