Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield appoints Jan Hefner as Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield is proud and

pleased to announce that it has hired Ms. Jan Hefner as its first ever Executive

Director.

 

This hiring marks a milestone for the Center, as it represents a transition from an

all-volunteer-run nonprofit to one with the fiscal and organizational maturity to begin

employing paid staff. In fact, Ms. Hefner’s experience with grant writing has been

instrumental in procuring important funding that has made it possible for the Center to

grow to its current level of sustainability.

 

Ms. Hefner brings with her 37 years of experience in business and nonprofit

management and volunteering.

 

In 1991, she was instrumental in obtaining the first Ryan White funding in Kern

County to care for people with HIV/AIDS. Because of her efforts, as well as for her

strong advocacy on behalf of Bakersfield’s LGBTQ community, Ms. Hefner was

presented with the 2015 Wendy Wayne Award for Exemplary Ethical Behavior by

California State University Bakersfield’s Kegley Institute of Ethics. The Wendy Wayne

Award honors those who demonstrate strong personal values as well as commitment

to serving our community’s most vulnerable.

 

Most recently, Ms. Hefner was the Director of Community Wellness Programs at

Dignity Health Hospitals in Bakersfield. She is a former board member and the

immediate past president of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield. Her new

assignment begins Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

 

“The Center is fortunate to have someone with Jan's experience and abilities as

Executive Director,” said Allen Belluomini, the Center’s Current Board President. “She

has been instrumental in the Center's success, both as a volunteer and a past board

member. I know that she will do great work for the Center in her new capacity.”

 

For her part, Ms. Hefner said, “I'm honored and proud to accept this position. I look

forward to continuing and expanding the services planted and nurtured by the

Center's dedicated board and volunteers over the last five years.”

 

Since its opening in November of 2011, the center has documented close to 5,000

visits by community members. It mission states that: "The Center is an easy access

hub providing a safe, supportive space and services to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and

transgender community. The Center also serves as a bridge to the greater

Bakersfield community."

 

We are confident in Ms. Hefner’s commitment to the Center’s mission, and trust her

role as Executive Director will only enhance the delivery of the Center’s services to

the local LGBTQ community.

 

The Bakersfield Gay & Lesbian Center is located at 902 18th Street in Downtown

Bakersfield. All are welcome. For information about the center's hours, programs and

activities (including karaoke and movie nights, business networking events,

educational meetings, advocacy work and more) call 661-843-7995

or visit www.glcenterbak.org.