Zoraya Hightower

As Senior Director of Finance and Operations, Zoraya oversees the systems and structures that ensure Outright is effective, irresistable, and accountable from the inside out! As a part of the Senior Leadership team, Zoraya shares in the responsibility for ensuring that our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, and Queer Ethic and Guiding Principles are aligned in the implementation of strategies to accomplish our vision and mission. Zoraya supports Outright’s Finance & Operations team that keeps us accountable to our values by caring for our team as well as tracking and deepening our impact.

With a decade of experience in organizational and program leadership, she brings a steady hand and visionary approach to managing budgets, operations, and teams — especially during times of growth and transformation. Trained as an economist and environmental policy analyst, Zoraya uses her love of numbers to support collective liberation - from impact data to dollars. 

As former Burlington City Councilor, Zoraya brings deep insight into supporting diverse communities and working collaboratively to move bold visions forward. And yes — her genuine love of building strong, sustainable systems is a huge bonus to help Outright run smoothly and continue to uplift LGBTQ+ youth across Vermont. Heck yeah!

Zoraya has a decade of experience in organizational and program leadership. Her past roles include Managing Director at Nature for Justice, Executive Director of the Peace & Justice Center, and Innovation Manager at Resonance Global. 

When she’s not working on the next budget, HR policy, or participatory facilitation, Zoraya can be found doing all of the outdoorsy things that Vermont has to offer, playing board games or book clubbing with friends, and cuddling her kitty Paka and pup Philo.