CHELSEA — The second-in-command at Gay Men's Health Crisis will leave the AIDS service organization after spending nearly a decade there, according to the nonprofit.
Janet Weinberg, the organization's chief operating officer, will step down on Sept. 1. Most recently, Weinberg acted as interim CEO from the time the organization's former head, Marjorie Hill, was fired in 2013 until the recent appointment of new CEO Kelsey Louie.
"It has been an honor to serve the clients of GMHC for this past decade," Weinberg said in a statement. "I will cherish the work that has led to improved outcomes for the close to 9,000 people that GMHC serves each year. The agency's commitment to eradicating the epidemic and its professionalism truly is inspirational."
As COO, Weinberg helped bring more than $10.8 million in grants to GMHC and helped expand mental health and substance abuse programming, the organization said.
Along with Hill, Weinberg also helped oversee GMHC's move into new offices at 446 W. 33rd St. Many clients and activists slammed the decision to move into the largely empty offices, which costs the organization $389,000 in rent per month, which critics say takes money away from much-needed services for people living with HIV and AIDS. GMHC is now looking into finding a cheaper space.
Weinberg declined to be interviewed for this story.
Along with Hill and Weinberg, several top leaders at the organization have left over the past year, including CFO David Fazio and top fundraiser Seth Rosen.
In June, civil rights lawyer Roberta Kaplan and former board vice chairman Michael Harwood took over leadership of GMHC's Board of Directors, after longtime chair Mickey Rolfe left the position.
Manny Rivera, the head of the group's Consumer Advisory Board, said Weinberg's departure was a "terrible blow" for GMHC.
"It would be terrible if it were just a standalone action," he wrote in an email. "However, it becomes worse when combined with the recent departures of several other outstanding people such as Mickey Rolfe, [former managing director for program services and evaluation] Jeff Rindler and Seth Rosen."
Weinberg joined the organization as senior managing director of development and legislative funding in 2005 and was promoted to COO in 2009.
"Janet is a dedicated activist and leader whose deep compassion and tireless efforts have led to countless victories for LGBT people in New York," said Kaplan in a statement. "We cannot thank Janet enough not only for her time at GMHC, but for her decades of service to our community. We wish her the very best on her next endeavor and look forward to her continued advice and support."
