William Way LGBT Community Center Appoints New Leader

🎇 Congratulations to Darius McLean, Ed.D. on his new role - I am both excited for him and optimistic for the nonprofit. 

===> Thoughtful executive transitions are essential to a nonprofit's long-term health, especially when a longstanding visionary (Chris Bartlett) completes 15 years of his leadership term. 

🧱 In July 2024, the organization intentionally expanded the responsibilities of Dr. Darius McLean while Chris continued to mentor Darius.

🌎 Over the past two years, the Board has had the opportunity to witness Darius’s leadership, vision, and growth firsthand.

*** The process: In October through December 2025, we conducted 29 interviews of staff, key constituents, community leaders, executive search professionals, funders, and past board leaders who provided invaluable feedback and research findings to enable the board to more effectively update the job description of executive director.

Thanks to the leadership of board members Cory Lefkowitz, Alix Casler, MD, FAAP, and Richard Perry, M.Ed. along with my RPMCG team members Donna Saul Millen, Kimberly Allen, Tracy Katz, MEd, and Zena Lum, the project and processes were created and implemented by Board Co-chairs Laura Ryan, MPH and David F. Huting, CFA.

🥅 The goal was to have in place an updated and refreshed role for the organization to more readily meet the moment, to take advantage of the available and possible opportunities, and to address the present and not-too-distant hurdles ahead of the nonprofit. 

Next: Darius McLean felt in December 2025 that the new updated role was attractive and on 12.15.2025 the board voted unanimously for McLean to take the helm as of January 1, 2026, after six years in other senior roles at the Center.

🗺️ Roadmap: While there is still much work to do, a new process is now in place for scheduled periodic evaluations that strengthens not only the Center's governance, but also the ability of executive leadership to manage with the support of the board of directors. 

Congratulations, Darius, and to the Board of Directors: May your 2026 be even brighter, building on previous years of success.