McCormack + Kristel Recruits CEO for Resource Center
October 14, 2026 – McCormack + Kristel recently placed Christopher Wagley as CEO of He will join Resource Center in November 2026 following an extensive national search prompted by the planned retirement of long-standing CEO Cece Cox in early 2027. “The board is thrilled to welcome Christopher Wagley as the next CEO of Resource Center,” said Chris LaGrone, board chair of Resource Center. “Christopher is an exceptional leader whose vision, operational strength, community credibility, and deep commitment to LGBTQIA+ advocacy make him uniquely prepared to lead Resource Center into its next chapter.”
“His career has been defined by building strong institutions, expanding impact, and leading with both discipline and heart,” Mr. LaGrone said. “Christopher knows Resource Center, he knows North Texas, and he understands the vital role this organization plays in the lives of LGBTQIA+ people and all those we serve. As we celebrate Cece’s extraordinary legacy, we could not be more excited for Christopher to carry that foundation forward and shape Resource Center’s next era of growth, service, advocacy, and community impact.”
Mr. Wagley brings more than 20 years of non-profit management and leadership experience to the role, with a 30-year career spanning education, media, and community advocacy. He currently serves as chief operating officer of KERA, a non-profit public media organization serving North Texas, where he has held senior leadership roles for 16 years. Before that, Mr. Wagley spent six years at MTV Networks, joining the pioneering team that launched LOGO, the first LGBTQIA+ cable channel in the country.
Mr. Wagley steps into the role as Resource Center looks to build on a period of significant growth, deepen its health and housing services, and strengthen its advocacy presence in a state that continues to challenge the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ people. He will work closely with Mr. Cox during a planned transition period, a deliberate passing of the torch by a CEO who has spent two decades building one of the most consequential LGBTQIA+ organizations in the country.
“Resource Center has an incredibly bright future as Christopher Wagley steps into the role of CEO,” Mr. Cox said. “Christopher has the heart, vision, passion, experience and connection to our mission and community, to build upon Resource Center’s 43 years of service. The challenges of these days call for a leader who is both resolute and collaborative. Christopher is that leader. I am grateful to the board of directors for their diligence and thoughtfulness in selecting a stellar individual who will ensure the future success of this beloved organization. I have confidence that Christopher will meet the moments – all of them.”
Related: McCormack + Kristel Seeking Executive Director for NEXT Harm Reduction
“Resource Center is one of the most beloved organizations in our community, and that is not an accident,” said Mr. Wagley. “It reflects decades of courageous, compassionate leadership, and I am deeply grateful to Cece Cox for the extraordinary foundation she has built. I am humbled and energized by the trust the board has placed in me to build on that legacy. For more than 40 years, this organization has made people feel seen, supported, and cared for. My commitment is to ensure we have the reach and resilience to do that for more people, in more places, for generations to come.”
Serving the LGBTQIA+ Community
Founded in Dallas in 1983, Resource Center (originally named the Foundation for Human Understanding) is the nation’s second largest center providing a wide range of programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and more (LGBTQIA+) community members and critical assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS and for their families. More than 60,000 people each year benefit from services including medical, dental, nutritional, legal, mental health, housing and financial support through multiple clinics and facilities throughout the Dallas area.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
McCormack + Kristel is a national retained executive search firm specializing in leadership solutions for non-profit and philanthropic organizations. Since 1993, mission-driven organizations have relied on the firm to identify transformational talent and guide consequential leadership decisions with discipline, sector expertise, and sound judgment. The firm’s practice is focused exclusively on the social impact sector, and has been included on Hunt Scanlon‘s lists of Top Nonprofit and Top Diversity search firms.
McCormack + Kristel’s principal, Michelle Kristel, brings more than 25 years of experience placing chief executives and senior leaders in mission-driven organizations nationwide. Before moving into executive search, she served as the executive director of a national non-profit, giving her an insider’s awareness of the demands facing organizational leaders and what it actually takes to lead effectively in the sector. And as a current and longtime board leader, she brings an active governance perspective to every engagement, understanding firsthand what search committees need from a search partner.
Related: McCormack + Kristel Recruits CEO for Equality Illinois
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
