The Sacramento LGBT Community Center’s Board of Directors elected new officers effective January 1, 2022 and celebrated two outgoing Board members for their years of service at the conclusion of 2021.
The Center bid farewell to two extraordinary people who have served the Board of Directors with great passion, time, and dedication over the past several years, Todd Koolakian and Ken Plumlee. Todd served on the board for 9 years, what is believed to be the longest tenure of any board member in the Center’s history. At one point he served as Board Secretary and he remains a contributing member of the Center’s Capital Campaign Cabinet. Ken served more than 4 years on the board of directors and was co-chair of the Center’s Capital Campaign Cabinet, which has been instrumental in identifying and raising funds to purchase a permanent home for the Center. Although they are both moving on from their roles as Board Members, we know they will continue to have a positive impact in the Center and our community and we are very grateful to Ken and Todd for their dedicated service to help create a Sacramento Region where LGBTQ+ people thrive.
In late December the board held elections for officers who will serve new 2-year terms. Carl Colegrove (he/him), was elected President of the Board as Natalie Fujikawa (she/hers) stepped down from the post after two years in the role. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson was elected Vice President of the Board, as Frank Mecca (he/him) stepped down from the role, which he has served for nearly 5 years. Frank will continue his role as chair of the Internal Affairs committee and both he and Natalie will remain on the board through the conclusion of their terms. Maya Wallace was elected Secretary of the Board and Jody Nelsen (she/hers) retains her position as Treasurer.
“I am very happy to be of service to the Board and our community.” Says Carl Colegrove Center Board President. “I look forward to working alongside both as we continue our efforts to create a region where our LGBTQ and Two-Spirit relatives thrive.”
“My time as a Board Member has allowed me to further see the amazing life changing work the Sacramento LGBT Community Center is doing,” Says Dr. Moon-Johnson on becoming Board Vice President. “I am honored to take on a leadership role and further serve our Trans and Queer community.”
“I have observed the Center overcome major obstacles to grow its programs and become a consistent resource for the community over the past several years, and am excited to help solidify that foundation and grow the organization as I take on a leadership role on the board.” Says Maya Wallace, newly elected Center Board Secretary, “I’m especially motivated to support the expansion of housing services and the growth of programs offered by the Marsha P. Johnson Center South.”
“I feel very fortunate to work collaboratively with an exceptionally dedicated group of board members. I am especially grateful for Natalie and Frank’s leadership on the Executive Committee since I became CEO, as well as Todd and Ken’s tenure, without whom our capital project would not have moved forward. I’m also excited about the new generation of diverse board leaders with whom I share the responsibility of leadership and setting the strategic direction of the Center.”
To review the full updated list of Board Members and their biographies, visit saccenter.org/board.