Lorri L. Jean Darrel Cummings Kathy Ketchum Jim Key Elizabeth M. Meisler Quentin O'Brien Joel Safranek Program Directors Jeff Bailey Robert Bolan, M.D. Roger Coggan Chris Cole Cecile Fernando Dylan Gailey Dean Goishi Hilary Hanft Tiffany Horton Jon Imparato Melanie Jones Joni Lavick Shari Lynn Suzanne E.U. Naputi Barbara Perlman Kevin Powers Curt Shepard
Lorri L. Jean is nationally recognized as one of the most seasoned and effective leaders in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender ("GLBT") civil rights movement. Jean currently serves as CEO of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, the world's largest GLBT organization with an annual budget exceeding $32 million dollars, a staff of over 200, and which serves more than a quarter million people every year. Immediately prior to her return, Jean spent two years as the Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Jean has been a lesbian activist for almost 25 years. She served as the lead plaintiff in the successful landmark lawsuit against Georgetown University to prohibit its discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. She also was the first openly gay or lesbian person in history to receive a top secret security clearance from the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1989, with her appointment as Deputy Regional Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA"), she became the highest-ranking openly gay or lesbian person in the Federal government. In 1993, Jean began her first six-year tenure at the helm of the Gay & Lesbian Center (to which she returned in June, 2003). She led the Center through a period of unprecedented expansion, dramatically increasing the number of clients and volunteers, the diversity and volume of services, the number of staff, and the size of the budget. She also oversaw the purchase and renovation of a $7 million facility and built the nation's first $10 million dollar endowment fund in support of a GLBT organization. During her tenure as executive director of NGLTF, Jean oversaw an organizational turnaround that brought the organization to financial solvency and increased the annual revenues to an all-time high of $5 million. Among other program accomplishments, she focused the organization's political efforts at the state and local level by building a field organizing department, which orchestrated the defeat of nearly all anti-GLBT ballot measures in the 2001 and 2002 election cycles. Prior to 1993, Jean spent ten years as an attorney with FEMA, including three years overseeing the disaster response and recovery operations of its largest region, where she was responsible for the management of a staff of 1,000 and a budget of more than $1 billion. Jean holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication from Arizona State University.
As Chief of Staff, Darrel Cummings works closely with senior management to ensure smooth day-to-day operations for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and holds final responsibility for the internal management of the organization. He also plays a leading role in directing the organization's external relations efforts, including its work in public policy advocacy, its participation in significant coalitions, its relationship with other community-based organizations, its private fund-raising initiatives and its efforts to obtain government funding. Darrel has worked in non-profit organizations for 25 years and has held numerous paid and volunteer positions in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. From 1993 to 1999, he served as the deputy executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Center and in that capacity served as the senior manager for all programs and related government affairs. During his tenure as deputy executive director, he oversaw the procurement of millions of dollars annually from all branches of government, the development of many new and innovative programs, and overall internal management of the Gay & Lesbian Center's program and policy efforts. Darrel also provided national advocacy leadership related to the HIV/AIDS and social service needs of the LGBT community. Before joining the Gay & Lesbian Center as chief operations officer in June 2003, Darrel served for two years as deputy executive director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and previously held upper-level management positions in several organizations representing the needs and rights of low-income people, women, consumers and the LGBT community.
