Equality Ohio announces new executive director

The Equality Ohio Board has announced that Dwayne Steward has joined the organization as its next executive director.

Steward joins Equality Ohio having previously served as director of inclusive excellence, accessibility & belonging of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and he is the founder and CEO of Make It Better Consulting. He is also award-winning writer, speaker, and activist who has influenced macro-level increases in access to healthcare and social services for marginalized communities, leading to community-wide decreases in health disparities.

The Board praised Steward as a veteran LGBTQ+ leader whose previous roles have well-positioned him to lead the nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

“Dwayne’s experience as an executive coach helping nonprofits thrive, his journalism background and his time as a community health leader will be invaluable for Equality Ohio as we fight back against those in the legislature who do not believe that all Ohioans deserve bodily autonomy and access to gender-affirming care,” said Amanda Everitt, Equality Ohio board chair.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dwayne as he helps us plan a new strategic vision for the future while we continue our work to ensure Ohio is a place with lived and legal equality for all LGBTQ+ Ohioans and our allies,” said Lynn Readey, Equality Ohio Education Fund board chair.

As executive director, Steward will assume executive leadership responsibility for Equality Ohio and Equality Ohio Education Fund, providing strategic, administrative, and financial stewardship of the 25-person team with responsibility for direct organizational development, fundraising/resource development, policy/advocacy, organizing, and external relations, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders to advance Equality Ohio’s mission.

“I am thrilled to join an organization that not only supports the community but also supports its people, and has prioritized creating a more fair and equitable workplace,” said Steward. “Our community is experiencing an unprecedented legislative assault, but I believe Ohio is worth fighting for, and I look forward to advocating on the front lines for a more inclusive Ohio.”

Equality Ohio’s work includes the state’s first (and still only) legal clinic committed to providing LGBTQ+ Ohioans with legal services, statewide advocacy, and work to advance local non-discrimination protections.

Steward begins in his new role officially on Sept. 12. 🔥