The Trevor Project, the nation's leading organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, has announced Thomas Sanchez, CEO and Co-founder of Social Driver,  as the new Board Chair. The Trevor Project's Board of Directors elected him as the new Board Chair earlier this year.

Thomas, who has been a board member since 2016, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this pivotal role. His journey from a rural upbringing on a farm in Missouri to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and a long-standing advocate for LGBTQ+ youth aligns with the organization's mission. His passion for community and putting people at the center is also reflected in Social Driver’s values. Thomas’s commitment to The Trevor Project over the last eight years is underscored by this appointment. 

“The Trevor Project has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ youth support for years, and I’m honored to help guide our work into the next chapter alongside CEO Jaymes Black. I would also like to congratulate our previous Chair, Julian Moore, on successfully leading our board for all these years. The Trevor Project’s new mission is more crucial than ever, and I’m committed to expanding our reach and ensuring every LGBTQ+ youth feels safe, seen, and supported,” shared Thomas.  

In his new position as Board Chair, Thomas will oversee the strategic direction of the organization and work closely with the executive team to further The Trevor Project's impact. His background as a software engineer and digital innovator, coupled with his experience on various Trevor Project committees, including marketing and communications, governance, and executive committee, is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the organization's digital outreach and crisis intervention services. He will also support the onboarding of The Trevor Project's new CEO, Jaymes Black.

"The Trevor Project is enormously lucky to welcome Thomas Sanchez into his new role as Chair of our Board of Directors. Thomas's passion for supporting LGBTQ+ young people, combined with his seasoned and steady leadership experience – both as part of our board and throughout his own successful career – will help bring Trevor's life-saving work to even greater heights,” said Jaymes. They expanded, reflecting on the future of The Trevor project, “In addition to welcoming Thomas into this new role, I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Julian Moore for his outstanding leadership as our previous Board Chair. We are grateful for Julian's years of service, and to have his continued leadership as a member of our board moving forward. As I get further acclimated to my own new role as CEO at The Trevor Project, I am excited to work alongside these powerful leaders to help create a world where all LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, seen, and loved exactly as they are."

Thomas’s professional journey, as an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur and innovator, uniquely equips him to support The Trevor Project's mission. With a long history of involvement with the organization, Thomas has consistently championed innovative approaches to expand The Trevor Project, including expansion into Mexico. His experience in leveraging technology for social good, combined with his understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, makes him an ideal leader to guide the organization's strategic direction and enhance its life-saving services.

"It has been an honor to lead The Trevor Project's Board of Directors as Chair for the past 2 years, and I am exceedingly grateful to have held this position in service of Trevor's mission to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people,” said Julian Moore, the outgoing Board Chair, “I am equally thrilled to welcome Thomas Sanchez as our new chair, and look forward to his leadership and partnership as I continue on the board, as Board Chair Emeritus. Thomas has been a critical voice and a powerful advisor in his eight years on our board, serving in a number of leadership roles and across various committees throughout his tenure. I cannot wait to see all that he accomplishes as he leads The Trevor Project's board through our next chapter."

This new role deeply resonates with Social Driver team members and reflects the company's values. Social Driver’s team is as supportive and excited about the appointment as the team at The Trevor Project, including seasoned team members who have been with Social Driver since Thomas first joined the board. 

"I couldn't be more proud of his appointment as Board Chair of The Trevor Project. This role is a testament to his unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ youth and his strong leadership. At Social Driver, two of our key values are to 'put people above everything else' and 'believe we can do better,' both of which are exemplified by our commitment to supporting The Trevor Project. Initiatives like our #loveSDdelivered campaign, where Social Driver's The Driver Foundation supports The Trevor Project each Valentine's Day, showcase how we blend creativity with compassion. Thomas's new role will undoubtedly strengthen this partnership and inspire even more innovative ways for us to support LGBTQ+ youth. His dedication to this cause is not just professional; it's deeply personal and infectious, motivating our entire team to continually believe we can do better too," shared Paige Howarth, VP of Creative Services at Social Driver, who has worked alongside Thomas for over a decade.

The #loveSDelivered campaign has become a hallmark of Social Driver's dedication to The Trevor Project and its mission. Each February, Social Driver creates a special Valentine's Day campaign, sending cards to team members, clients, and community partners, while making a donation to The Trevor Project. This initiative is part of Social Driver's broader philanthropic efforts through The Driver Foundation, which donates 1 percent of the company's annual revenues to charitable causes.

As Thomas steps into this new role, bringing his innovative approach and commitment to LGBTQ+ youth to the forefront, The Trevor Project team looks forward to a future of continued growth, innovation, and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ youth across the nation.