A local LGBT health and wellness center announced its new interim CEO Monday. Stephen Glassman will take on the post previously held by Nurit Shein at the Mazzoni Center.
Glassman’s tenure is expected to last between six and nine months, and he will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
“I am honored to accept this interim role with such an important organization that has led the way in direct service and advocacy for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV in the Philadelphia region,” Glassman said in a statement. “As the Mazzoni Center continues to engage in its critical work for marginalized communities my focus will be on providing a steady hand, along with effective, transparent and accountable leadership, during this time of significant transition, in order to usher the organization into its next phase.”
Glassman is the former executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut and former chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Until the organization chooses a permanent CEO, Glassman will focus on development, finances, operations, programming and other issues while reporting to the board of directors.
Mazzoni’s board, along with Advanced Corporate Research Solutions, LLC, an independent executive-placement firm, will conduct a nationwide search for the organization’s permanent CEO. A statement from Mazzoni said the search will include staff members and community input during the review and selection process.
Shein was under scrutiny for her handling of allegations of alleged sexual misconduct by the organization’s former medical director, Dr. Robert Winn. Winn resigned in April while Shein and board president Dr. Jimmy Ruiz stepped down days later after Mazzoni employees staged a walk-out demanding their resignations.
Members from the Black & Brown Workers Collective brought public attention to the allegations against Winn and Shein. BBWC member Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, a former Mazzoni employee, announced in April that they would not take their HIV medication until Shein resigned. Muhammad resumed medication after Mazzoni announced Shein’s resignation.
“In light of additional information that was brought to their attention, the board of directors felt that asking for and accepting Nurit’s resignation on Sunday, April 23, was the appropriate course of action,” Flynn told PGN in April.
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC is currently conducting a third-party investigation into the allegations against Winn. Flynn told PGN last week there have not been updates in the case.