Barbara Poma the founder and executive director of the onePulse Foundation has stepped down from her leadership role in the not-for-profit which was established following the June 12, 2016 tragedy at the Pulse nightclub.
OnePULSE released the following statement this week:
In the completion of a planned leadership transition that began in 2021, Barbara Poma, Founder of the onePULSE Foundation, has stepped down from her position at the Foundation. Poma recently served as executive director before pivoting to focus her work on the Foundation’s national fundraising efforts as part of a new leadership structure.
Poma was succeeded as executive director by Deborah Bowie in May 2022. Poma co-founded Pulse nightclub in 2004, and the club became globally recognized as a joyful gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community and their families.
The Foundation is grateful to Barbara for her many contributions, and commitment to onePULSE, and for being a lifetime advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, the onePULSE Foundation Board of Trustees recently updated its three-year strategic plan to better position the Foundation as it continues to drive forward the project that will honor and preserve the legacy of those killed and create a sanctuary of hope. The Foundation
plans to provide updates to the project’s progress and next steps in the run-up to the annual Pulse Remembrance Week in June.
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The City Council of the City of West Hollywood presented a Key to the City to Poma, Pulse kat a regular teleconference meeting of the West Hollywood City Council on Monday, February 7, 2022.
Prior to the city council meeting, the West Hollywood City Council also issued two Proclamations on Sunday, February 6, 2022 – one to Barbara Poma, and one to the onePULSE Foundation – in recognition of their dedication and commitment to preserving the legacies of lives lost at the Pulse nightclub mass shootings. The proclamations were given by council member John Erickson during a drag brunch fundraiser at Rocco’s WeHo. Mayor Lauren Meister presented Poma with the Key to the City.
