Introducing a New Co-Executive Director Model at Side by Side

Earlier this year, Side by Side made the decision to shift to a shared leadership structure featuring two Co-Executive Directors. Inspiration for the Co-ED model is referenced in this article from Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ), a nonprofit magazine publication providing research-based articles and resources to educate the nonprofit sector. The publication focuses on management, fundraising practices, philanthropy, and governance/board management.

We’re excited to welcome Jamie Nolan (she/her) as the Co-Executive Director Operations & Development (COD) this month. The COD will focus on strategic planning, organizational development and fiscal management.

Another Co-Executive Director Programs & Staff (CPS, hire forthcoming) will focus on youth programs and supporting staff development. 

The Co-Executive Director model allows Side by Side the benefit of leadership with complementing professional experience, diverse gender, racial and cultural backgrounds from capable leaders with varied lived-experiences. It also gives each leader the ability to focus on their core strengths, capacities and expertise, while working collaboratively and supporting one another in service to LGBTQ+ youth and our commitment to equity. 

Ultimately, this model increases the capacity to give more and much needed attention to the youth we serve and is supportive of the staff who work tirelessly to create supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong and flourish.  

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support Side By Side, and we are excited for things to come.