Sarah Kate Ellis

NAVIGATING THE MEDIA MAZE. If there is one trait that defines Sarah Kate Ellis, it is her identity as a “builder.” This skill has been the cornerstone of her career, helping her navigate the tumultuous media landscape, from Condé Nast to Time Inc., during the rise of the internet. It culminated in her becoming President and CEO of GLAAD in 2014, where she led the transformation of the organization in the digital world.

No one is more surprised by Sarah Kate’s career journey than herself. Growing up on Staten Island, a red borough, as a lesbian, she admits she had no real vision for her future after college, in part down to a lack of queer role models. “I literally thought that I would graduate college and kind of fall off a cliff,” she recalls. Her parents—her dad a Republican and her mom a Democrat—provided a childhood filled with discussions on politics and power dynamics.

After college in upstate New York, Sarah Kate moved back to the city she loved, New York, where she interviewed at Condé Nast. She was hired for the relaunch of House & Garden magazine, an experience that immersed her in both the editorial and business sides of media. Her career saw her move from New York Magazine, then to InStyle, and finally to Real Simple, where she stayed for nearly 13 years. “Real Simple was about acknowledging how busy and unbalanced women’s lives can be, and how do you make their lives easier?” she explains. “What I loved about it most was that it felt mission-driven.”

EMBRACING NEW VENTURES. In 2014, with a wife and young twins, Sarah Kate’s perspective shifted to wanting to change the world for the better. When GLAAD called looking for a President, she saw it as an opportunity to use her media experience to drive social change. Under her leadership, GLAAD has experienced enormous growth, expanding its influence across the media, entertainment, and business worlds. “The vision I have for GLAAD is: Where is culture being created and influenced? And making sure that we’re there,” she says. This approach led to significant engagements, such as a sit-down meeting with the Pope to discuss decriminalization and the blessings of same-sex marriage.

GLAAD’s operating budget has grown from $3.9M in 2013 when Sarah Kate began her tenure to $29.7M in 2023. The staff size has nearly tripled under her leadership, reflecting the organization’s expanding role and impact. Sarah Kate has overseen the launch of innovative programs such as the Social Media Safety Program, which collaborates with social platforms to better protect LGBTQ users and creators. Additionally, the recent launch of GLAAD Gaming demonstrates her commitment to creating more LGBTQ representation across video games and safer spaces for LGBTQ gamers.

THE FUTURE OF PRIDE. Reflecting on recent events where big brands faced backlash during Pride month, Sarah Kate admits she was disappointed that many ultimately “backed down to bullies,” revealing the work that still needs to be done. “When you back down to bullies, you seed your ground,” she says. Despite these setbacks, she remains optimistic about the future, particularly with Gen Z’s approach to the queer community and many businesses’ commitment to year-round pride. “This future generation, they are 40% LGBTQIA+, and 80% allies to the community,” she notes.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Sarah Kate advises being bold but emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience and bringing them along on the journey. “You have to understand the audience you’re in front of, the moves you’re making, and how it’s going to impact them,” she explains.

Reflecting on her own career, she shares, “When I moved to Real Simple magazine, I realized that I wanted to be a leader, and in order to do that, I had to be truthful. I couldn’t play the pronoun game or dodge questions anymore. I had to be honest about who I was. I think being queer is a superpower because we have had to navigate so many things that other people don’t. It’s made us smarter business people, more agile, and more determined.”