The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and The Chan National Queer Arts Center in June appointed Lane Sugata as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective August 24, 2026. Selected through a North American search conducted with Arts Consulting Group, Sugata will serve an initial two-year term. They succeed Christopher Verdugo, who is stepping down after a successful 10-year tenure and will consult during the transition to prepare the chorus for its upcoming 49th season. Sugata is also the first out nonbinary individual appointed to serve as CEO of the SFGMC.
SFGMC Board Chair Tom Paulino said, “The word the Board of Directors would use to describe Lane is: visionary. Lane’s comprehensive, data-informed approach to problem solving coupled with their person-centered leadership style make for a potent combination that will prove most effective as the next Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Lane’s transformative work with Dance/NYC, and, most recently, the Ford Foundation—uplifting and collaborating with marginalized communities—informs their strategy for positioning The Chan National Queer Arts Center as a hub for innovative and inspiring partnerships with artists of all disciplines throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. With Lane at the helm of this next chapter in SFGMC’s story, I am thrilled to introduce our community to the next leader who will meet this moment in our history and shepherd the mission of this institution to new and greater heights.”
Sugata, in turn, said, “The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus sits uniquely at the intersection of artistry, activism, and community—creating not only beautiful music, but refuge, visibility, and hope for generations of LGBTQ people. At a moment of heightened division and attack, I see tremendous opportunity for the chorus to expand its role as a force for free expression and community resilience—and to shape a more courageous and connected future. This role brings together so many parts of my life and work: my roots in the Bay Area arts community, my commitment to LGBTQ justice, and my belief in the power of culture to move people, build belonging, and inspire action. I’m deeply honored to join this extraordinary organization and excited to help shape an ambitious next chapter for the chorus and for queer cultural life in San Francisco and beyond.”
SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg noted, “Getting to know Lane has been an absolute joy, and I can’t wait for our community to experience the vision, heart, and energy they bring to this role. Lane’s extraordinary leadership and deep commitment to artists, equity, and community will help propel the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus into an exciting new chapter. They are bold, magnetic, deeply collaborative, and unafraid to dream big. I truly believe great things are ahead for SFGMC!”
As the organization’s leaders mentioned, Sugata brings extensive experience in arts and philanthropy back to the Bay Area. While serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Ford Foundation, they managed more than $270 million in global grants to advance creativity, civic engagement, and LGBTQ justice. Previously, Sugata served as the Executive Director of Dance/NYC and currently serves on the boards of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. Sugata is a UC Berkeley graduate and former San Francisco Ballet student, so this appointment represents a major professional and personal homecoming.
Arts & Entertainment
Published on July 16, 2026
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