Today, Lambda Legal announced its search for the organization’s next CEO. McCormack + Kristel, the nation’s first and most experienced LGBTQ retained search firm, in collaboration with WB&B, an executive search firm focused on diversity and inclusion, will assist Lambda Legal’s Board of Directors.
“Lambda Legal’s Board of Directors knows how critical the CEO search is to our community, especially in times like these, so that the organization remains vigilant and a leader in the movement,” said Board Chair Anne Krook. “One of the most essential elements of this search is a diverse pool of candidates. We will conduct a thorough and thoughtful process to find the ideal candidate for the position.”
Lambda Legal has engaged McCormack+Kristel, executive search consultants for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations with an emphasis on diversity recruiting, in collaboration with WB&B, an executive search firm also focused on diversity and inclusion, to facilitate the search. Since its founding in 1993, McCormack+Kristel has completed more than 400 searches for CEOs, board members and C-suite executives for large and small nonprofit organizations across the country. Clients have included the ACLU, the Equality Federation, GLAD, Liberty Hill Foundation, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, MassEquality, Outserve/SLDN, PFLAG, Planned Parenthood, SAGE, and the Tide Foundation. WB&B has been recognized as the nation's leading minority-owned executive search firm. Established in 1973, its founding bylaws ensure an inclusive slate of qualified candidates for each client engagement. Since 2011, the firms have partnered on several high-profile CEO searches including AIDS United, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Amnesty International.
“McCormack+Kristel and WB&B are dedicated to developing an inclusive list of candidates with the skills to drive the next chapter of Lambda Legal’s work. We are honored to be working with a pillar of the LGBTQ movement during such a critical time in Lambda’s and our country’s history,” said Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner of McCormack+Kristel.
“Lambda Legal is in court on behalf of transgender people in the military, winning on behalf of transgender high school students, and taking on Social Security on behalf of LGBT seniors, and we are looking for an experienced leader and strategic thinker to join us in this fight on behalf of our community’s most vulnerable,” said Richard Burns, Interim CEO. “We are looking for someone ready to ensure that Lambda Legal’s vision of full recognition of the civil rights of the LGBT community and all who experience discrimination is realized.”
With the assistance of the search firms, staff, and stakeholders, the board will develop a job profile that highlights the various skill sets required of a new president. The final job profile will be announced and will be available on lambdalegal.org.
