Nationwide Search Underway for New President & CEO
Washington, DC – Today Mayor Annise Parker publicly announced her intention to retire as President & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, effective December 1, 2024. Mayor Parker has led the organizations since December 2017. The Victory Fund and Victory Institute boards of directors are leading a nationwide search for a new President & CEO and intend to engage an executive search firm to help identify and evaluate candidates.
Under Mayor Parker’s tenure, programming and personnel growth at the organizations more than doubled. Victory Fund now endorses more than twice as many LGBTQ+ candidates, provides deeper levels of campaign, fundraising and communications support, and houses programs aimed at diversifying LGBTQ+ candidates and elected officials. Victory Institute dramatically expanded its programs and trainings for LGBTQ+ candidates, public and elected leaders; built a sustained Political Appointments Program; created a research arm focused on LGBTQ+ representation; and tripled the number of countries it works in around the world.
The boards of directors plan for Mayor Parker to have a two-month overlap with the incoming President & CEO, when they are chosen, and are working with staff leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
“Mayor Parker is the steady, experienced leader we needed during a consequential time in American politics – and the dramatic growth in our endorsed candidates and Election Day victories are clear evidence of her undeniable success,” said Wade Rakes II and Lynn Greer, chairs of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute boards of directors, respectively. “At a time when democracy is under attack in the U.S. and around the world, our mission to build more inclusive and representative governments is the antidote, because democracies flourish when people see themselves as part of it. Mayor Parker’s leadership made Victory a consequential player in our elections and democracy and we look forward to her continued leadership in this critical year ahead.”
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to represent Victory Fund and Victory Institute in every corner of the United States and in countries around the globe – and to work with the candidates and elected officials who are on the frontlines fighting for the communities they represent and our collective democracy,” said Mayor Parker. “Over the past six years, Victory was instrumental in the transformational growth of LGBTQ+ representation in governments, and I am confident our deeply talented staff, board members and critical supporters will continue to grow our work and impact.”
Annise Parker was the first former elected official to lead LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. She’s previously served as mayor of Houston, Houston city comptroller and as a member of the Houston City Council. She was the first out LGBTQ+ person ever elected mayor of a major American city.
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LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain global equality through leadership development, training and convening to increase the number, expand the diversity and ensure the success of out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of LGBTQ+ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
