JonathanDLovitzJonathan D. Lovitz, an advocate for LGBT equality who has served as a spokesman for GLAAD, Queerty Inc. and StartOut, is now the vice president of external affairs at the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and director of NGLCC’s New York chapter.

“I am so incredibly honored to join team NGLCC as the new director of NGLCCNY and NGLCC’s new vice president of external affairs,” Lovitz said. “I have been a friend, supporter and fundraiser for this incredible organization in recent years, and now I get to play a role in its dynamic future serving our LGBT business community from the inside.”

Lovitz added that he is committed to continuing the work of NGLCCNY. “For nearly a decade, NGLCCNY has provided its members with transformational networking and educational opportunities that increase the financial, intellectual and social capital of the LGBT business community in New York City,” he said. “As the LGBT community grows stronger with social victories every day, it’s imperative that we continue innovating how we create opportunities to continue effecting change by being successful in business. Through more high-impact programming, we will bring our certified LGBT business enterprises face-to-face with the key decision makers in the supplier-diversity pipeline, creating more opportunities than ever in New York.”

His new roles have the enthusiastic support of Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president. “Jonathan has been a longtime supporter of the NGLCC and has become a great leader in the LGBT business advocacy arena. We’re lucky to have him join Team NGLCC in a dual role leading the NGLCCNY, as well as supporting our national efforts in advocacy and external relations,” he said. “He will work tirelessly to leverage the momentum of our national business movement to increase the number of certified suppliers in the New York region, connect them to new opportunities to help their businesses grow and lead policy initiatives that will continue to solidify New York as the center of business, led by our network of exceptional LGBT entrepreneurs.”