Goodbye to Lorri Jean The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Director Resigns Compiled by Badpuppy's GayToday From L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Reports The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's longest-tenured executive director, Lorri L. Jean has announced her resignation after nearly six years of remarkable leadership. During her tenure the organization's growth included an increase in the number of client visits from 4,000 to 15,000 per month, more than tripling its budget to $27 million and adding three new facilities, the Jeff Griffith Gay & Lesbian Youth Center, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza and Lambda Medical Group. Lorri L. Jean In the months following her resignation, which is not effective until January 31, 1999, Jean will take a well-deserved break and spend time with her family before pursuing other opportunities. The Board of Directors, under the leadership of Co-Chairs LuAnn Boylan and Eric Shore, have already begun work on a national search to replace Jean as head of the world's largest lesbian and gay organization. "We as a board, as well as the entire gay and lesbian community in Los Angeles, have been incredibly fortunate to have had Lorri's leadership these last six years," said Boylan. "Her unique talents and experience in organizational management and as a civil rights leader, partnered with an unmatched passion and commitment to support those in need and to fight for equality, have turned the Gay & Lesbian Center into a bastion of strength and accomplishment in the lesbian and gay community." "Her legacy will live long past her unprecedented six-year term," said Shore. "Not only did Lorri add three amazing new facilities and serve more people than at any other time in the organization's 27 year history, she oversaw the creation of a multi-million dollar endowment fund to provide continuing community support and minimize the Gay & Lesbian Center's dependence on government grants. She accomplished all of this while also significantly diversifying the staff and the clients the Gay & Lesbian Center serves. She's a remarkable leader who will be deeply missed." Jean's accomplishments have been lauded not only by the L.A. community, but by her national colleagues. In a 1997 national survey of the executive directors of 150 gay/lesbian/AIDS service organizations, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center was named the most well-managed gay/lesbian service organization in the country. Jean has also been honored by the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Valley Business Alliance, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, among others. Among the highlights of Jean's tenure as Executive Director of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center are: Tripling the organization's budget to $27 million -- roughly equal to that of the next four largest national gay and lesbian organizations combined. Tripling the number of client visits to 15,000 per month, while decreasing the cost of each visit. Doubling to 3,000 the number of volunteers who collectively provide $100,000 in professional services monthly. Diversifying the fundraising program, increasing the private dollars raised annually from $1 million to more than $9 million, for a 5-year total of over $35 million. Opening the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and expanding medical services to provide expert care for people at all stages of HIV and AIDS. Developing the California AIDS Ride, the world's largest AIDS fundraiser, to improve and expand medical care to patients of the Gay & Lesbian Center's Goodman Clinic. Creating a Policy and Public Affairs Department that has taken a leading role nationally in advocating for lesbian and gay civil rights Joining 12 of her colleagues for an historic 1996 White House meeting with President Clinton. Opening the Audre Lorde Lesbian Health Care Clinic, the first clinic in Los Angeles providing free or low-cost medical services specifically targeted to the lesbian community. Opening the Pedro Zamora Youth HIV Clinic, the first HIV clinic for gay and lesbian youth in Los Angeles. Opening the Jeff Griffith Gay & Lesbian Youth Center to expand support to homeless youth by offering hot meals, counseling and support services to get off the streets. Opening The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, a spectacular $7 million educational, cultural and social center for the lesbian and gay community. Opening Lambda Medical Group to provide expert, gay- and lesbian-sensitive medical care to the entire community. Leading the $15 million capital/endowment campaign to create The Village and a multi-million dollar permanent endowment fund. "I have had the privilege of serving our community during a time of extraordinary progress," said Jean. "With the vision of a remarkable Board of Directors, the support of an incredibly generous corps of donors, and the leadership of a management team of unprecedented professionalism and skill, we have been able to make an important difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people. "These six years have been a true labor of love for me, and I'll admit that it's hard for me to imagine not being at the Gay & Lesbian Center's helm. But I know there's no better time for me to move on. While I will sorely miss being the Executive Director, I am leaving with a great sense of accomplishment and pride, especially about the Gay & Lesbian Center's stability. The organization has never been stronger nor had a senior management team of such impressive depth. That is the legacy of which I'm the proudest."

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