OPEN Foundation was established in 2009 as the Out Professional and Executive Network, sparked by founder Jim Erickson’s realization that openly LGBTQ+ professionals were almost invisible in local leadership spaces. What began as a small lunch meetup quickly grew into a vital network for LGBTQ+ business leaders in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2022, we formalized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the fiscal sponsorship of the Center for Community Stewardship. Since then, we’ve expanded our mission to focus on career development, mentorship, and economic empowerment for LGBTQ+ people, with a special emphasis on supporting trans and femme job seekers as they build stable, thriving futures.