This past Monday, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center announced the appointment of its new interim executive director, Jennifer Brown.

In the press release, the Center stated that Brown is an award-winning consultant, a bestselling author of five books and advisor to corporations, institutions and universities on “building cultures of deep belonging.”

Brown and her partner Michelle have been Kingston residents for around four years. On the local level, she worked on the founding team of the 2022 Woodstock Pride and is active in animal advocacy and community support in other areas.

The center stated that they believe Brown’s “expertise will help us deepen our local impact, strengthen our organization, and ensure a seamless transition as we plan for our long-term future.”

Brown’s focus in her new position is to support staff, form new community partnerships, donors and “queer coalition engagement,” sustain programming and commitment to community, complete ongoing strategic planning and “collaborating with the board to share results and begin implementation.”

The center invites community members to introduce themselves to Brown, who began working in her position on Monday, at Community Center events or at its upcoming Town Hall in early November, with a date to be announced.

In the center’s release, Brown stated, “The Community Center continues to play such a vital role in building an inclusive Hudson Valley. My goal is to help us grow, reach more people, and continue to strengthen its foundation for our future. I’m excited to honor the community that built this Community Center while welcoming those who will guide what comes next.”

The move comes in the wake of the August firing of center executive director Richard Heyl de Ortiz. Ortiz says the center didn’t follow their own procedures for termination; the center, including some current staffers, say Heyl de Ortiz’s behavior in the job warranted his dismissal. Heyl de Ortiz says he wants his job back – Kingston Wire will keep our eye out for future developments, including possible litigation.