By: LGBTQ San Diego County News Staff
Following the sudden departure of Fernando Z. Lopez from their role as executive director of San Diego Pride before Thanksgiving, the organization’s board of directors announced Thursday afternoon, Nov. 30, that Sarafina Scapicchio and Jen LaBarbera would assume the roles of interim co-executive directors, effective immediately.
Scapicchio most recently served as Pride’s deputy executive director and LaBarbera as director of education and advocacy. The pair will split up the leadership role under a “co-leadership model,” which board members say was proposed by the current staff leadership team.
During this interim period, Pride’s philanthropy, operations and finance, and entertainment departments will fall under Scapicchio’s leadership, and LaBarbera will oversee areas related to education and advocacy, programs, and marketing.
“This collaborative approach ensures a seamless transition, reflecting San Diego Pride’s commitment to continuity and elevating the talents within the organization,” said board of directors co-chair Noah Lomax in an email to community supporters. “[It] also underscores the organization’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and empowered leadership structure.”
It is unclear when the organization will open its formal executive director search and what leadership model will be employed in the new role. For more information, visit sdpride.org.
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