Dear OUTWORDS community,

It is my profound joy and honor to announce that Beth Shipp has joined OUTWORDS as our new executive director this spring.

Beth has spent more than two decades working at the forefront of some of the nation’s most pressing social justice issues, guiding mission-driven organizations through growth, transformation, and impact. Her leadership roles have included executive director of Mothers Out Front, a national organization of parents fighting for climate justice in their local communities; managing director of Caring Across Generations, a campaign to transform how care is given, valued, and received in this country; and executive director of LPAC, the leading political advocacy organization building the power and representation of LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates.

A Missouri native and proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Beth currently lives in Longmont, Colorado with her partner. In their free time, they enjoy discovering new places across Colorado, taking road trips, and getting happily lost in bookstores—especially those with a great coffee shop.

Upon receiving and accepting the offer to become OUTWORDS’ second ED, Beth said, “I’m thrilled to join OUTWORDS and to build on the extraordinary foundation Mason Funk has created. The work of preserving and sharing LGBTQ+ elders’ stories is both urgent and deeply meaningful, and I’m excited to partner with the board, staff, and community to carry this work forward—expanding its reach and ensuring these stories continue to inspire and connect people for generations to come.”

OUTWORDS board chair Scott Galea shared the following thoughts on Beth’s selection: “At the end of a comprehensive national search to identify OUTWORDS’ next executive director, I can conclusively state that Beth Shipp is the best candidate we encountered in the entire process. Beth has the right combination of experience, drive, and long-term commitment to the LGBTQ+ movement to lead OUTWORDS into our future. At a time of multi-pronged efforts to silence queer voices, Beth makes us believe that we can overcome those forces – and that she’s the right person to lead the charge.”

As you all know, building OUTWORDS over the past decade has been the journey of a lifetime for me. I also knew the time would come when OUTWORDS would benefit from and flourish under new leadership. The time is now, and I could not be more thrilled at the Board’s choice of Beth Shipp to succeed me. She has experience, tenacity, and vision. Under Beth’s leadership, OUTWORDS’ quest to fortify and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by amplifying the voices of our community elders will flourish and grow as never before.

Please join me in celebrating Beth Shipp as OUTWORDS’ new ED! 

With gratitude,

Mason Funk
Founder, OUTWORDS