LPAC ANNOUNCES FORMER BOARD VICE CHAIR AND FORMER FLORIDA STATE SENATE CANDIDATE JANELLE PEREZ TO SERVE AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALONGSIDE NEW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Washington, DC — Today LPAC, the national political organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ women and nonbinary people to public office, announced Janelle Perez as the organization’s Interim Executive Director. Perez was previously the Democratic nominee for a Miami-area seat in the Florida State Senate in 2022; after being endorsed by LPAC in that race, she joined the LPAC Board of Directors and was elected as Board Vice Chair in 2023. In addition, LPAC is welcoming Karol Molinares as Communications Director.

Shari Weiner, Chair of the LPAC Board of Directors, released the following statement:

“We’re thrilled that Janelle has stepped into this role in such a critical political year for the LGBTQ community. Her experience as an LPAC-endorsed candidate gives her unique insight into LPAC’s candidate support and opportunities to expand the impact of our work. I am also excited to welcome Karol Molinares as our Communications Director. Karol's impressive track record, spanning over a decade in Florida's political arena, showcases her unparalleled commitment to effective communication and strategic advocacy. The entire Board of Directors cannot wait to see the strategic innovation Janelle and Karol will bring to the organization as we work together to carry out LPAC’s mission of increasing the political power of LGBTQ women and nonbinary folks across the country in 2024.”

Janelle Perez shared the following statement:

“LPAC was the first endorsement I received in 2022 when I ran for the Florida State Senate, and their commitment to my candidacy never wavered. I was proud to join the LPAC Board of Directors in 2023 and honored when my fellow Board Members elected me Vice Chair later that year. I am now delighted to have the opportunity to serve LPAC in a new capacity as Interim Executive Director, in what is certain to be a vital election year for our entire community. Living in Florida with my wife and children, I have witnessed firsthand how a lack of representation can result in some of the most radical anti-LGBTQ and anti-women policies in the country. Now more than ever, LPAC must play an essential role in ensuring that our LGBTQ community has a seat at the table where these decisions are made. I look forward to leading Team LPAC to elect a history-making cohort of LGBTQ women and nonbinary people up and down the ballot this year.”

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About Janelle Perez:

The daughter of Cuban exiles who fled Castro’s communist dictatorship and became successful entrepreneurs, Janelle Perez is an advocate, policymaker, and small business owner. After graduating from Florida International University, Janelle moved to Washington, D.C. and began her career on Capitol Hill. While seeking her Master’s Degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Janelle worked for a non-profit where she led the educational and advocacy activities to support federal funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. 

At the age of 28, Janelle was diagnosed with Stage IV Follicular Lymphoma, an aggressive cancer. After her diagnosis, Janelle moved to Miami in order to prioritize her health and start a family with her wife, Monica. Today, she is one of the owners of a Hispanic-owned and family- owned Medicare company in Miami-Dade County. It is one of Florida’s fastest growing Medicare companies, providing affordable, high-quality medical services to Medicare beneficiaries in the county.  

Janelle was the Democratic nominee in the election for Florida State Senate District 38 in 2022 and was endorsed by LPAC in that election. A graduate of Florida International University and The Johns Hopkins University, Janelle currently lives in Miami, FL with her wife and two daughters.

About Karol Molinares:

As a native Venezuelan who grew up in South Florida, Karol is a seasoned political and communications professional, bringing a wealth of experience to the LPAC team. A proud graduate of Florida State University with a Master's degree, Karol has dedicated over 10 years to political communications in the dynamic landscape of Florida. 

Her expertise extends across the Florida legislature, and statewide campaigns, and notably, she played a pivotal role in the historic administration for Florida's first Democratic female Commissioner of Agriculture. Karol most recently served as the Communications Director for U.S. House of Representatives Congresswoman, Frederica Wilson (FL-24). 

Utilizing her breadth of experience and passion for electing progressive candidates, she will work to further LPAC's mission with her strategic insights and communications skills to contribute to the organization's continued success.

About LPAC:

LPAC is dedicated to building diverse political representation by increasing the number of LGBTQ women and nonbinary people in elected office. LPAC endorses and invests in LGBTQ women up and down the ballot who will champion women's rights, LGBTQ equality, and social justice. teamlpac.com