The vice president of the board for GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization will take over as interim executive director, the organization announced Feb. 29. Miguel Andrade begins immediately, having temporarily stepped down from the board to lead the organization.
Andrade replaces Elicia Gonzales, whom GALAEI announced was leaving Feb. 26. A permanent executive director will be hired soon. The interview process will be conducted within the next three months, the organization said. Those interested can email [email protected].
GALAEI said Gonzales was leaving to pursue other career opportunities. Gonzales did not respond to requests for comment.
Rafael Alvarez, president of the board, said the board and Gonzales came to the decision together to seek new leadership.
“Basically, it was a mutual decision on behalf of both parties,” Alvarez said. “Both parties are going to be OK, and Elicia is going to continue to do great work no matter where she goes.”
Gonzales helmed GALAEI for six years. She previously worked at The Attic Youth Center and Mazzoni Center.
Community members expressed gratitude for Gonzales’ leadership on social media. Alvarez said Gonzales was dedicated in helping GALAEI carry out a strategic planning process and re-branding campaign and overseeing the move to North Philadelphia.
Alvarez said GALAEI has been making moves to become more connected to Philadelphia Latinas and Latinos.
“We’re an LGBT organization, but also we’re very unapologetically Latino,” he said, adding, “We feel new leadership will lead us in that area.”
“The biggest change is our engagement with our community,” Alvarez said. “We really want to look at their sexual health not just as personal empowerment, but political empowerment.”
Over the last year, GALAEI and Juntos, a Latino human-rights organization in South Philadelphia, have developed a partnership to promote fair treatment of undocumented immigrants. The two groups have participated in several protests together to shut down the Berks County Residential Center, an immigrant detention center in Bern Township.
Andrade said he’s honored to serve GALAEI as it undergoes a leadership transition.
“I am stepping into some big shoes,” Andrade said. “I’m very passionate and incredibly proud of the work GALAEI has done. The main thing is to uphold the mission and make sure all the programs and services continue to happen. I want to make sure the community’s needs and voices are at the forefront.”
Andrade said he expects his interim leadership to last a few months. He does not plan to apply to be considered as the permanent executive director.
Andrade has been involved with GALAEI for several years and became a board member in May. He also works with Juntos and co-founded a Latin@-immigrant youth leadership program that trained staff in the mayor’s office and School District of Philadelphia on how to support the Latin@ immigrant population.
Alvarez said Andrade will resume his role as vice president of GALAEI’s board once a permanent director is hired.
“The board does not want to lose Miguel,” Alvarez said. “Miguel is very integral. He’s excessively thoughtful. He likes to weigh things out and he’s willing to play devil’s advocate to get to the best decision.”