EV News: Executive Director Announces Year-End Departure

(Richmond, July 17) Dyana Mason, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, announced today that she will be leaving the organization at the end of this year.

“I find after more than five years, that it is my time to move on,” she said. “When I was hired by Equality Virginia in early 2003, I came to a small, under-funded organization to see what was possible.  With a shared commitment of the EV Board and a growing staff, we have collectively grown EV to being the most respected and effective GLBT advocacy organization in the state.  I believe EV will continue to grow and effectively represent GLBT Virginians.”

Commenting on Ms. Mason’s decision, Mark Board, the chair of the Board of Equality Virginia said, “Over the last five years as our Executive Director, Dyana has made a significant and substantial contribution towards improving the quality of life for all Virginians, and, particularly, Virginia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents and their families. Our community and the Commonwealth of Virginia have both been served ably and effectively by Dyana, and we applaud her many accomplishments and thank her for five years of outstanding service.”

“The Board of Directors of Equality Virginia will launch a nationwide search for a new leader of our organization early this fall,” said Board. “The Board will be challenged in this search to identify someone who can meet the very high standards for accomplishment, integrity and commitment Dyana Mason has set.”

Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan advocacy, education and support network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight allied (GLBT) communities in Virginia.  This year will be the 20^th anniversary of the founding of Equality Virginia as Virginians for Justice.