December 1, 2009, New York, NY —The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today welcomed Jeffrey Sosnick as Senior Director of Development.

“Jeffrey’s long history with GLAAD, knowledge of GLAAD supporters, and track record of fundraising successes will help us reach our ambitious goals for 2010 and beyond,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.

Sosnick has been involved with GLAAD since the organization began 24 years ago, having previously served as both a staff and Board Member. He began working with GLAAD in 1985 and organized its first major fundraising event, a benefit performance at the Public Theater in New York City in May 1988. Sosnick served on GLAAD’s Board of Directors at various periods of the organization’s history, during which he solicited and secured contributions from major donors and worked to identify candidates to expand the Board of Directors.

In 1990, he chaired a five-member team which created the inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. In subsequent years, he volunteered as a Co-Chair of the GLAAD Media Awards numerous times, assisting in promotion and development of the annual Awards.

Sosnick played a leading role in the creation of GLAAD’s inaugural National Board of Directors in 1994 when GLAAD evolved from local chapters into a national advocacy organization structure. During this inaugural stage he served as Secretary of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Board Development Committee and a Member of both the Executive Committee as well as the Finance Committee.

He joined GLAAD’s staff in 1998 as Director of Annual Giving and, during his tenure, secured the largest single gift made by a donor to GLAAD at that point in the organization’s history.

Most recently, Sosnick served as At-Large Director on the National Board of Directors (2005-07) during which time he focused on Board development and overseeing annual budgets as part of the Finance/Audit Committee. He served as part of an Ad-Hoc Committee responsible for revising GLAAD’s bylaws and was also responsible for the hiring of 12 new staff positions.

“GLAAD has played a major role in my life for almost a quarter century and it is both a privilege and an honor to return as a member of its dedicated staff,” Sosnick said. “For me, it’s like coming home.”

He attended the University of Southern California. Sosnick will be based in GLAAD’s New York office with frequent travels to the organization’s Los Angeles office.

He lives in New York City with his partner of 31 years, Albert A. Carucci.