When Richard Burns stepped down in 2009 after 22 years as executive director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York, he knew one thing: although he loved the work, its relentless nature was not something he wanted to repeat. Then he did just that. Again and again.

After two years at the Arcus Foundation working with the late Urvashi Vaid ’83, Burns agreed to serve as interim head of the Stonewall Community Foundation in 2011. Since then, as an interim executive director, Burns has shared his experience in running social justice nonprofits with 10 organizations, including Lambda Legal and the Drug Policy Alliance. Currently, he’s interim executive director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), where he served as president of the founding board of directors from 1978 to 1986. “Moments of executive transition can be moments of extreme vulnerability,” says Burns, whose typical stint at an organization is about 10 or 11 months. “My job is to listen and stabilize and work with the organization’s stakeholders, to make decisions that will help set the next leader up for success.”

What changed his mind about continuing to do this rigorous work? “Directing the LGBT Community Center during the terrible years of the AIDS crisis and the virulent homophobia of the time was my mission. I feel very lucky to have been on the front lines, making a difference,” says Burns, who is also a founder and board chair of the American LGBTQ+ Museum in New York. “Now, I can have impact in a surgical way without the long-term commitment. I get to work with dedicated, inspiring activists and pass down the lessons of my generation. I’m a lucky guy.”