The Texas Organizing Project announced its first change at the executive director level, with Ginny Goldman stepping down and Michelle Tremillo, the current managing director, taking the helm.
Goldman has served as the founding executive director of the organization since 2009. She is stepping down as executive director on June 30, and will stay on staff as director of strategic initiatives through the end of 2016.
“Not many people get to wake up each morning and dedicate themselves to fighting for justice while working for an organization that is deeply committed to taking its direction from grassroots leaders,” Goldman said. “It’s been a gift and an honor to lead TOP for the last six years. I did so arm in arm with Michelle and a fabulous team that remains in place in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston—each and every one rising to the challenge to take TOP to the next level.”
Since our founding, TOP has built a powerful grassroots organization in the most challenging state in America, growing from a team of seven to a staff of 35, from a group of 50 grassroots leaders to a base of 122,000 members and supporters with an annual budget of $3 million and from an initial program targeting just 4,000 voters to activating more than 100,000 infrequent voters of color. It has coupled authentic community organizing with high-level political strategy and has delivered meaningful change in the lives of everyday Texans, including securing millions towards historic affordable housing agreements and neighborhood investments, curbing the school-to-prison pipeline, and launching community schools and economic security campaigns while also dramatically growing the electorate to reflect the true majority of our state.
Tremillo, a co-founder of TOP, will assume the executive director position on July 1. A fourth generation Tejana, Tremillo was born and raised on the Westside of San Antonio, one of the very communities where TOP members live. She is the daughter of a single mother who grew up in public housing, worked hard get herself to Stanford, and has spent her entire adult life fighting for racial and economic justice for her community.
“It’s always been our intention for the leadership of TOP to reflect the people of our membership,” Goldman said. “It is time for TOP to be led by a woman of color who will make sure that the organization is stronger than ever, and that the communities we represent have the power they deserve and the seat at the table they need. I am more hopeful than ever for the future of this organization, our membership and Texas with Michelle at the helm.”
Congressman Joaquin Castro added: “I am excited to know that TOP has chosen Michelle Tremillo to be their next executive director. She has deep roots as a community organizer, and I know first-hand how committed she is to issues of social and economic justice. Michelle is an incredibly effective leader, and I look forward to continuing to work with her and the rest of the team at TOP.”
According to Tremillo, “It has been a joy to work alongside Ginny all these years, and I feel truly blessed that TOP’s board has chosen me as its next executive director to carry on the great work we are doing in Texas. TOP will always be successful because our members are the heart of the organization and will continue to drive our agenda forward. They are bold and are leading the change we need in Texas from the major metro areas outward, and I am honored to work for them.”
Goldman will stay on staff for the remainder of 2016 serving as the director of strategic initiatives. These initiatives include:
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Continuing to serve Houston communities by working with Mayor Turner on strategies to advance social and economic justice policy reforms;
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Supporting TOP’s lead staff coordinating electoral programs to increase voter turn out and win elections this fall; and
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Supporting TOP’s programs to train women leaders to serve on local boards and commissions.
