Ilana Landsberg-Lewis Rainbow Railroad

The fabulous global org Rainbow Railroad has announced the appointment of Ilana Landsberg-Lewis as their next Chief Executive Officer effective January 5th 2026. Ilana Landsberg-Lewis joins Rainbow Railroad with more than 3 decades of leadership in global human rights, gender justice & philanthropy. As co-founder & former Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Ilana led one of Canada’s most respected international solidarity orgs directing more than $140 million to grassroots partners at the frontlines of the HIV pandemic across sub-Saharan Africa. Her earlier work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) & her ongoing collaboration with feminist & LGBTQ networks worldwide reflect a lifelong commitment to intersectional community-centered leadership. Bruce Koff, Chair of Rainbow Railroad’s Board of Directors stated, “Ilana brings to this work an unmatched combination of wisdom, experience, insight & compassion. In these extraordinarily challenging times, she is the right person at the right time to inspire hope, build trust & empower an expansive global partnership to ensure the safety & well-being of forcibly displaced LGBTQI+ people." Landsberg-Lewis who will be based in NYC concluded, “At a time when LGBTQI+ people are being forcibly displaced & targeted across the globe, leadership has to mean listening, building trust & sharing power. My focus is on strengthening Rainbow Railroad’s ability to move resources to where they’re needed most & to amplify the leadership of those with lived experience. This work is about collective courage and care & I’m deeply honored to work alongside such a formidable team.” Rainbow Railroad is a global nonprofit org that helps at-risk LGBTQ people escape violence & persecution.

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