LPAC Selects Prominent Political Operative Lisa Turner as New Executive Director

Washington D.C. (December 9, 2020) –  The Board of Directors of LPAC, the national organization that builds the political strength and increases representation for LGBTQ women, has selected Lisa Turner to be its new Executive Director. Turner is an experienced political strategist who is a former Obama Administration appointee and a campaign consultant to numerous federal and state candidates having worked on the national political scene for many years. In addition, the Board elected Laura Ricketts of Chicago as incoming Chair of the Board of Directors.

Diane Felicio, LPAC current Board Chair said, “We are thrilled that Lisa will take the helm of LPAC and bring our agenda to a record number of LGBTQ officeholders in the next election cycle. A proven talent, Lisa served as our political director for the last three years and knows first hand the tremendous opportunity for our committee’s continued growth and impact. We are also delighted that Laura will return to her role as Board Chair. Her longtime leadership and support of this organization has been critical to its success.”

Lisa takes the reins from Stephanie Sandberg, LPAC’s ED since 2018. Under Stephanie’s leadership LPAC has increased its support for LGBTQ women candidates, endorsing 123 women candidates and contributing directly to 68 campaigns, including a record number of LGBTQ women of color running for political office. LPAC raised almost $2 million in the last election cycle. And in addition to marshalling a record amount of support for LGBTQ women, LPAC in 2019 created the first-ever research project identifying strategies for increasing LGBTQ enthusiasm and turnout in elections to provide guidance to candidates seeking to engage this crucial but hard to reach voting bloc.

“We are so grateful for Stephanie’s leadership over the past three years,” said Felicio. “She has taken the organization to a new level of success and respect and she leaves with a strong foundation in place.”

Sandberg said, “It’s been an honor to do this work for the last several years and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together. This past cycle in particular has been a game-changer for LPAC. We focused on our strengths—electing LGBTQ women—and created fundraising and engagement through an IE, Project LPAC and the LPAC Action Network, rallying the community around our success. I told the Board I would leave at the end of the 2020 cycle and it is gratifying to know that I leave the organization in Lisa’s capable hands.”

“I am excited to take the reins of LPAC and I am grateful to the Board for the opportunity to lead the organization into the future,“ said Lisa Turner. “Going forward into 2021 LPAC is well-positioned to work with activists, supporters and candidates across the country to increase the political power of our community. We intend for LPAC to continue to be a reliable and consistent partner to like-minded organizations, even as we expand opportunities for LGBTQ women of color and motivate our broader community of LGBTQ women to engage in the political process.”

“LPAC reached new heights during this last election cycle,” said Laura Ricketts, incoming Board Chair. “I am extremely excited by the conversations I have had with women across the country who first engaged in 2020 and are looking for a more permanent home for their activism. I welcome all LGBTQ women to join us in expanding this powerful politically active community.”