The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute on Thursday announced that Aisha C. Moodie-Mills will be the group’s next President and CEO.
Moodie-Mills comes to Victory from the Center for American Progress, where she served as a senior fellow and director of the FIRE Initiative that explores the intersections of race, class, and sexuality. She has worked as a political advisor, private-sector liaison, and fundraiser to more than 50 members of Congress, including six senators and the Congressional Black Caucus. Before joining American Progress, she was the president of Synergy Strategy Group, a boutique fundraising and political consulting firm where she raised millions of dollars for candidates and advocacy organizations.
Moodie-Mills also made headlines as a key strategist and spokesperson for the campaign to bring marriage equality to the District of Columbia, where she and her wife Danielle were among the first same-sex couples to receive a marriage license.
Her work and publications have been featured in a variety of media outlets, including The Atlantic, Black Enterprise, The Washington Post, Essence, Politico, Ebony, The Huffington Post, and Uptown Magazine, and she also appears regularly as a political commentator on MSNBC.
“We believe that Aisha is exactly the person Victory needs to usher in an innovative and holistic approach to creating a pipeline for exceptional LGBT leadership and public officials,” said Kim Hoover, chair of the Victory Fund board. “To us, Aisha represents the future of the LGBT movement. We are at a pivotal moment and in order to continue our momentum we need the insight and energy that Aisha brings to the job.”
Mike Holloman, chair of the Victory Institute board, concurred, adding, “Her ideas for building a strong and visible network of LGBT leaders in public life aligns perfectly with Victory’s mission, but her vision to greatly amplify the impact of those leaders is what really captured the board’s attention.”
“Aisha’s enthusiasm for the vast potential of the LGBT movement is infectious,” said Michael Grover, who chairs the new One Victory board. “She understands how important LGBT leaders will be in expanding equality to every corner of our country. We are thrilled she will lead Victory into its next chapter.”
Reaction from Political and Advocacy Leaders
“The Center for American Progress is proud that one of our own has been chosen to lead Victory. Aisha Moodie-Mills has been an integral part of our intersectional work on the LGBT Research and Communications team as a Senior Fellow and Director of the FIRE Initiative. To ensure that all LGBT Americans have a seat at the table we need to diversify our pipeline of leadership and Aisha is just the person to usher in this new chapter for Victory and the movement.”
–Neera Tanden, President of the Center for American Progress, Counselor to Center for American Progress Action Fund
“As the first woman ever to serve as its President and CEO, Aisha Moodie-Mills is the right person at the right time to lead the Victory Fund’s efforts electing LGBT leaders to public office. In 2012, the Victory Fund partnered with EMILY’s List to help Tammy Baldwin make history. As we look forward to 2016 and beyond, we’re proud to continue standing with Aisha and the Victory Fund as we work together to elect more pro-choice, Democratic women like Senator Baldwin.”
–Stephanie Schriock, President, EMILY’s List
“As we head into the 2016 cycle and beyond, the Victory Fund has a critical role to play in ensuring that the number of LGBT elected officials not only grows, but is also increasingly reflective of the entire community. There is no better or more creative champion of that cause than Aisha Moodie-Mills, and HRC is eager to work with her and the Victory Fund as we tackle big new challenges in the post-marriage world. Aisha’s spot-on political experience and obvious passion make her a great choice to lead the Victory Fund at a pivotal moment, and we look forward to working with her.”
–Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign
“In Aisha Moodie-Mills, the Victory Fund has selected a smart and strategic next generation leader, who will not only serve the organization well, but also the larger movement for LGBT equality and representation. Aisha has spent her career fighting to ensure all of us are heard, counted, and represented in our democracy. Her unique experience in media, politics and electoral campaigning — combined with her extensive advocacy work — makes her an inspired choice to lead the Victory Fund into a very bright future.”
–Rashad Robinson, Executive Director, Color of Change
“The Victory Fund has made an exciting and powerful choice in Aisha Moodie-Mills as it’s next President and CEO. The strategic thinking, accessibility and vibrance she brings to her leadership will serve our movement and the country well. She’s got politics in her bones and as the first Black woman to head the Victory Fund, I believe she will inspire a broad range of LGBTQ people to run for elected office and lead this country. I look forward to working with her.”
–Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force
“The National Black Justice Coalition is overjoyed that one of our own community members has been elevated to lead the important work of the Victory Fund. Aisha Moodie-Mills will be a phenomenal addition to one of our nation’s premier LGBT organizations, working to ensure broader representation of LGBT people in elected office. As a black lesbian, Aisha will bring new hope to women, African Americans and other people of color who seek greater opportunities within the LGBT community with her vast talents and dynamic leadership style. NBJC looks forward to continuing to partner with the Victory Fund as Mrs. Moodie-Mills takes the helm as their new president and chief executive officer.”
–Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director & CEO, National Black Justice Coalition
“Aisha is a tireless leader whose experience and wisdom will catapult the Victory Fund into its next critical phases. As a veteran of national politics and a savvy media spokesperson for the LGBT movement for over a decade, I have no doubt Aisha will electrify the organization and continue its legacy as a key player in moving LGBT equality forward.”
–Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO
