Project Pride SRQ Appoints Inaugural Executive Director

April 26, 2024 | Sarasota

The Project Pride SRQ board has named Paul Lotierzo as the organization’s first-ever executive director; he will officially take the helm on May 1, 2024. In this role, Lotierzo is poised to leverage his wide array of nonprofit networking and development experience to usher Project Pride into the next chapter of its ever-expanding presence while increasing its impact on the Sarasota community, the Gulf Coast region, and beyond.

Lotierzo recently left a position as chief development officer at Civic Influencers, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of young voters; prior to that, he served for three years as director of development with Athlete Ally, a New York City-based organization dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.

With extensive fundraising experience and a proven track record of success, Lotierzo is particularly well-suited to implement advanced strategies for Project Pride’s fundraising and growth. Exceeding development targets year over year throughout his career, Lotierzo designed, executed, and oversaw wildly successful fundraising campaigns, generating multi-million-dollar annual revenue streams. His seemingly fearless approach to development resulted in nurturing successful funding ties with corporate heavy hitters such as Adidas, Gatorade, P&G, Gillette, Nike, and Major League Soccer.

Lotierzo also spent six years at Immigration Equality, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free legal representation for LGBTQ and HIV+ refugees, where he supported successful fundraising initiatives that increased the organization’s operating budget into the multi-millions through strategic corporate sponsorships and major donor support. Early in his activist career, he was also on the Greater New York Steering Committee of Human Rights Campaign as Pride co-chair for Long Island.  

Stepping into this new role at Project Pride, Lotierzo sees a vision for organizational growth that “champions inclusivity and allyship in every facet of Project Pride’s work. By acknowledging the complex realities of those we stand with, we can foster a more visible, inclusive, and united front in the ongoing fight for equality.”

While Lotierzo is originally from the state of New York, he attended the University of Tampa, worked in administration at the Florida Department of Transportation in Tampa, and volunteered with Equality Florida for LGBTQ+ rights as well as Clean Water Action to clean up the Hillsborough River. He also celebrated a more recent and heartfelt connection to the local area by becoming engaged to his partner, Verden, during a trip to Lido Key Beach.

From Project Pride’s perspective, Lotierzo’s arrival is the next step in the upward trajectory of the thriving local nonprofit, with its dedicated board, passionate volunteers, an outsized vision for where it is headed, and the propulsive power of a community that shows up day after day to support and love each other.

“Project Pride is excited about the next chapter in moving Pride forward in Sarasota,” said Project Pride board president Jason Champion. “Paul is the perfect fit for us because of his experience fighting for LGBTQ rights, his corporate connections, and sheer tenacity.”

Lotierzo’s insights align with the organizational vision for his role, noting that the professional and personal journey that brought him to Project Pride taught him that “change is not just about the big moments – it’s about the everyday actions, conversations, and support we offer each other. As the first executive director of Project Pride SRQ, I am committed to making every day count for the betterment of our LGBTQ+ and allied community, and the celebration of our shared humanity.”

Visit ppsrq.org to learn more about Project Pride.