On December 15, Laura Paisley Beck became the new Executive Director of OPEN Foundation, an LGBTQ+ business and professional networking organization in Madison. This change is marking a new era for the organization, which has come with expanded programming, and a renewed emphasis on collaboration and community wellness, and efforts to reshape both its internal structure and outward-facing initiatives.

Notable Changes at OPEN Foundation:

• New Leadership and Organizational Structure

A more collaborative internal model. The traditional board has been reimagined as an “advisory team,” with members now expected to take on active roles through smaller working groups. According to Beck, this hands-on approach has reportedly helped many participants feel more directly connected to the organization’s mission.

• Brand Refresh and Website Redesign

  OPEN has undergone a comprehensive rebrand, including a fully redesigned website. These updates aim to better reflect the leadership’s current priorities and make its resources more accessible to the community.

• Stronger Focus on Collaboration

  A key philosophical shift is a deeper commitment to partnership over competition, including prioritizing outreach to other nonprofits, seeking ways to share resources, and strengthen collective impact across overlapping missions.

• Restructured Signature Events

  OPEN’s major annual events are being reimagined:

  • Career fairs will now be held in both spring and fall and will expand to incorporate workshops and professional development opportunities.
  • The annual gala is being separated from the fall career summit and redesigned as a more interactive fashion-show-style winter event with more fluid social spaces. This separation also provides flexibility, ensuring that challenges affecting one event won’t disrupt others.

• Expanded Wellness and Accessibility Efforts

  Recognizing the importance of inclusive environments, OPEN is introducing quiet “wellness spaces” at career events for attendees who may feel overstimulated. Additional programming will include sessions on breathing techniques, art therapy, and other supportive practices.

• Growth of the TRANSFORM Program

  OPEN’s career development initiative for transgender and nonbinary individuals is receiving significant financial investment and visibility. The program is expanding and will be offering stipends for mentors and coaches. A new graduation ceremony will celebrate participants’ achievements, underscoring the program’s impact.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

• More Community-Centered Events

  The organization is also launching more informal gatherings, such as “Queer Empowerment Hours,” designed to blend networking with community-building in relaxed, engaging settings.

Looking Ahead

Taken together, these changes point to an OPEN Foundation that is leaning into adaptability, transparency, and care. By centering collaboration, investing in marginalized community members, and rethinking how people gather and connect, the organization is positioning itself not just as a professional resource, but as a hub for belonging.