The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].

Jeffrey J. Mack

Congratulations to Jeffrey J. Mack on his new position as Vice President of Development, Individual Campaigns for the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center, located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., opened to the public in September 1971. But its roots date back to 1958, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed bipartisan legislation creating a National Cultural Center. To honor Eisenhower’s vision for such a facility, one of the Kennedy Center’s theaters is named for him. Prior to accepting this position, Mack was Chief Development Officer and co-interim Executive Director of the Washington National Opera (WNO).

Jonathan Thomas, The Kennedy Center’s manager of national and international advancement, said of Mack’s hiring, “In his tenure as WNO’s Chief Development Officer, Jeff transformed the Development operation for the Opera and has helped to create a greater sense of unity between WNO’s fundraising staff and the rest of the company. WNO has also seen tremendous fundraising growth during his tenure. In the past year, Jeff has also undertaken additional responsibility in leading WNO as he held interim executive director responsibilities.”

Mack is a nonprofit fundraiser with 22 years of experience.  His previous positions included Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross and Director of Development for the Point Foundation. He has also worked for Outfest Film Festival, the Human Rights Campaign, and the University of Wyoming. He earned his bachelor’s in political science at the University of Wyoming.

Ben Finzel has announced a new D.C. LGBT communications list he has begun. He created a private list and Facebook group of DC LGBT professionals in the communications arena (e.g. PR, marketing, public affairs, publicity, branding, digital/social, etc.). The objective of the group is to foster professional development and networking among LGBT communications professionals in D.C.

The list and Facebook group are private and are not shared with anyone. The purpose of the list is professional and is limited to sharing news of job openings, new hires and events the group will host throughout the year to build connections among the D.C. LGBT communications community.

The list concept is based on Atlanta Family Communicators, a listserv begun in Atlanta 15 years ago by Atlanta PR pro Jim Brams. The D.C. list is called DC Family Communicators and will be allied with the Atlanta list so that users can share information (and job leads) and help foster greater community among LGBT communications professionals.

While there are other existing LGBT or communications lists in D.C., Finzel said there is not a list solely intended for D.C. LGBT communications professionals. He believes there are still many LGBT communications professionals who don’t know each other in D.C. and this will help them to network with each other.

If you would like to join the list send an email to [email protected].

Ben Finzel