Kevin Chase Executive Search Group Finds New Leader for Pacific Pride Foundation

September 16, 2020 – Following a four-month search,  Los Angeles-based Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has placed Kristin Flickinger as the new executive director of Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF). Managing partner Kevin Chase led the assignment along with senior associate Catie DiFelice.

“PPF is the largest LGBTQ+ center between LA and San Francisco,” said Lynn Cunningham Brown, chair of the organization’s board of directors. “Kristin is going to be a key part in achieving our strategic plan to take the organization to the next level of growth, to make us the recognized leader for issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ population and to broaden our programming to meet the challenging and diverse needs of our community.”

Ms. Flickinger brings to PPF two decades of work in the LGBTQ+ movement, including seven years with the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She served for three years as director of programs at the center, where, in addition to overseeing youth and senior services, she led efforts to coordinate services for both lesbian and bi women, as well as trans and non-binary people.

Ms. Flickinger also developed and implemented the new, innovative intergenerational culinary arts training program at the flagship Anita May Rosenstein property. Prior to serving as director of programs, she spent four years as the Southern California director of AIDS/LifeCycle, where she led a $25 million fundraising effort over that time.

In her new role, Ms. Flickinger will assume day-to-day operating and oversight responsibility for Pacific Pride Foundation, including organizational leadership, resource development, community building and outreach, financial management, staff management, program management and board relations. In partnership with the board of directors, she will oversee fundraising, development and refinement of service and advocacy programs, budgeting and financial planning, contract and grant compliance, and staffing/recruitment.

Initially established as a behavioral health counselling and referral center for gay men and lesbians, Pacific Pride currently provides a range of LGBTQ+ health, prevention, and social service programs to more than 10,000 people each year. Through advocacy, outreach, education, and community events, Pacific Pride strives to advance LGBTQ+ social justice and to create a climate where all LGBTQ+ people feel safe and supported.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Pacific Pride Foundation at this critical time in our movement,” said Ms. Flickinger. “And look forward to advancing the organization’s commitment to be a resource where all members of the LGBTQ+ communities of the Central Coast can come for culturally relevant services.”

Veteran Recruiters  

Kevin Chase Executive Search Group is a national consulting and executive search firm serving mission-based, non-profit organizations in the human services, social justice, healthcare philanthropy, education, and arts and culture sectors. The firm partners with boards, search committees, senior leadership teams and stakeholder groups on critical leadership transitions.


Kevin Chase Executive Search Finds New Leader for Equality Texas
Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has placed Ricardo Martinez as the new CEO of Equality Texas. He is a gay, bilingual, Mexican-American and a recognized LGBTQ leader by the Obama administration. Managing partner Kevin Chase led the assignment along with senior associate Catie DiFelice.

“We are pleased to announce Ricardo Martinez as Equality Texas’s new CEO,” said Elizabeth Myers, chair of the Equality Texas Foundation board. “Ricardo is a visionary leader who is the true embodiment of the American dream. He immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. at the age of six.”


In a career of more than two decades, Mr. Chase has led dozens of executive search and leadership transition engagements for non-profit organizations as well as companies in the finance, technology and professional services sectors. Most of his engagements are for executive director/ CEO, senior development and board positions, though he has also conducted searches for C-level leaders of finance, operations and programs. He has particular expertise in working with small to mid-sized, mission-driven non-profits, providing consultation and advisory services to the boards and leadership volunteers responsible for governance and organizational development.

Bringing more than five years of retained executive search experience, Ms. DiFelice’s primary focus is non-profit and higher education assignments. She has also worked in the technology, healthcare and consumer markets. Although she has helped recruit C-suite and other senior executives in many markets and sectors, she said she feels most connected to her work on behalf of mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations. Her broad non-profit search experience cuts across the healthcare, civil rights and social justice, education and arts and culture sectors.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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