From GGF to NCCJ: Jennifer Ruppe is committed to her community. / CREDIT: Facebook
On September 26, The Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center (GGF) bid farewell to Jennifer Ruppe, formally the Executive Director of the organization.
Ruppe had been with GGF for seven years in the role. Now she’ll be serving as the next president and CEO of North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ).
In the wake of her departure from GGF, Ruppe leaves behind an impressive list of accomplishments during the time she spent there. The organization saw a doubling of their annual revenue stream, allowing them the opportunity to utilize the funding increase to provide more for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Together in partnership with the staff of GGF, Ruppe was able to raise the Center’s visibility in Greensboro and the surrounding region, as well, by connecting with local, state and national leaders. She also lead a campaign for a new center building for the organization.
The year 2023 marked another major accomplishment for Ruppe and GGF: the development of a strategic plan for 2024-25 to continue improvement of the center and expand further programs for the region’s LGBTQ+ community. The initiative adds to her legacy at GGF, which will continue on even after her departure.
In a public statement, Ruppe had this to say about her time with GGF: “Leading GGF has been an honor. This organization is deeply personal to me and all the founders, donors, partners and community members who rely on GGF to create a thriving LGBTQ community for all. The center is a visible commitment to [our] community. Leading GGF through its development will remain one of the greatest accomplishments of my career. I am profoundly thankful for all the support I have received while serving in this role.”
The staff at GGF agreed. In a statement about Ruppe’s tenure, Board of Directors Chair Kami Rowan said, “Jennifer has made a generational impact on the lives of LGBTQ people in Greensboro. The center would not be what it is today without her vision and steady leadership.”
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Jennifer for her invaluable contributions to the Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center,” adds Jack Garvey Jr., a member of the resources committee, which has begun a search for Ruppe’s successor.
From NCCJ’s press statement: “Our team is excited to work with Jennifer,” says Erika Rain Wilhite, who joined NCCJ’s staff as development director in 2016 and has led the organization as interim executive director since January. “GGF has been a key community partner to NCCJ for many years, which means many of us already know her and the positive impact her leadership has made here in our community. We’re confident Jennifer is the right person to lead NCCJ into our next chapter.”