Advertisement

Perceptions, Great Lakes Bay Region's LGBTQ Nonprofit Organization, Announces New Executive Director

Midland — Perceptions, the Great Lakes Bay Region's LGBTQ nonprofit organization, announced Scott Ellis has been named executive director of the organization dedicated to "building a community that inspires engagement, equality and respect for all."
Ellis, a marketing and special event professional, previously served the LGBTQ community as a Perceptions board member and committee leader. For the past three years, Ellis directed the organization's Great Lakes Bay PRIDE events, leading an inclusive and diverse committee to build the PRIDE Festival, PRIDE Film series and PRIDE After Party into a comprehensive annual LGBTQ and Ally PRIDE season, serving more than 3,000 individuals and featuring numerous inclusive businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Ellis succeeds Chris Lauckner, Perceptions' first executive director and previous president of the board. Under Lauckner's leadership, Perceptions grew sixfold in six years and expanded its scope of services to include LGBTQ senior resources, transgender youth and families support, PRIDE festival leadership, the creation of Harmony Diversity Choir and LGBTQ-targeted mental and physical health education. Lauckner will remain with Perceptions as chairman emeritus and collaborate with Ellis to support Perceptions' service offerings and community partnerships.
"Due to our exponential growth, Perceptions is prepared to continue its successful collaborations with partners and community leaders to expand further our services – particularly in the areas of LGBTQ youth, seniors, transgender individuals, and health. I have known Scott professionally for several years now — we have worked on many programs and initiatives together. With his insight and energy, I am confident Scott will lead Perceptions onward to great things!" said Beth Sibray, Perceptions' president of the board of trustees.
"I am excited and honored to take on this new role with Perceptions and continue making strides towards achieving our vision of a community that inspires engagement, equality and respect for all. Working within our community has provided me the opportunity to connect with incredible individuals, businesses and other nonprofit organizations that believe diversity and inclusion are vital to our future success as a region," said Scott Ellis, Perceptions' executive director.
Ellis joins Perceptions from BaySail, where he was the organization's marketing director. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Saginaw Valley State University.
Perceptions is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of trustees serving the Great Lakes Bay Region since 2002. Perceptions' mission is to provide inclusive sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (SOGIE) education, advocacy, networking, and resources to individuals and organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Advertisement
Advertisement

From the Pride Source Marketplace

Go to the Marketplace
Directory default
Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce MemberTHE STANDARD D&I OPERATING SYSTEMTHE GLOBAL…
Learn More
Directory default
I have over 30 years experience working with adults and adolescents who have issues with depression…
Learn More
Directory default
Judgment-free, patient-centered vision care. We treat each vision patient with top-quality,…
Learn More
Directory default
Birmingham Maple Clinic is a BC/BS provider of outpatient mental health services for individuals,…
Learn More
Advertisement