By K. Terry Smith, President, Board of Trustees
There is a lesson I return to often: none of us gets to see the full impact of the seeds we plant.
We nurture ideas, invest in people, solve problems, and build toward a vision that may take years to fully bloom. Leadership, at its best, is not about ownership. It is about stewardship. We are each entrusted with a season of care before passing our work forward to the next set of hands.
As we enter September, that lesson feels especially meaningful.
This month marks 45 years since Stonewall Union was founded in 1981. For nearly half a century, generations of community members, volunteers, staff, advocates, donors, and leaders have tended to this shared garden. Some planted seeds, some cultivated new growth, others weathered difficult seasons and ensured that what had been built would endure. Because of their efforts, Stonewall Columbus stands today as an organization rooted in resilience, community, and hope.
When I became President of the Board of Trustees in October 2023, I knew I was stepping into a story much larger than myself. The responsibility was humbling then, and it remains humbling today. Over the course of my presidency, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand what is possible when a community commits itself to helping one another grow.
I have seen it in the inviting smiles of volunteers at the front desk, who show up because they believe in creating a more welcoming and affirming Columbus. I have seen it in the unwavering support of donors who continue to give year after year, sustaining our work through their generosity. I have seen it in our dedicated staff members, who devote their energy and expertise to advancing our mission every day. And I have seen it in my fellow board members, whose leadership, care, and commitment continue to inspire me. Like any thriving garden, Stonewall’s strength has never come from a single “gardener”. It comes from the generous community of people who contribute care, attention, and vision over time.
That same spirit was reflected this month as the first cohort of participants graduated from our new Out To Work – workforce development program. Seven individuals completed six weeks of learning, professional development, and career preparation, taking important steps toward new opportunities.
What excites me most about Out To Work is that it represents what can happen when we cultivate partnerships as intentionally as we cultivate programs. This achievement was made possible through the support of funders and partners who believe in our mission, including the Franklin County Office of Economic Engagement and Community Development, and a network of collaborators who invested their expertise, resources, and trust in this vision. Just as no garden flourishes on its own, meaningful community impact is only possible when many people work together toward a common goal.
This year has also been a season of transition.
Change can create uncertainty, but it can also create the conditions for new growth. Some of the most important work in a garden happens between seasons, when soil is tended, roots are strengthened, and plans are made for what comes next.
That is why I am deeply grateful for the leadership of Interim Director, Lois Hochstetler. Lois has led with steadiness, thoughtfulness, and care during an important chapter for Stonewall Columbus. She has helped maintain focus on our mission while preparing the organization for its next phase of growth. Her leadership has ensured that the garden continues to thrive while we thoughtfully prepare for the future.
Looking ahead, we are excited to begin the search for Stonewall’s next executive leader through our partnership with DSG | Koya, led by Paul Towne. This process is about much more than simply filling a position. It is about identifying the person who can help nurture the next chapter of Stonewall’s development and realizing the possibilities that lie ahead. It is also an opportunity for us as a community to reflect on our aspirations and imagine what our shared garden can look like together in the years to come.
As my term as Board President comes to a close later this year, I find myself reflecting on what leadership really means.
The truth is that no one person defines an organization like Stonewall Columbus. Presidents, executive directors, board members, staff, and volunteers each contribute during their season of service. Then, with gratitude and confidence, they make room for new perspectives and new leadership. Though the garden may change, plants and ideas that once made sense make way for new ones to be planted, through the changing of seasons that is how true progress is made. It’s really not the end of a story, but rather, it is how organizations remain vibrant for decades.
While my season as President may be ending, my commitment to Stonewall Columbus and this community is not. I look forward to watching the next chapter unfold alongside all of you, cheering on future leaders, supporting the organization’s mission, and celebrating the growth that comes from the seeds we are planting today. If the past 45 years have taught us anything, it is that each generation leaves Stonewall stronger for the next.
The reality is that our future will be shaped by hands we may not yet know. However, our responsibility today is to continue cultivating possibilities, investing in people, and caring for this organization so that those who follow us inherit something even stronger than what we received.
As we celebrate 45 years of service and look toward the future, I have never been more optimistic about what is possible. Thank you for being part of our community’s collective garden, thank you for helping it grow, and thank you for continuing to tend it with us in the seasons ahead.
Sincerely,
K Terry Smith (They/Them)
President, Board of Trustees
