Promotion Marks First Ever CEO for Regional LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
(PHILADELPHIA) – Independence Business Alliance (IBA) Board President Brian McGinnis announced today that the IBA Board has voted to promote Zachary Wilcha, the organization’s long-serving Executive Director, to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Wilcha, who made history as the IBA’s first ever full-time staff employee upon his hire in 2015 now makes history again as the IBA’s first ever CEO—in recognition of his many contributions to the LGBTQ+ business community in the Greater Philadelphia, South Jersey, and northern Delaware areas.
“We are thrilled to announce this well-earned promotion.” said McGinnis, “Since joining the Board in 2017, I have seen firsthand Zach’s passion for advocating for LGBTQ+ businesses and their interests. In the face of unprecedented challenges, he brings a mix of passionate advocacy, steadfast dedication, and a keen vision for the future. I have no doubt Zach will prove an excellent CEO for the IBA, for our members, and for the LGBTQ+ community.”
“Zach has consistently shown that he has the work ethic, the strategic know-how, and the thoughtful community engagement that are essential for our organization,” added IBA Board Vice-President Gregory DeShields. “His promotion to CEO is a reflection of not only his excellent work but is also a statement of intent in how the IBA will lead the way on LGBTQ+ business issues for years to come.”
The IBA is the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce for the Greater Philadelphia region and is the official affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) for Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania; Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Burlington, and Mercer Counties in New Jersey; and New Castle County in Delaware.
“This job has been the opportunity of a lifetime to work with and for the LGBTQ+ community and expand the breadth and perception of what chambers of commerce can do for communities,” Wilcha remarked. “I’m honored and humbled by my Board’s and membership’s trust in me, and I’m energized to take the IBA’s work of advocating, educating, and connecting to the next level.”
Wilcha’s decorated tenure as Executive Director has overseen many excellent achievements including:
- Launching a regional Diverse Chambers Coalition, of which the IBA is a flagship member;
- A strong dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, including the organization’s successful Intersections program;
- The launch of IBA’s first-in-the-nation TransWork program;Successfully steering the organization through the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Providing consistent excellence in advocacy for and services to LGBTQ+ business in the region; and
- Significant growth of the IBA to record numbers of overall members, members officially NGLCC-certified as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBT-BEs), revenue, and organizational reach and influence.
Wilcha’s promotion to CEO comes as the IBA is in the process of hiring an Operations Coordinator and a Transwork Administrator and as the organization undertakes a long-term strategic planning mission involving the Board, IBA membership, and key community stakeholders.
Brian McGinnis, IBA Board President
Greg DeShields, IBA Board Vice President