> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • Philanthropy 50
  • Nonprofits and the Trump Agenda
  • Impact Stories Hub
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
Transitions
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print

True Colors United, a Charity Founded by Cyndi Lauper, Names Its First Transgender CEO

By  M.J. Prest
July 28, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10:  Federal lobbyist for National Center for Transgender Equality Dylan Waguespack speaks during a rally at the Reflecting Pool of the U.S. Capitol April 10, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Democratic lawmakers joined activists to rally against the transgender military service ban. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alex Wong, Getty Images
Dylan Waguespack has been promoted from chief policy officer to CEO of True Colors United, which was co-founded by the singer Cyndi Lauper.

Also, Arnold Ventures has hired a vice president of advocacy for health care, and the Cleveland Foundation has named its next senior vice president for advancement.

We're sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network.

Please allow access to our site, and then refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at 571-540-8070 or cophelp@philanthropy.com

True Colors United

Dylan Waguespack has been promoted from chief policy officer to CEO of this charity co-founded by the singer Cyndi Lauper to prevent homelessness and offer an array of other support services for LGBTQ youths.

Waguespack will be the organization’s first transgender leader.

Arnold Ventures

Rachel Weiss has joined the grant maker as vice president of advocacy for health care, based in Washington.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most recently she was director of communications for the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Cleveland Foundation

Leta Obertacz, director of advancement at the Cleveland Zoological Society, will join the $3.2 billion community foundation as senior vice president for advancement on September 6.

In addition, Ginger Mlakar has been promoted from general counsel and senior director of gift planning to general counsel and vice president for advancement.

Monique Burr Foundation for Children

ADVERTISEMENT

Tanya Ramos-Puig will be the next CEO and first Latina leader of this bullying-prevention charity created by the real-estate developer Edward Burr, the founder and CEO of GreenPointe Holdings, in honor of his late wife.

Most recently, Ramos-Puig was president of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Latin Recording Academy.

More New CEOs

Jax Chaudhry, regional director at the Literacy Lab, will now be executive director of Project Invent.

Whitney Rencountre II, associate director of the Indian University of North America at the Crazy Horse Memorial, will become CEO of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, effective September 15. He will succeed Joseph Konkol, who has served as interim CEO since January and will return to his role as chief financial officer in September.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jason Spangler, executive medical director and head of global HTA (health technology assessment) policy strategy and engagement at Amgen, will now serve as CEO of the Innovation and Value Initiative. He succeeds Jennifer Bright, who has led the nonprofit research group on the science, practice, and use of value assessment in health care since 2018.

Other Notable Appointments

Hannah Gelbs-Gadd, vice president of operations at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, has been appointed chief operating officer at the Woman’s Hospital of Texas.

Sarah Hernandez, a postdoctoral researcher and assistant project scientist focusing on Huntington’s disease at the University of California at Irvine, has been named director of research programs at the Hereditary Disease Foundation.

Lauren Marshall has been promoted from director of marketing and civic engagement to vice president of marketing and civic engagement at the Cambridge Community Foundation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ashutosh Nandeshwar, who co-authored the book Data Science for Fundraising, has been tapped as senior vice president of data science and analytics at CCS Fundraising.

Ken Shatzkes has been promoted from senior program officer to program director at the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts.

Send an email to people@philanthropy.com.

We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Executive LeadershipWork and Careers
M.J. Prest
M.J. Prest has been writing about major gifts, grant making, and executive moves for the Chronicle since 2004.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
  • Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Podcasts
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    • Impact Stories
    Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Podcasts
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    • Impact Stories
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Our Mission and Values
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Gifts and Grants Received
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
    • Pressroom
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Our Mission and Values
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Gifts and Grants Received
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
    • Pressroom
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Site License Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Site License Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2025 The Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • linkedin