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| YouthPride Board President Frances-Ann Moran said the organization is ‘energized’ with the hiring of a new executive director. (Photo by Charles Huguley) |
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HOME > NEWS > LOCAL
By: DYANA BAGBY
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YouthPride officials announced Monday they have hired Woodrow Wilson Leake to be the organization’s new executive director. Leake is slated to begin the job by April 1.
“I think YouthPride has a great mission,” Leake, who is not gay, said March 19.
“All youth have challenges, but LGBTQ face more challenges than others. This organization is critically important. It has a very, very important mission and when my gay friends told me about the opening I was excited about the opportunity.”
For the past five years, Leake has worked as a consultant with other nonprofit boards and management groups to help with implementing fiduciary regulations and reporting.
He is also former CEO of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia, a former professor at the University of Vermont and headed up the Franklin Institute Awards, a program that honors achievements by men and women of science, engineering and technology.
“During my comfortable role as ‘consultant,’ I often said that only an important mission could draw me back to working for an organization,” Leake said. “YouthPride has that mission and I am proud to work with the entire organization to take it to its well-deserved next level of excellence and commitment to the well-being of our youth.”
YouthPride Board President Frances- Ann Moran said the board met Monday to verbally offer the job to Leake. Moran declined to disclose Leake’s salary.
Leake, however, said he was offered a “competitive salary” in the non-profit world for the size and mission of YouthPride. Edward Gray, who stepped down in November after four years at the helm of YouthPride, was making $63,860.
Moran said many qualified candidates applied for the job, but Leake “stood out.”
“His passion for the mission is there. Our interview process included youth and the board and the youth really warmed up to him very quickly,” she said.
“It is important they have someone they can relate to and respect and help them reach their goals,” she added.
Leake said he hopes to continue to grow YouthPride by expanding such services as HIV testing and counseling as well as providing a safe place for young people.
Leake replaces Gray, who stepped down Nov. 28 under what Moran said was “an amicable and mutual agreement.” Gray has declined interview requests on his departure.
At the time, Moran said YouthPride was looking for a new leader to take the organization into a “new direction” and provide a “fresh focus.”
“We have to stay on the cutting edge. Our role is to provide more engaging programs,” Moran said in November. “Kids are a tough market, and that’s good. We are looking for someone who is passionate about our mission, who connects very well with youth and the community as a whole — a true leader. Someone who will keep us innovative.”
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