McCormack+Kristel Recruits Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Openhouse
December 13, 2024 – Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has assisted in the recruitment of Rob Sánchez-Nelson as director for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (DJEDI) of Openhouse in San Francisco. Bryan Epps led the assignment.
Working across departments and with the board’s JEDI committee, Rob Sánchez-Nelson will identify real-time opportunities and challenges for Openhouse to deepen its commitment, competency, and JEDI outcomes to make positive change within the organization. With primary oversight of human resources, they will develop and implement HR policies to foster a strong, positive, and professional working environment. Additionally, they will support the HR manager with hiring and retention and provide ongoing staff training that ensures staff and volunteers reflect the community and provide culturally appropriate services to the LGBTQ+ elders Openhouse serves.
Rob Sánchez-Nelson is an experienced diversity and equity officer, educator, and support specialist with a demonstrated history of working in higher education, non-profits, and performing arts. They are passionate about making radical changes from within systems to grow equitable educational and professional experiences for all. Rob Sánchez-Nelson previously served as chief diversity officer of the San Francisco Ballet. Before that, they were director of social media, religious literacy project, Harvard Divinity School.
Openhouse empowers LGBTQ+ seniors to overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing LGBTQ+ welcoming housing, high-impact direct services, and innovative community programs. Their work reduces isolation and empowers LGBTQ+ seniors to improve their overall health, well-being, and economic security. It is a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization with a budget in excess of $5,500,000 and is on the leading edge of the growing field of aging services for LGBTQ+ elders at the local, state, and national levels.
McCormack+Kristel was started in 1993 as McCormack & Associates with the mission of recruiting senior leadership for the many research, advocacy and human services organizations growing exponentially in response to AIDS pandemic. Diversity recruiting has long been on the firm’s agenda.
With the advent of effective treatments for HIV/AIDS, and the diminishing needs of many of these organizations, the firm broadened its client base into areas like social justice; healthcare; women’s issues; higher education; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender; civil rights; and more.
Five years ago, founding partner Joseph A. McCormack formed a new business partnership with Ms. Kristel, who joined the firm in 2013 as an associate. The firm has offices in New York City and Palm Springs, CA. McCormack+Kristel clients have included the ACLU, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, TransForm, Planned Parenthood, SAGE, and the Tides Foundation, among others.
Related: McCormack+Kristel Helps Recruit New Leader for Project HOME
In 2022, Mr. McCormack retired. Ms. Kristel continues to run the firm’s national practice. Ms. Kristel is the former executive director of In The Life Media (ITLM), a non-profit organization producing social change media to raise awareness of issues related to gender, HIV/AIDS, and LGBT rights.
Mr. Epps supports impact-driven institutions in their national searches for exceptional executive leaders. He is passionate about ensuring that the voices of individuals within organizations are heard. Mr. Epps has successfully completed searches for senior executive-level positions in organizations focused on social justice, philanthropy, higher education, housing, and public service. Following the tragic loss of Trayvon Martin, Mr. Epps played a pivotal role in the Movement for Black Lives as the executive director of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center.
Recent Search
McCormack+Kristel recently placed Anya Lynn-Alesker as executive director of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. “We are confident that Lynn-Alesker will lead our organization to new heights as we continue our important mission of promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity,” said Bendita Cynthia Malakia, association president.
“The National LGBTQ+ Bar conducted a robust eight-month national search in partnership with McCormack + Kristel,” said Rachel Goldberg, president of the LGBTQ+ Bar Foundation. “We were fortunate to find and hire Anya Lynn-Alesker; whose accomplishments showcase their leadership strength and vision. They have repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized people and a willingness to be in the trenches doing the hard work for the LQBTQ community. We need leaders like Anya who are dynamic and steadfast in their convictions to build a stronger bar for the future.”
Related: McCormack+Kristel Recruits CFO for the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
