McCormack+Kristel Seeking President for Resource Center

December 11, 2025 – Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been selected by Resource Center to lead in its search for a president. The newly created president position has been developed at a critical period in Resource Center’s evolution. Following exponential revenue and staff growth, as well as unprecedented programmatic expansion, the Center is strategically enhancing its leadership team to prepare for the future. The addition of this key executive role will allow the CEO to focus on and transition external relationships essential to sustaining recent growth.

Resource Center is seeking a sophisticated, mission-driven leader to drive the continued transformative impact of an empowering and life-saving center. This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader to play a pivotal role in the evolution of the largest multi-service LGBTQIA+ organization in Texas.

The Center’s new president will be a seasoned executive with experience leading complex and multi-faceted organizations, according to the job specification. They will be an adept fundraiser and skilled relationship builder. The selected candidate will value the transition period and leverage it to develop a nuanced understanding of the Center’s programs and operations. The ideal candidate will have executive leadership experience in a mission-driven organization with diverse services and complex funding streams as well as proven success in individual major donor, corporate, and institutional fundraising on a similar revenue scale.

Those applying must have a track record of success in leading cross-functional teams comprised of diverse, talented, and dedicated staff. They should an understanding of community healthcare programs that provide services to marginalized and underserved communities. Experience with LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS affected populations is ideal. To see the full set of requirement for this role click here.

Founded in 1983 as an advocate and frontline service provider to LGBTQIA+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS, Resource Center is a cornerstone of support for North Texas’s LGBTQIA+ communities. Today, it stands as one of the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ community centers, with nearly 100 staff members and 1,200 volunteers serving over 60,000 people annually.

Mission-Driven Search Firm

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 the 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.

Related: McCormack+Kristel Seeking CEO for the Independent Film & Television Alliance

Five years ago, founding partner Joseph A. McCormack formed a new business partnership with Michelle 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.

In 2022, Mr. McCormack retired. Ms. Kristel continues to run the firm’s national practice. She 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.

Equality Illinois Search

McCormack+Kristel recently placed Channyn Lynne Parker as the new CEO of Equality Illinois. Her selection follows a thorough and competitive process led by McCormack + Kristel. All candidates were evaluated equitably through the same fair and transparent process, and Ms. Parker emerged as the clear choice based on her experience, leadership, deep ties to Illinois’ most impacted communities, and vision for the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy in Illinois.

Ms. Parker is the first Black transgender woman to lead Equality Illinois in its 34-year history. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois and across the country. As a transformational leader with an unwavering commitment to equity and justice, she is uniquely prepared to guide the organization forward and expand its reach, impact, and visibility in the years to come. Ms. Parker will begin her role as full time CEO on November 17, 2025.

“Channyn is a visionary leader whose career has been dedicated to building power and advancing LGBTQ+ people and communities in our state,” said Equality Illinois board chair Justin DeJong and Equality Illinois Institute board chair Kelly Emery. “Her depth of experience, her authentic connection to the work, and her ability to lead through our current political environment made her the clear choice to guide Equality Illinois into its next chapter.”

Related: McCormack+Kristel Helps Recruit New Leader for Project HOME 

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media