Ian Palmquist

Background

About Ian Palmquist

Ian Palmquist is Deputy Executive Director of Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator that builds power in its network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. He leads an all-star team of experienced movement professionals working to build strong, resilient, and adaptive leaders and powerful organizations that are securing legal protections, improving the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people and advancing racial equity. With more than 20 years of experience in the LGBTQ movement, Ian is a skilled coalition builder, lobbyist, strategist, and manager. He enjoys facilitation, developing leadership and consulting to build strong nonprofit organizations. He is also passionate about HIV, reproductive rights, and centering racial equity in the causes he works on. Ian currently serves on the board of directors of the Adaptive Leadership Network. He previously spent twelve years at Equality North Carolina, including five as Executive Director. He led the successful campaign to pass the School Violence Prevention Act, the first LGBTQ+-inclusive law in state history and the first statute to include protections for the transgender community in the South. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he received his Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.