SACNAS Board of Directors Appoints Interim Executive Director

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Dr. Lino Gonzalez, president of Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) recently announced that John D. Winnett would join SACNAS as interim executive director. He will be responsible for leading the country’s largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity organization.

“John brings a wealth of nonprofit industry knowledge, extensive change management experience, and a strong background in government relations to the role of interim executive director,” said Dr. Lino Gonzalez, SACNAS President.

“I have devoted my career to transforming nonprofits and encouraging innovation within the social impact sector. I am excited about diversifying SACNAS’ revenue portfolio, focusing on strategic impact, and increasing our national voice and advocacy platform. As a first-generation college graduate, I am committed to the vital role SACNAS plays in developing the next generation of STEM leaders,” added Winnett.

Winnett has served in several non-profit executive roles over the past 13 years. He founded and served as chief strategy officer of WOW! Impact Strategies, a social impact, innovation, change management, and government relations consulting firm that helped transform nonprofits and train boards of directors across the United States. Previous to WOW!, John served as the executive vice president & chief staff officer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy, a foundation charged with helping shape and transform philanthropic giving across North America.

Winnett has served on several boards of directors including Dining Out For Life International, NeedLink Nashville, Christmas for Kids, and the Bacchus Foundation. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cumberland University and has extensive MBA training from Lipscomb University. He lives in Washington, DC.

Mr. Winnett assumed the interim executive director role with SACNAS on March 19, 2018.

About SACNAS
For more than 45 years, SACNAS has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM.

Today, the organization serves nearly 6,000 members and has 115 student and professional chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. SACNAS influences a larger STEM community of over 25,000 through outreach, advocacy, and production of The National Diversity in STEM Conference. For the latest information and updates, follow SACNAS on Facebook or Twitter.