The Board of Directors of D.C.’s LGBTQ youth advocacy organization SMYAL announced on Dec. 15 that it has named the SMYAL Board’s vice chair, Daniel Penchina, as the group’s Interim Executive Director.

The announcement says Penchina, who has close to 20 years of experience in working with nonprofit organizations involved in social justice causes, will serve as interim director while the board conducts a nationwide search for the replacement of SMYAL Executive Director Sultan Shakir.

Shakir announced earlier this month that he will step down from his executive director’s position at the end of December to pursue other endeavors after seven years of service as the SMYAL director.

“In addition to announcing long-time SMYAL Board Member Daniel Penchina as the Interim Executive Director, SMYAL’s Executive Search Committee, led by Board Member Billy Fettweis, will hire a search firm to assist in finding a new Executive Director, whom the organization plans to name by next summer,” according to a Dec. 15 statement released by SMYAL.

The statement says Penchina will step down as Vice-Chair of the SMYAL Board as he assumes his new temporary position as Interim Executive Director.

“Throughout these next few months, SMYAL’s dedicated staff will ensure that as little as possible changes in our youth-facing programs as they continue their hard work to provide LGBTQ youth with resources, spaces, and support they need to thrive,” said SMYAL Board Chair Rob Cogorno.

The SMYAL statement announcing Penchina’s appointment as Interim Executive Director says Penchina is the founder of the D.C. based consulting firm Penchina Partners, where he serves as president. It says he has worked in leadership positions with several other organizations providing assistance and management support for nonprofit groups, including the D.C. based Raben Group, a progressive public affairs firm.

“Daniel Penchina brings nearly 20 yeas of experience working with social justice organizations to assist nonprofits with management challenges, program evaluation, strategic planning, funding and communications, strategy, and government relations,” the SMYAL statement says.