The term for the newly elected executive team of New Hope Celebrates will begin on Aug. 1, according to a news release from the nonprofit organization that promotes the LGBTQ+ community in New Hope, Pennsylvania; Lambertville, New Jersey; and the surrounding area.
Rich Lucarini will take the helm as president, Quinten Darling is the new vice president of events, and Kelly Beck-Kay will take on the role of vice president of governance.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of President at New Hope Celebrates,” Lucarini said in the release. “I look forward to working more closely with our dedicated board members, volunteers, and partners to expand our reach and deepen the impact we make in New Hope, Lambertville, and surrounding communities. Together, we will celebrate the rich LGBTQ+ history of our river towns and champion a brighter future rooted in creativity, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.”
New Hope and Lambertville sit across from each other on the banks of the Delaware River.
Lucarini has served on the NHC board of directors since 2023 as vice president of finance and is an accounting and finance professional and controller at Gilmore & Associates, according to the release. He has helped strengthen NHC’s financial foundation while supporting its continued growth and as president will lead the organization into its next phase during his three-year term, the release said.
Darling joined NHC’s board in 2025 after volunteering with the organization and brings energy, creativity and a passion for creating memorable experiences that celebrate community and inclusion, the release said.
The lifelong Bucks County, Pennsylvania, resident and former Miss New Hope Celebrates 2024 holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management and currently works in nonprofit management and event planning, combining his love of hospitality with his commitment to community engagement, the release said. He is excited to bring his passion and enthusiasm to continue the incredible work of NHC while helping elevate the event experience and welcome even more people to the vibrant community he loves, the release continued.
Beck-Kay brings continuity and extensive nonprofit leadership experience to the executive team and has long been a dedicated advocate for NHC and its mission as a powerful force for inclusion, visibility and community, the release said.
“The work we do matters, and I am committed to helping ensure that our leadership structure, policies, and processes continue to strengthen that mission for years to come. I care deeply about this organization and want to strengthen the structures that allow it to thrive,” Beck-Kay said in the release.
Stepping down as president from 2022 to 2026 is Melissa Patterson, who also served as vice president of finance from 2019 to 2022. Patterson will remain on the board through the end of the year to facilitate a smooth leadership transition and ensure continuity for the organization, the release said.
“When I joined the NHC Board seven years ago, I never imagined the journey ahead. Serving New Hope Celebrates for the past seven years in executive leadership, including the last four as President, has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Patterson said in the release.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what our Board, volunteers, partners, champions, and community have accomplished together. Together, we have grown New Hope Celebrates into a stronger organization while expanding our impact and preserving the history that makes this community so special. We have reached milestones that once seemed impossible, and I’m excited to see where New Hope Celebrates goes next under Rich and the new Executive Team. The next chapter for New Hope Celebrates’ story is just beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.”
The executive team will continue to work alongside the board, which includes Shelby Bacorn, Jason Chun, Ann Major, Michael Raymond and Lisa Schiller.
The board in the release thanked Roger Green, Ryan Segura and Jaye McNeill for their dedicated service and summarized their contributions: Green brought thoughtful leadership and unwavering support to the board during his tenure, contributing to the continued growth and success of the organization. Segura served as vice president of events and played an instrumental role in producing many of the organization’s signature events, creating memorable experiences for thousands of residents and visitors. McNeill served as Pride Fair chair for the past two years and helped the organization’s communications efforts through website updates and community outreach initiatives. The board said it is grateful for their time and commitment to advancing NHC’s mission.
Over the coming months, the board will look to fill the roles of vice president of finance and vice president of communications, which was previously held by Paul Kokesh, according to the release.
