(San Francisco, CA, November 3, 2011)—National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Deputy Director Kris Hermanns will be leaving the organization after six years to become the executive director of a foundation that funds LGBTQ nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest.

Hermanns, who leads NCLR’s development department as well as the organization’s day-to-day operations, will join the Pride Foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, in January 2012, replacing outgoing Executive Director Audrey Haberman.

“When Kris first started as our development director, she told me she could make a two year commitment,” said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. “The fact that we have benefited from her leadership, skills, and commitment for six years has to leave me feeling more lucky than disappointed. Kris has been an incredible and invaluable asset to NCLR, and NCLR is a better organization because of her. Clearly, we know why the Pride Foundation wants her—she’s truly one of the best. And while we’re sad to see her go, we’re happy that her visionary leadership will continue to inspire and guide the LGBTQ community.”

Said Hermanns: “The past six years with NCLR have been beyond what I ever could have imagined or hoped for. Getting to be a part of the NCLR family provided me with the unique opportunity to witness unbelievable positive change for our community and to work alongside people who I admire, respect, and who are leaving an indelible mark. To have been able to work with them and to be a part of making that change happen is something for which I’ll always be grateful and indebted. I will always carry that with me. I very much look forward to continuing to work with NCLR to bring full equality to our communities and families of the Pacific Northwest.”

As executive director of the Pride Foundation, Kris will be responsible for the overall operation and direction of the organization, which was founded in 1985 by four people who believed that the LGBTQ community needed its own philanthropic organization in the Pacific Northwest. The organization has since put more than $8 million to work building equality for the LGBTQ community throughout the region that consists of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Before joining NCLR, Kris served as director of special funds and was a program officer with The Rhode Island Foundation. There she created Equity Action, a field-of-interest fund for LGBTQ concerns, and developed the grantmaking program for the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

Prior to the Rhode Island Foundation, she worked for Brown University’s Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service, which builds links between the university and local nonprofits by developing partnerships that address community-identified needs. In addition to her professional work, Kris has served on the board of directors of Funders for LGBTQ Issues.