Betsy is RQI’s executive director since May 2021. She brings more than 30 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and educator and has taken over executive leadership from Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, RQI’s co-founders and long-time co-directors.
Prior to joining RQI, Betsy spent 14 years as executive director and president of EqualityMaine, an LGBTQ advocacy organization. Under Betsy’s leadership, EqualityMaine implemented three strategic plans that built organizational brand and significantly increased the visibility and reputation of the organization. She grew the annual budget from $75,000 to $1 million and the staff from one to ten. She led movement-building efforts through extensive collaboration and coalition building and co-led strategic planning and implementation of four statewide ballot measure campaigns, resulting in the successful passage of non-discrimination protections and marriage equality.
Betsy previously served as executive director of the Boston-based Citizens for Participation in Political Action (CPPAX), a multi-issue organization that promoted social and economic justice through education, lobbying, and demonstrations. In addition, Betsy worked as an independent consultant, supporting nonprofit leaders and organizations in Maine in strategic planning, fundraising, capacity building, campaign strategy, and other non-profit needs and focuses.
Betsy is also an educator who spent 11 years as a middle and high school mathematics teacher in Vermont and Maine. She earned her master’s degree in education from Colorado State University.
Betsy lives in Portland, Maine with her wife and two children.