A smiling woman stands in front of a backdrop made of vertical rainbow-colored streamers or fabric. Large white letters spelling "GAY AF" are prominently displayed above her. — Nadine Smith at the Equality Florida gala in St. Petersburg, Florida in May 2022. Credit: Nick Cardello / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Nadine Smith, co-founder and executive director of Equality Florida for the past 28 years, is stepping down from the LGBTQ+ organization to become president and CEO of Color of Change, a national civil rights organization.

Smith will be succeeded by Stratton Pollitzer, the organization’s co-founder and deputy director, according to a press release issued Monday by Equality Florida.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to help build Equality Florida into the most impactful statewide LGBTQ organization in the nation. Together, we have created a movement that has changed laws, saved lives, and inspired hope across our state, and served as a blueprint nationwide,” Smith said in a written statement.

“I step into this next chapter carrying Florida with me. I will remain rooted in this state, and my commitment to Equality Florida is forever. We’ve told the country for years that Florida is the front line, and you don’t abandon the front line in a fight. I’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with this team and this movement.”

Politizer co-founded Equality Florida with Smith in the 1990s. The organization says that under the two of them, Equality Florida has grown into the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the state, with nearly half a million members. He says the group was built on the principle “that no single person defines our movement.”

“From the beginning, Nadine and I created an organization designed to endure, to stress-test leadership, to build a deep bench of talent, and to ensure that our team could thrive through any challenge,” he said. “We have never been stronger, more unified, or more ready for the fights ahead.”

Smith will begin her new duties with Color of Change on Jan. 12, 2026.

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This article appears in Nov. 13 – 19, 2025.