WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, announced the addition of two seasoned and dynamic individuals to its senior leadership team. Jonathan Lovitz will serve as the Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications, leading the team’s organizing, brand, and earned and digital communications teams.  Amy J. Peña will serve as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel, leading the legal, compliance, and risk management portfolio for HRC, the HRC Foundation, and its affiliated PACs.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jonathan and Amy to the Human Rights Campaign at a critical moment for our community and the fight for equality,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “Their deep well of leadership experience, strategic vision, and passionate advocacy will ensure HRC is prepared to face the ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ freedoms from a place of strength, joy and respect.”   

A nationally recognized public affairs and policy leader with deep experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, Lovitz  most recently served as a Director of Public Affairs and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he was a Biden-Harris administration appointee shaping the “Investing in America” story behind the CHIPS and Science Act and other major national economic growth initiatives. Managing a large team based in Washington, D.C., and in regional offices, his work helped drive billions in economic investment and job creation across the country.

Prior to this role, he spent nearly a decade at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), serving on the executive leadership team where he led passage of over 30 public policy wins for the organization and its partners across minority communities, engaged more than 400 corporate and government partners in campaigns across issues and regions, and led business development initiatives. He continues to serve as an advisor to dozens of organizations focused on expanding LGBTQ+ inclusion, voting rights, healthcare access, and more.

Peña brings more than two decades of experience in legal counsel and management for non-profit and for profit organizations to the General Counsel role at HRC. Peña most recently served as the first ever General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for The Chicago Community Trust, a 100-year-old non-profit organization with assets exceeding $4.3 billion. At the Trust, Peña provided a wide range of legal guidance ranging from board governance, nonprofit grant making and tax implications to employment matters, contract negotiation and DEI programs.

Before her time at the Trust, Peña worked as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Association of Lions Clubs, a 1.4-million-member global 501(c)4 association and a $300 million 501(c)3 foundation with offices in the US, India, Japan, South Korea, and wholly owned legal entities in Brazil, Canada, and Australia. During her time at Lions, Peña was responsible for all legal and board governance issues and was instrumental in securing funds in complex cross-border transactions and resolving international disputes. She conducted training worldwide in non-profit governance issues, drafted and introduced federal legislation, counseled Human Resources professionals, and oversaw and implemented a global insurance program for the International Association, the Foundation, and all 45,000 clubs worldwide.

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