The Trevor Project Names New Executive Director & CEO

Abbe Land of the Saban Free Clinic to Begin March 2012

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The Trevor Project announced the selection of its new Executive Director and CEO, Abbe Land, following an extensive nationwide search. Land, a recognized and respected health care professional, brings an impressive history of ensuring care to under-represented populations. She will begin her tenure in March with The Trevor Project, the nation's leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. 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.

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"We are excited to have Abbe Land join The Trevor Project as the new executive director and CEO. 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," said 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 comes to The Trevor Project having served as co-CEO of The Saban Free Clinic in Los Angeles since 2003. During her tenure, she co-led the Clinic's growth from a $6 million to a $16 million budget, including the opening of two new clinics and the building of a $22 million endowment. She oversaw all aspects of Saban's operations ensuring integration of physical and mental health; providing medical, dental and mental health services to over 21,000 patients annually; and managing a full-time staff of 140 with more than 300 volunteers.

Land brings a wealth of public policy knowledge to The Trevor Project as a longtime elected official who champions the needs of youth. She has served the City of West Hollywood from 1986-1997 as a council member and was elected twice as mayor. She was re-elected to office in 2003 and is currently serving a 4-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 said. "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 her new role with The Trevor Project, Land will be responsible for strategically managing and growing the organization's $5 million budget with responsibility for all operations of the organization. Land will also serve as the lead executive and chief ambassador for The Trevor Project supporting the organization's life-saving mission and vision.

She steps into the role following ten months of growth under McFarland's leadership. In that time, The Trevor Project's budget grew from $2.2 million to $5 million, with a program investment of 81% in FY2011, (compared to 70% in FY2010). The organization 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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth worldwide.

Addressing McFarland's stewardship of the organization as interim executive director, Strauss said, "We at The Trevor Project extend our heartfelt thanks to David McFarland, who has been instrumental in increasing our presence and profile on a national level among donors and supporters. His work has made Trevor's life-saving services known to LGBT youth throughout the country. We are grateful that he will continue to guide the organization during this exciting transition period."

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a "Champion of Change," The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.  

SOURCE The Trevor Project