A New Face at Astraea: Simone Sneed
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| Simone Sneed Photo by Melissa Hoskins |
Kimberly Datz, Director of Development said, “I’m so pleased that Simone has joined our team. Her enthusiasm for the work and genuine love of philanthropy as a means to create change makes her a valuable partner for our donors.”
Simone said, “Astraea’s work makes the world a more just and safe space for LGBTI people and this brings a joy to my heart. The opportunity to be a part of such an influential organization with such a talented team of individuals is a truly an honor and a privilege.”
Simone was an ardent Astraea supporter long before she joined the staff. “Growing up in a small upstate New York suburb was very difficult as a lesbian of color. When I found out about Astraea I felt a sense of hope and shared vision. The innovative practices around inclusive philanthropy inspired the work I was doing in my community.” Simone went on to serve as the board chair for Holding Our Own, the only feminist-social-justice grantmaking institution in upstate New York. Over her six-year tenure, she enhanced the organization’s giving capacity through planned giving and capital campaigns and helped to establish the Circle of Women Philanthropists, which aims to make philanthropy more accessible.
Early in her career, Simone became a strong voice in the LGBTI movement in Albany, New York as a young grassroots activist rallying for economic, racial, gender and sexuality rights. She spent several years as a policy analyst with a focus on social service issues for local and state government; as a program director for In Our Own Voices, an LGBTQ people of color organization; and as the Development and Social Marketing Coordinator for Families Together in Albany County, a children’s mental health nonprofit. Simone has presented on several panels about the role of young women in feminism, philanthropy and social justice and is a frequent volunteer with local organizations dedicated to the empowerment of marginalized communities.
