Nicole Verdes

Managing Director
(they/she)

Nicole Verdes is a passionate advocate and cultural leader dedicated to building bridges between communities through the power of arts, culture, and preservation. As the inaugural Managing Director of Lambda Archives since January 2024, Nicole has transformed her deep commitment to social justice and cultural preservation into action that prioritizes equity and access for historically marginalized histories and peoples.

Her dedication is evident in her service on the Executive Committee of the San Diego LGBT Community Center's Young Professionals Council, her role as Treasurer on the Steering Committee for Rising Arts Leaders San Diego, her work with Diversionary Theatre's Community Advisory Committee, and her board service with the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition.

Nicole's expertise in LGBTQ+ history and preservation extends beyond her archival work through her scholarly writing and national conference presentations. They have contributed book reviews focusing on LGBTQ+ community preservation and history, and have presented at conferences including the ALMS Conference in Berlin and the Creating Change Conference, sharing their knowledge on youth archival futures and ethical advocacy practices.

Recognized for her leadership in the field, Nicole has served on grant panels for the California Arts Council's Administrators of Color Fellowship initiative, supporting emerging leaders who reflect the diversity of California's communities.

Nicole holds a Master's Degree in Sociological Practice from Cal State San Marcos and is a graduate of the Western Archives Institute's course in Archival Study. She believes that preserving queer and trans stories today creates the foundation for a more inclusive tomorrow.