NLIHC is excited to welcome Cecily Thomas as our new Development Coordinator. In this role, they will support the external affairs team and its fund development efforts. Cecily is a communications specialist, public health advocate, and fundraiser passionate about housing rights. Most recently, Cecily coordinated the development and digital communication efforts of a small, low-income healthcare services nonprofit in Fairfax County.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cecily was a Health Counselor at the Ali Forney Center, providing services to unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. Before that, Cecily worked at a low-income and unhoused crisis drop-in organization, coordinating communications and development. They also facilitated development and administration efforts at national healthcare academies, such as the American Academy of Physician Associates, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Neurology, and American Chemical Society. They graduated from James Madison University with a culture-focused bachelor of arts in communication studies with a pre-law track. Their combination of national and grassroots efforts empowers them with a unique perspective that is fueled by unbridled passion for the right of accessible, affordable housing and overall compassion for humanity.