Trevor Project Gets a New Boss

Abbe Land is named as the new executive director

The Trevor Project named its new executive director and CEO this week. Abbe Land takes over the LGBT organization specializing in crisis intervention, when she begins her tenure in March. She succeeds David McFarland who has served in an interim role since April 2011. McFarland will continue as interim executive director and CEO through the transition.

Courtesy of The Trevor Project

“Abbe brings an exceptional skill set as an effective organizational leader, a visionary in providing support to under-served populations and as an elected official,” says Ricky Strauss, interim chair of the board of The Trevor Project. “Her experience in assisting youth and being an advocate for LGBT issues will fortify The Trevor Project and those who depend on its services.”

Land previously served as co-CEO of The Saban Free Clinic in Los Angeles since 2003 where she helped lead the clinic’s growth from a $6 million to a $16 million budget, including the opening of two new clinics and building a $22 million endowment. She also integrated physical and mental health services, which allowed the center to reach more than 21,000 patients annually with a full-time staff of 140 and more than 300 volunteers.

She also served as a council member for the City of West Hollywood (1986-1997) and was elected twice as mayor. She was re-elected to office in 2003 and is currently serving a four-year term, having won re-election in March 2011.

“I am honored to have been chosen as executive director and CEO of The Trevor Project, one of the most crucial and critical organizations of its kind in the world,” Land says. “The work of helping to prevent suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth is of paramount concern and importance to a  community I care deeply about.”

In the past few years, The Trevor Project’s budget grew to $5 million, and has been recognized by the White House as a “Champion of Change” in suicide prevention; has gained an expanded role within the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention; and has worked with the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to improve lives of LGBTQ youth worldwide.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression, please contact The Trevor Project lifeline at 866-488-7386.