As Chief Administrative Officer, Kathy Ketchum oversees Human Resources, Volunteer Resources, Cultural Arts programming, labor relations, and oversees the director of facilities in maintaining facilities and security for all of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's sites. Prior to joining the Gay & Lesbian Center in 1994, Kathy spent 17 years with Pacific Bell in various management positions in the areas of Human Resources, Finance, Engineering, Operations, Marketing and External Affairs. She spent five years in real estate sales and management, and mortgage banking, and served on the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission for four years. As a Los Angeles Area native, Kathy received her BA in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She resides in Sherman Oaks with her partner, Gay. You can e-mail Kathy at: kketchum@laglc.org
As Chief Public Affairs Officer, Jim Key is a veteran activist and communications specialist responsible for all of the Center's internal and external communications, including community relations, media relations, publications, marketing and promotions. He re-joined the Center in 2004, having previously served as director of communications from 1994 - 1998. Most recently Key was a vice president with Edelman, the world's largest independent public relations firm, where he developed and managed communications programs for healthcare companies. Prior to joining Edelman he was corporate communications director for VaxGen, a biotechnology company that was the first to advance an AIDS vaccine to the final stage of clinical testing. He began his career in communications as a Marine Corps journalist and public affairs specialist. During his four years as director of communications for the Center, Key worked with local, national and international media to promote public understanding of the diverse GLBT community, heighten awareness of the issues affecting GLBT people, and promote the work and programs of the Gay & Lesbian Center. He also supported the organization's public policy department by working with the press to hold political officials publicly accountable for their actions or inactions on legislative and policy issues that affected GLBT people. Most notably, Key helped create public awareness of the growing incidence of HIV infection among gay youth by working with MTV, the major TV networks, the Los Angeles Times and other media to develop responsible stories that humanized the issue and the urgent need for the Gay & Lesbian Center's Pedro Zamora Youth HIV Program. When a White House report on youth and AIDS failed to specifically address gay youth, Key organized a news conference that resulted in national news coverage that pressured health officials to address the issue. Key was also a leader in promoting public support for same-sex marriage by publicizing the first "Freedom to Marry" day in Los Angeles, generating supportive media coverage in print and broadcast media throughout the county. Key is a recipient of several public relations awards, including "Best Integrated Campaign - 1998" from Healthcare P.R. & Marketing News for the opening of the Center's Lambda Medical Group, "Best Newsletter" award of merit from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)Los Angeles for the Center's Vanguard and "Best New Media" award from PRSASan Diego for his work on behalf of Gateway computers. You can e-mail Jim at: jkey@laglc.org
Elizabeth Meisler, MBA, CPA, joined the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center as its chief financial officer in 2003. In that position, she oversees the Center's $33 million annual budget and more than 50 government contracts, as well as the financial operations of the Center's HIV medical clinic and pharmacy and other programs. She also supervises the Center's Information Technology Department. Liz served from 2000 to 2002 as chief financial officer for Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services, a 513-employee, Los Angeles non-profit organization. She was responsible for the agency's $33 million budget and for overseeing 65 contracts. Liz developed Vista's first budgeting software customized to accommodate its diversified client base. Her prior experience includes director of Accounting Operations for Virgin Entertainment Group, Inc., of Los Angeles; controller for Rightsideup, a division of AHL Services, Inc., of Van Nuys; controller for L.A. Gear, Inc. of Santa Monica and chief financial officer for Whitewing Labs, Inc., of Mission Hills, Calif. She served for four years with Arthur Andersen LLP as an experienced senior. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian from Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand, and an MBA from University of Southern California, Los Angeles. She became a Certified Public Accountant in California in 1994. You can e-mail Elizabeth at: emeisler@laglc.org
As Director of Health and Mental Health Services, Quentin O'Brien oversees operations of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Jeffrey Goodman HIV Special Care Clinic, Women's Health Program, Pedro Zamora Youth HIV Program, Mental Health Services, Sexual Health Program, HIV Testing and Counseling and Clinical Research Program and pharmacy. Prior to joining the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center in September 2002, Quentin served for more than 10 years in various positions with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), the second-largest health department in the United States, with more than 23,500 employees. His most recent appointment was as special assistant to the CEO of King-Drew Medical Center, where he worked to improve the efficiency of the major medical center, which serves an ethnically and culturally diverse population. During his tenure with DHS, Quentin also served as interim director of the Corporate Office of Human Resources Management and for four years as special assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Director. As a member of the DHS Public-Private Partnership team, Quentin developed and evaluated contracts for the provision of primary care to low-income uninsured residents of Los Angeles County. As assistant director of Planning and Policy Development for DHS Public Health, Quentin conducted a variety of studies to assess the health of the population of Los Angeles, assisted with a major population survey, initiated efforts to restructure the delivery of public health services and developed a community VISTA volunteer program. Quentin holds a bachelor's degree in Public Health from the University of California Los Angeles and a master's degree in Fine Arts from Yale University. You can e-mail Quentin at: qobrien@laglc.org
