CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC has recruited Kim Leisey, Ph.D. as Executive Director (ED) at Rehoboth Beach, DE-based LGBTQ+ community center CAMP REHOBOTH, Inc. A national search that began in January to identify Dr. Leisey was led by Johnny Cooper, Founder, and CEO of the firm. Dr. Leisey brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community building, making her an ideal fit for the organization. With more than three decades of dedicated service to the State of Maryland in higher education, Dr. Leisey has a proven track record of leadership and a strong vision for creating inclusive and thriving communities.
Most recently, she served as the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she played a pivotal role in fostering a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for students, faculty, and surrounding communities.
“Kim’s unique combination of experience, skills, and exposure gained across thirty-plus years of her work at UMBC is rare. Her perspective, leadership, and vision are well-suited for the varied resources, programs, and services this community center offers to so many people throughout Southern Delaware and beyond. She is the unicorn we were hoping to find, and everyone who CAMP reaches—today and for many years to come—are fortunate to have her in such an influential role,” said Johnny Cooper.
Dr. Leisey's expertise extends beyond higher education, as she has also made significant contributions to various organizations. She served as the Vice President of Kidpower International, focusing on teaching safety and self-protection skills, and currently holds the position of Secretary on the Board of Coastal Concerts in Lewes, DE. Additionally, Dr. Leisey's involvement with the Greater Baltimore Committee Public Safety task force showcases her dedication to addressing critical community issues.
Throughout her career, Dr. Leisey has consistently advocated for those who are marginalized and vulnerable, working tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard. She is renowned for her integrity, compassion, and commitment to fostering strong, healthy, and inclusive communities.
In her new role as Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, Dr. Leisey will be responsible for leading the organization and driving its mission to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. Her strategic vision and leadership will guide CAMP Rehoboth towards continued growth, programmatic effectiveness and expansion, and enhanced community outreach initiatives.
"Kim's exceptional leadership qualities, extensive experience, and deep commitment to community building make her the perfect choice to carry on the legacy and vision of our Founders, leading CAMP Rehoboth Community Center into the future," said Wesley Combs, Board President of CAMP Rehoboth. "We are thrilled to welcome her to the CAMP family, and we look forward to working closely with her to further our mission of inclusivity and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community."
"I am thrilled to join CAMP Rehoboth Community Center as its Executive Director," Leisey said. "I am deeply committed to the organization's mission of fostering inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging for all members of our LGBTQIA+ community. I look forward to working collaboratively with the dedicated staff, volunteers, and community members to build upon CAMP’s tremendous legacy and bring positive change to Rehoboth Beach and beyond."
The Board of Directors and staff of CAMP Rehoboth Community Center express their excitement and warm welcome to Dr. Kim Leisey as she assumes the role of Executive Director. Her extensive experience, leadership acumen, and genuine passion for community empowerment make her an invaluable asset to the organization and its mission.
About Cooper Coleman LLC
Cooper Coleman LLC is a full-service retained executive search and consulting firm partnering exclusively with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions to drive meaningful growth. Its team moves organizations forward by placing the right leaders in the right roles at the right time and helps to strengthen their management and fundraising capacity to amplify their mission and impact.
Cooper Coleman partners with clients spanning the social sector, including those focused on civil rights, global health, performing arts + culture, social services, and LGBTQ+ issues, among others.
Founder and CEO Johnny Cooper has more than 16 years of leadership experience throughout the social sector. He established Cooper Coleman to solve a gap in service delivery to the sector, specifically how search firms represent nonprofit clients and the insufficient attention paid to the candidate experience throughout a search—chosen or not. Cooper partnered with William B. Coleman, Jr., to establish Cooper Coleman as a firm that prioritizes making the essential services of executive search accessible to organizations across the social sector, knowing the transformational impact having the right leaders in the right roles can have on an organization and its mission. Bill Coleman has more than 25 years’ experience in retained executive search, including leading his own firm, Coleman Search Consulting LLC, for more than ten years until its sale in 2018.
For more information on Cooper Coleman LLC, visit their website at www.coopercoleman.com and find them on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coopercoleman.
About CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
CAMP Rehoboth, which stands for (Create A More Positive) Rehoboth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit LGBTQ+ community service organization and is the largest and only organization of its type serving the needs of LGBTQ people in Rehoboth, greater Sussex County, and throughout the state of Delaware. CAMP Rehoboth is dedicated to creating a positive environment inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities in Rehoboth Beach and its related communities. It seeks to promote cooperation and understanding among all people as they work to build a safer community with room for all.
For more information on CAMP Rehoboth, visit www.camprehoboth.com.