San Diego Pride Announces Leane Marchese as General Manager

Leane Marchese has been named the new executive director of San Diego Pride, replacing interim co-executive directors Jen LaBarbera and Sarafina Scapicchio.

A San Diego native, Marchese served on the San Diego Pride Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008 and volunteers regularly. She has also led LGBTQIA+ and Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives throughout her professional career.

“I am deeply honored to take on this role. As the new Executive Director of San Diego Pride, I am deeply committed to fostering a strong, connected community where every member of the LGBTQIA+ family feels valued and supported,” she said. “San Diego Pride is more than a celebration: it is a powerful movement of visibility, acceptance and change.”

Leane Marchese is seen in an undated photo.

“My goal is to honor this legacy and ensure that Pride remains a symbol of strength, resilience and celebration for future generations.”

Most recently, Marchese served as the founding executive director of Life Science Cares San Diego, where she worked with the life sciences industry to address poverty and inequality, according to a statement from Pride. Her experience includes leadership roles at the YMCA of San Diego County and ElderHelp.

“Leane’s thoughtful and inclusive leadership will be an invaluable asset to San Diego Pride and comes at a time when our LGBTQIA+ community needs visibility, strength and unity,” said Toni Atkins, President Pro Tempore Emeritus of the State Senate. “San Diego Pride and its year-round programming are vital to our community, and I look forward to Leane bringing her passion, skills and dedication to this work.”

The San Diego Pride Board of Directors worked with respected executive search firm, Blair Search Partners, to conduct a national search and solicited the support of community members, volunteers and Pride staff to research and select a final candidate.

LaBarbera and Scapicchio will remain at San Diego Pride and resume their roles as director of education and advocacy and deputy executive director, respectively.