meet the new executive director, Anne-Natasha Pinckney

"I am honored to be part of the leadership of an organization that is so dear to my heart.

I pledge to continue listening and serving the community with the help of my mentor, Jan Hefner, the Center staff, and our board members.

Thank you for allowing me to continue working with the remarkable LGBTQIA2S+ community in Kern County.”

-- Anne-Natasha Pinckney

In February 2019, we set a goal to transition from a part-time to full-time Executive Director, to support the continuing growth and expansion of our services for Kern County's LGBTQ+ community. 

This year, that goal has been realized. The Center is pleased to welcome Anne-Natasha Pinckney as the new Executive Director!

"Not only is Anne a talented and compassionate counselor, but she is also an experienced community builder and nonprofit administrator," said Board President Brie Chartier. "On behalf of the entire board, I want to say thank you to Anne for stepping up and continuing to serve the Bakersfield and greater Kern County community." 

Anne-Natasha has been a key member of The Center's staff, since joining in 2016 as the Advocacy Services Coordinator. In that role, she designed services around counseling, support workshops, cultural competency trainings and multi-cultural events. Before that, Anne-Natasha volunteered as the Youth Director at The Center from 2014 to 2016. 

"She is the perfect person to carry us through our next phase of growth," said Jan Hefner, who has served as The Center's part-time Executive Director, since 2016. “She has been an integral part of The Center since well before she joined our staff." Jan will continue with The Center as the Administrative Manager. ​

A native of Southern California's San Fernando Valley – a true “Valley Girl” – Ms. Pinckney obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature, and her Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from California State University, Bakersfield. A United States Air National Guard Veteran, she received her honorable discharge in 2001. During her spare time, Anne is a part-time professor at CSU Bakersfield where she has taught about the LGBTQ+ Experience in the U.S. since 2015.

We're thrilled to have someone with Anne-Natasha's skills and passion at The Center to guide our growth, and look forward to what the future has in store! ​