GLAAD announced on Monday that Sarah
Kate Ellis had been elected as the organization's new CEO and
president.
“We are excited to welcome Sarah Kate
at a time when our community needs more of GLAAD's work in the media
to share the stories that create real change,” Steve Warren,
national co-chair of GLAAD's Board of Directors, said in an emailed
statement.
According to GLAAD, Ellis is an
award-winning media executive. “Her vision has transformed and
energized leading media outlets including Vogue, InStyle,
New York and House & Garden,” the group said.
GLAAD credited Ellis with growing Real Simple into one of Time
Inc.'s most successful magazines.
“While our community has made great
strides in recent years, our movement has an important and critical
journey ahead,” Ellis said. “Together with our dedicated staff,
I will push for a culture where everyone in the LGBT community not
only has legal equality, but is fully welcomed and respected by our
neighbors. I look forward to leading GLAAD and creating a world
where LGBT people and our families have the freedom to joyously –
and openly – live a life they love.”
Ellis will take over the reigns at
GLAAD in January. She succeeds Herndon Graddick, who stepped down in
May.
Ellis and her wife Kristen
Ellis-Henderson are raising two children.