July 17, 2024 – StartOut, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, is excited to announce the addition of Herman Flowers as the new Program Associate for Access to Capital. Additionally, three team members have been promoted in recognition of their outstanding contributions: Tarik Perkins to Chief Program Officer, Allison Wright to Director of Education, and Christa Kilday to Senior Marketing Manager.
Herman Flowers (he/him)
Herman Flowers joins StartOut with a wealth of experience in talent acquisition, customer success, program management, and operations. He was one of the early team members at Automately, a recruiting services company later acquired by venture capital firm, Sequoia Capital, where he played a pivotal role in transforming their services to help early-stage founders streamline their hiring processes effectively. Based in San Francisco, Herman will focus on connecting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with the capital they need to thrive. His dedication and expertise will undoubtedly make a significant impact on our mission.
Tarik Perkins (he/him) – Chief Program Officer
Tarik Perkins, with nearly three decades of professional experience, has been promoted to Chief Program Officer. Residing in upstate New York, Tarik’s extensive background in food manufacturing, international development, and organizational development, along with his expertise in people management, program design, and fundraising, has been invaluable to StartOut. He has a proven track record, having tripled revenues at his family’s food manufacturing plant in Jamaica and overseen impactful programs at Cuso International.
“I am eager to improve the impact and quality of StartOut’s programs, to ensure that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have the resources and support they need to succeed,” said Tarik Perkins. “I look forward to continuing our work to create a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Allison Wright (she/her) – Director of Education
Allison “Al” Wright, with over 15 years of experience in digital program development, learning design, and instructional design has been promoted to Director of Education. Al’s innovative strategies and leveraging of new technologies have elevated the learning experience for many. Located in Portland, Oregon, she will spearhead StartOut’s education strategy, integrating best practices in learning design, mentorship, and digital programming to enhance the knowledge and skills of LGBTQ+ startup founders.
Christa Kilday (she/her) – Senior Marketing Manager
Christa Kilday, a marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in the non-profit sector, has been promoted to Senior Marketing Manager. Since joining StartOut during the onset of the pandemic Christa has revitalized StartOut’s marketing efforts through a rebrand, new website, and expanded storytelling. Based in Colorado, Christa’s expertise in marketing strategy and brand awareness will continue to drive StartOut’s mission forward when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ founders.
“These appointments reflect the exceptional talent and dedication within our team,” said StartOut CEO Brian Richardson. “With Herman joining us and the well-deserved promotions of Tarik, Al, and Christa, we are poised to make even greater strides in supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and building a more equitable business environment.”