After facing a “serious health crisis,” Ryan Newcomb, executive director of the Utah Pride Center, is leaving the LGBTQ+ nonprofit.
The big picture: It’s the latest setback for the center which has been rocked by financial troubles, two rounds of furloughs, a temporary closure and a slew of leadership changes in the past couple of years.
What they’re saying: “Ryan’s commitment to the success of UPC has been extraordinary. So extraordinary that it has taken a toll on his health,” according to a letter sent Wednesday. “What started as a flu in late January, developed into a serious health crisis that has required Ryan to step back and reassess.”
Between the lines: Newcomb, who has held the job since last September, is the most recent leader to depart from the nonprofit since 2022.
Catch up quick: In January 2022, then-CEO Stacey Jackson-Roberts resigned after four months on the job due to “health and family reasons.”
- Benjamin Carr, Jessica Dummar and Tanya Hawkins were named co-CEOs at the nonprofit that same month.
- Dummar departed after less than a year, while Carr exited last summer, per QSaltLake Magazine.
- Co-CEO Jonathan Foulk, who was hired in 2023, left that same year after the center went through layoffs in August.
- The majority of the remaining staff were furloughed a few weeks later, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
By the numbers: In the letter, the Utah Pride Center announced it had sold its building to a private buyer to help pay off debt accrued from the 2023 Utah Pride Festival.
- Its operations will move to the historic McIntyre Building near City Creek Center.
What’s next: Newcomb plans to step down April 1 ahead of the upcoming Utah Pride Festival, the nonprofit’s marquee event that’s slated for June 1-2.
- Chad Call, who was the festival director in 2022 and 2023, will serve as the interim executive director through mid-June.
