Article on leader was offensive

To the Editor:

Although I am not a close colleague of Sara Meléndez, president of Independent Sector, I am personally offended by your August 22 article “Departure of Nonprofit Coalition’s Leader Raises Questions About Future.” The opening sentence is especially disturbing, describing Ms. Meléndez as “the sometimes controversial president” of Independent Sector.

When she was appointed eight years ago, The Chronicle of Philanthropy was critical of her as “affirmative action gone too far.” Now you report comments from unnamed sources that she hasn’t done enough? I find it shameful for you to publish rumors and comments that are not attributable under a first subheading of “Concerns Over Leadership.” Later in the article, the quoted sources clearly refute these assertions. Grant Williams’s reporting is biased and shoddy.

In my opinion and that of many others, Independent Sector has become much more of a relevant and dynamic organization under the leadership of Sara Meléndez. Its stand on the estate tax was courageous, and the sector is much stronger because of her. She has brought in many new members, and provided more inclusive leadership for Independent Sector. I am willing to go on record in support of her.

After eight years of accomplishments, it is quite acceptable for a CEO to step down, especially to a funded position at a prestigious university center. Instead, The Chronicle’s article insinuates that there is something sinister about the arrangement.

Is it because she is a woman, Hispanic, or because she is short that Sara Meléndez is “sometimes controversial”? I hope that The Chronicle would be more responsible and respectful of the fine leadership our field has to offer.

Kimberly Otis
President and Chief Executive Officer
Women & Philanthropy
Washington, D.C.

Editor’s note: In both its April 19, 1994, story on the appointment of Sara Meléndez as president of Independent Sector and its August 22 story on her pending departure, The Chronicle quoted both supporters and critics of Ms. Meléndez. In the 1994 story, it was a nonprofit lobbyist — not The Chronicle itself — who said of her appointment, “This is affirmative action run amok.”