San Diego Pride Appoints KishaLynn Elliott as Executive Director, Making a Historic New Era

By Joslyn Hatfield

San Diego Pride has announced the appointment of KishaLynn Elliott (she/her) as its new Executive Director, marking a historic milestone for one of the nation’s longest-standing LGBTQIA+ organizations. Elliott becomes the first Black lesbian to serve as permanent Executive Director in San Diego Pride’s more than 50-year history of fostering pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for LGBTQIA+ communities, as decades of hard-fought progress face renewed challenges. For San Diego Pride, Elliott’s leadership represents both a significant moment of representation and a clear recommitment to justice-centered, community-rooted leadership.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be called on to lead this legacy organization,” Elliott said. “San Diego Pride is a powerful civic institution and a beacon of hope for our region. At this pivotal moment together, we have the opportunity to redefine what community leadership looks like.”

Elliott emphasized that her leadership philosophy is grounded in restorative justice, radical transparency, and human dignity. “This work is about creating a sanctuary of belonging not only in July, but every single day — here in San Diego and worldwide,” she said. “I believe that joy is our greatest renewable resource. When we heal and strengthen our internal community, our external impact becomes unstoppable.”

With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, Elliott brings a rare combination of operational expertise and values-driven vision. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer of the Monarch School Project, where she managed complex operations while advancing equity for unhoused youth. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), with a proven track record of strengthening organizational infrastructure, stabilizing budgets, and cultivating resilient, community-centered cultures.

San Diego Pride’s Board of Directors underscored the significance of Elliott’s appointment following a rigorous national search.

“KishaLynn Elliott’s appointment represents both a powerful milestone and a clear statement of values,” said Board Co-Chair Paris Quion. “Her leadership reflects the lived experiences, professional expertise, and clarity needed to guide San Diego Pride forward during this critical moment. She is the leader our organization and community need.”

Board Co-Chair Joshua Dunn echoed that sentiment, noting Elliott’s ability to bridge vision and execution. “It was clear that KishaLynn possessed the rare combination of visionary heart and operational discipline that this organization deserves,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome a leader who not only understands our history but has the strategic insight to secure our future.”

Elliott’s leadership aligns closely with San Diego Pride’s mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for LGBTQIA+ communities locally, nationally, and globally, and its vision of a world free from prejudice and bias. Under her direction, the organization will continue advancing its Pillars of Justice, reinforcing that Pride’s work extends far beyond a single weekend and into year-round advocacy, education, and community building.

San Diego Pride also expressed deep gratitude to Interim Executive Directors Madonna Cacciatore and Kristin Flickinger, whose steady leadership provided stability and continuity during a period of transition. Their guidance, alongside the dedication of staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners, helped position the organization for this next chapter with clarity and purpose.

Founded in 1974, San Diego Pride has grown from organizing the city’s first Lesbian and Gay Parade to becoming a vital civic institution supporting LGBTQIA+ communities through advocacy, arts and culture programming, and community philanthropy. To date, the organization has distributed more than $2.5 million in support of its mission.

As San Diego Pride looks ahead, Elliott’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to inclusive leadership, community accountability, and the belief that Pride is not only a celebration but a year-round movement rooted in justice, resilience, and collective care.