Elisa Crespo (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of the NEW Pride Agenda, a statewide advocacy organization advancing the economic, health, racial, and gender identity justice needs of marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals. As the first executive director of the organization and a trans Latina woman, Elisa is a trailblazer in the nonprofit sector, where just 5% of NYC-area nonprofit leaders are Latina women. Under her leadership, the nonprofit successfully advocated for the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund, making NY the second state to establish such a fund. Since 2022, funding has steadily increased, with $13m+ over four fiscal years benefiting over two dozen organizations’ workforce readiness, suicide prevention, and health and wellness programs for transgender individuals.
Elisa is a key advocate for the New York Equal Rights Amendment; the organization is an Executive Committee coalition member of New Yorkers for Equal Rights. In response to threats on workplace DEI efforts, the organization founded the New York State LGBTQ+ Business Council in 2023 to build business relationships, enhance professional development opportunities, and more. Previously, Elisa was the Education Liaison for the Bronx Borough President’s Office and the first transgender woman of color to run for office in the Bronx.