GSA Network Head Quits After Sabbatical

The executive director of the San Francisco-based Gay-Straight Alliance Network is leaving, 16 years after she founded the organization.

Carolyn Laub, 39, who's been on paid sabbatical since June, shared what she called "a bittersweet decision" in a statement this week. She said she would leave the nonprofit, which helps LGBTQ students and their allies organize GSA clubs focused on creating safer schools, at the end of August.

Laub stated the break had given her a chance "to reflect" on her time with the nonprofit, which has a budget of $2.5 million, "as well as contemplate my future professional trajectory."

She added, "The time is right" for her departure, "making space for new leadership in the organization, and allowing me to take on new challenges in my professional life."

Ben Wong will serve as interim executive director. In a statement provided by GSA Network spokeswoman Jill Marcellus, Wong said, "GSA Network is in an exciting period of transition, and we are focusing in on how best to serve our critical mission of empowering LGBTQ and ally youth. ... We believe young people in GSAs will lead the fight for racial, economic, and educational justice for LGBTQ youth."

Neither Laub nor Marcellus would say exactly why Laub is departing. Laub said her statement answered all of the Bay Area Reporter 's questions on why she's leaving.

In response to emailed questions, Marcellus said the organization "is now a national youth empowerment organization with different challenges and opportunities," and that Laub had "decided that both she and the organization were ready for the next phase."

She also said, "Obviously, there are personnel matters that wouldn't be discussed in any context, so I've answered as fully as I'm able."

Laub, who identifies as queer and lives in San Francisco, said in an email exchange, "I haven't announced what I'll be doing next," but her family plans to stay in the Bay Area.

In her statement, Laub said she's been honored to have "the opportunity to help create and bear witness to the transformation of the lives of thousands of LGBTQ and straight ally young people in the GSA movement." She said the organization has grown from 40 clubs in California to a network that includes more than 900.

Among other achievements, Laub touted the nonprofit's work supporting the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act, which gay state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) authored. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law in 2011.

The law requires that schools teach about the historical contributions of LGBTs, such as Harvey Milk, the former San Francisco supervisor who became one of the country's first openly gay elected officials before he was assassinated in 1978.

Leno praised Laub's leadership.

"Carolyn is a major unsung hero," Leno said in a statement. "Under her dedicated leadership, the GSA Network has been instrumental in advocating for significant changes to state law that have positively impacted LGBT youth across California. Most notably, Carolyn's work was critical in helping our office pass landmark legislation known as the FAIR Education Act that requires school instructional materials to include the contributions of LGBT people."

Board Chair Andrew Uehling said in a statement, "Carolyn Laub's vision and strategic leadership has created a powerful national LGBT youth empowerment organization that changes lives, laws, and the very idea of what's possible for queer youth in schools. GSA Network's board, staff, and youth leaders ... are proud to carry forward GSA Network's essential mission of developing LGBTQ and ally youth leaders ready to challenge all forms of oppression."

Ruhi Bhalla, 18, a youth board member with GSA Network, said in a brief interview that Laub is "an amazing leader" and the nonprofit "is an amazing organization that has definitely transformed my life and has empowered me to create change in my school."

Bhalla, who identifies as queer, recently graduated from high school in Santa Monica, California.

The nonprofit's board appointed Wong as interim director when Laub started her sabbatical. She said she's working with Wong and the board this month "to ensure a smooth transition."

The board's "starting the process of engaging search firms," Marcellus said, and Wong will keep the interim post as the board searches for Laub's replacement.

"The board is looking at a spring 2015 timeline for hiring a new executive director, wanting to take full advantage of the time to re-engage stakeholders, reflect, and plan our future," she said. There's no intention of making Wong the permanent director, she said.

The organization has a staff of 18, including new hires for program directors and other positions.

In response to an email requesting his age, compensation, and sexual orientation, Wong said, "Your questions are not particularly pertinent to the effectiveness of running and serving the organization. However, what is important in terms of my role at GSA Network is my years of nonprofit management experience, commitment to social justice, and deep experience in community organizing and youth development."

Neither Laub nor Marcellus would disclose Laub's current compensation.

"We don't disclose salary information," Marcellus said.

GSA Network's tax filing for fiscal year 2012-13 lists Laub's reportable compensation from the organization as $109,207.

Marcellus said, "[W]e feel great about where we are as an organization and tremendously excited for this next phase of our work."

For more information, visit www.gsanetwork.org