A scathing report by the New York Times has raised questions about the lavish spending habits of GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, who has been accused of using the non-profit organization’s funds for personal expenses, including a Swiss chalet rental and home office renovation.
According to the report, Ellis spent nearly $500,000 to rent a seven-bedroom chalet in Switzerland for a week, where she and GLAAD staff attended the World Economic Forum in Davos. She also billed the organization for approximately $18,000 for a home office renovation at her Long Island residence, which included a new chandelier.
Additionally, the report found that Ellis took more than 30 first-class flights over an 18-month period, and that GLAAD picked up a $60,000 tab for airfare and accommodations for Ellis and GLAAD COO Darra Gordon to attend the Cannes Lions advertising summit in France.
Ellis’s base salary for the fiscal year ending in 2022 was $576,000, according to publicly available financial records. The report has sparked criticism of Ellis’s spending habits, with some sources suggesting that they are more in line with those of a for-profit company than a non-profit organization.
GLAAD has responded to the report, accusing the Times of running a “hit piece” in retaliation for the organization’s criticism of the newspaper’s coverage of transgender issues. The organization has also blasted reporter Emily Steel, who wrote the article, for signing a letter last year that criticized GLAAD’s concerns about the Times‘ coverage of transgender people.
The report has sparked a war of words between GLAAD and the Times, with the organization accusing the newspaper of trying to discredit it. However, the Times has stood by its reporting, saying that it is committed to holding non-profit organizations accountable for their spending habits.
The controversy has raised questions about GLAAD’s priorities and its use of donor funds. The organization has been a favorite charity of Hollywood elites and studios, which have showered it with money and prestige. However, the report has sparked concerns that GLAAD’s leadership may be more focused on luxury spending than on advocating for LGBTQ issues.
