Matt Maggiacomo Stepping Down from the HPA
After 13 years, Executive Director Matt Maggiacomo is parting ways with the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA), the fandom-driven activist organization behind such campaigns as Not in Harry’s Name and Accio Books.
Maggiacomo made the announcement in an email sent to the Harry Potter Alliance’s mailing list on June 6, which was confirmed in a tweet sent by the Harry Potter Alliance.
After 13 years with the HPA, our beloved Executive Director Matt Maggiacomo is stepping down & passing the torch. Matt has had an immeasurable impact on the HPA & our worldwide community. Matt, we are forever grateful & in awe. ❤️⚡️ https://t.co/CjYQDbHmht @whompingwillows pic.twitter.com/Us6jRTRHdG
— Fandom Forward (@FandomForward) June 7, 2019
In his message, Maggiacomo wrote that he would be leaving the HPA as Executive Director at the end of June and passing the position on to Katie Bowers. Bowers, previously the Campaigns Director for the organization, “[will] serve as Managing Director of the HPA while the Board of Directors begins an official Executive Search in coming weeks.”
Maggiacomo explained that his decision to step down from the HPA came in the wake of “our current global context.”
My willingness to step down in this moment is an act of recognition that my founder’s perspective may represent a strategic limitation for the HPA. My intent is to make room for someone who can bring new energy and vision to our organization’s leadership, and I honestly can’t wait to find out who that new leader is! My #1 recommendation is Hermione Granger, but I think she’s a little busy with her political career at the moment.
He added that he will continue to advise Bowers and others involved with the HPA, noting that he was also excited to channel his energy into new projects.
We wish Matt Maggiacomo all the best in his future endeavors! For more information about the Harry Potter Alliance, you can visit its website here.