Christopher Verdugo (he/him) served as Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus from 2016 to 2026. During his tenure, he helped transform SFGMC into an internationally recognized force for social justice through music, increased the organization’s annual budget fivefold, and opened the Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first U.S. facility of its kind dedicated to queer arts. He also led the Chorus on its historic Lavender Pen Tour through the Deep South, using music to build bridges in communities facing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Before joining SFGMC, Chris was Executive Director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, where he expanded the organization’s budget, artistic profile and educational programming in Los Angeles high schools. He has served on the Board of Directors of Chorus America and collaborated with advocacy organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, Equality California, GLAAD, Bienestar and Queer Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival.

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