Amy Harclerode

On November 17, 2023, Amy Harclerode was officially appointed CEO at the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI). Having previously taken on the role of Interim CEO in April 2023, Amy guided HMI through a period of expansion and innovation in response to the mental health crisis affecting queer and trans youth of color. Serving as HMI’s inaugural Chief Development Officer since 2017, Amy played a pivotal role in the organization’s remarkable revenue growth, providing essential support for youth programming, advocacy and capacity building initiatives.

In December 2023, Amy was named a Nonprofit Power Player by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro. Earlier, in June 2023, she was acknowledged as a 2023 LGBTQ+ Power Player by PoliticsNY and secured a coveted spot on the 2023 Power of Diversity: Pride 100 list by City & State NY. Amy’s notable achievements not only underscore her dedication to LGBTQIA+ youth advocacy but also cast a spotlight on the Hetrick-Martin Institute, providing substantial visibility.

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Biology from the University of Tennessee at Martin where she was a scholarship athlete for the Division I UT Women’s Softball Team. She has a Masters in Strategic Marketing and Communications from Fordham University and lives in Mount Vernon, NY with her wife and dog, Piper.

How do you go about building and leading diverse teams, especially in a place like Hetrick-Martin Institute?

I think many of us that work at HMI came there both because of the young people we serve, but also because we are looking for a community of queer and trans people ourselves. At HMI we strive to cultivate the same space and practice with each other as we do for our young people. 

As someone passionate about LGBTQ+ advocacy, how do you make sure your leadership creates a welcoming and supportive space for LGBTQ+ youth in your organizations?

Our entire reason for existing for the last 45 years is to create a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ youth. We center the experience of our young people and of our broader community in all decision making, whether that be the type of programming we curate, the type of volunteers we invite into the space, or the way we give agency to the young people in our care. We make sure that the voices of young people are present in decision making as an organization. A critical part of holding that space is making sure our staff community has shared identity and experience with our young people. A community of caring queer and trans adults engaging young people in a shared experience is what has always driven the profound impact we have. 

What sparked your interest in working in nonprofits and corporate social responsibility, especially focusing on supporting LGBTQ+ youth?

My dad was a career social worker, and I remember talking with him about what he did every day and thinking he was really making a difference. Then, after college I got a job teaching middle school at a small school in southern Arizona. The students and their families at this school were often beneficiaries of social services, so when I had the opportunity to work for one such agency I took it and have never looked back. I have had the honor of working for mentoring organizations, arts organizations, conservation organizations, and many others, and have volunteered for local LGBTQIA+ organizations. After the 2016 Presidential election, I felt an overwhelming need to have my personal and professional lives focused in the direction of social justice and civil rights for my community. As a fundraising professional and now leader of an organization, I love getting to speak to so many internal and external stakeholders and invite them into our community of care. 

What are some of the challenges you personally and/or organizationally face in the current political climate?

The current political climate has empowered so much hate for our community. We are seeing more and more young people come to us for help, and in addition, our staff are also profoundly affected by this disgusting rhetoric as queer and trans folks themselves. Protecting the mental health of our entire HMI community is our most primary need. We have been fortunate that most of our funders and supporters have stayed committed to our young people, and even stepped up support, recognizing what a dire mental health crisis LGBTQIA+ youth, especially youth of color, are facing. We are seeing youth come to us from far beyond NYC looking for community, and the need can sometimes feel overwhelming as we strive to make sure our youth have everything they need and that we are also taking care of the mental health of our staff. 

What are some of the challenges you've faced when it comes to dressing authentically?

Until HMI, I have always been one of a few, or the only, openly queer person in my organization. As a masculine-presenting lesbian, my preferred style of dress has been challenging as often my role in the organization is very rooted in traditional gender presentations and roles. I had always felt a responsibility to try to fit in, and doing so took up so much of my energy. When I finally started to feel comfortable enough to present how I wanted to, it was before the fashion industry had caught up to folks like me; and working at a nonprofit early in my career meant that having access to specially tailored clothing wasn’t an option cost-wise. At times it felt like I was close, but not quite there in terms of fully expressing myself authentically. It’s so heartening to see so many brands create space for all genders to dress authentically.

How have your clothing choices been impacted by your identity?

When I came out as a lesbian, it freed me from gender norms in a way that let me experiment with other clothing choices with a sense of empowerment in exploring who I was. I also found myself in a community with others who I wanted to emulate in presentation.

What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self? 

Spend less time trying to fit in and direct your energy and creativity towards changing the world!