As director of Development, Joel Safranek oversees private fundraising for the Gay & Lesbian Center. A long-time community volunteer, Safranek previously served as the Center's director of Development from 1992 to 1998, during which time the organization's annual private and corporate funding grew from just over $1 million to nearly $9 million. He returned to the Center in a full-time position in February 2004. A native of Wisconsin, Safranek graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, then continued studies to earn an MA in economics and an MFA in fine arts. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1978, he has held leadership and consulting positions with a number of prominent local organizations. He served as executive director of Pasadena Arts Workshops (now the Armory Center for the Arts) and as assistant director of the $5 million Norris Cancer Center campaign at the University of Southern California. He later served as director of development for Children's Institute International and the Peregrine Fund, an international conservation organization. During Safranek's previous tenure as director of development at the Gay & Lesbian Center, he played a significant role in bringing the hugely successful California AIDS Ride (the nation's first AIDS Ride) to the Gay & Lesbian Center. In 1996, he undertook management of a $15 million capital/endowment campaign, which achieved more than $17 million in pledges and planned gift commitments and the opening of the 32,000-square-foot community centerVillage at Ed Gould Plaza. Total gift revenue exceeded $35 million during his six-year tenure. For six years prior to his return to the Center, Safranek provided consulting services for several leading organizations, including the Gay & Lesbian Center, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, the California Community Foundation, the UCLA AIDS Institute, the Family Pride Coalition and Being Alive. Previous consulting assignments include the Armory Center for the Arts, the Los Angeles Theatre Center, the Los Angeles Festival, the Museum of Flying, CalArts, Cleveland's Playhouse Square and the Peregrine Fund. Safranek served as volunteer chair of the Gay & Lesbian Center's annual black-tie Anniversary Gala and has served on the boards of Pasadena Art Workshops, L.A. Shanti and the local chapter of Outward Bound. You can e-mail Joel at: jsafranek@laglc.org
As the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's director of health education & prevention, Jeff Bailey oversees the organization's HIV prevention programs such as Positive Images, West Hollywood Life, and Man2Man in coalition with partner organizations all around the Greater Los Angeles Area. In addition, he oversees the Gay & Lesbian Center's Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention program and Crystal Clear. Prior to joining the Gay & Lesbian Center, Jeff worked at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) as the program manager for HIV prevention programs. A Los Angeles Area native, Jeff received his BA in History at UCLA, a graduate degree in secondary education at California State University, Northridge, and will complete a master's degree in public health (MPH) in May 2001. You can e-mail Jeff at: jbailey@laglc.org
Dr. Bolan joined the Gay & Lesbian Center's Health Services Department, as medical director of the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic in May 1996. He is also the director of HIV services for the USC's Department of Family Medicine and is an associate professor of Clinical Family Medicine at USC. Dr. Bolan has been involved with gay health issues since 1975. He was the Medical Director of the Gay Venereal Disease Clinic during his family medicine residency in Milwaukee from In 1979, Dr. Bolan moved to San Francisco where he began a private practice and became active in the Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights (BAPHR), the first Gay & Lesbian physician organization. From July 1983 to June 1984 he was simultaneously president-elect for BAPHR and the president and chairman of the board for the recently formed San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF). He continued with the AIDS Foundation until January 1986. The Foundation produced some of the earliest risk reduction education materials utilizing sophisticated market research surveys and professional advertising agencies. The Foundation became one of the important service organizations comprising the so-called "San Francisco Model" of HIV health care, social service delivery and education. In May 1992, the Foundation presented Dr. Bolan with its annual Leadership Award in recognition of his work during the early years of the epidemic in San Francisco. Through 1988, Dr. Bolan continued to serve in an advisory capacity to the San Francisco Health Department and the mayor's office on HIV/AIDS issues. From 1988 to 1995 Dr. Bolan was "retired" from the community organization and public health arenas as he devoted all of his professional energies to care for his HIV-infected patients. Since his arrival in San Francisco in 1979, his practice was predominately devoted to gay men and thus became heavily weighted to HIV medicine as the epidemic progressed. In early 1995 Dr. Bolan was recruited to join the Department of Family Medicine at USC as their Director of HIV Services. Although it was a very difficult decision to leave the San Francisco Bay Area and his patients and colleagues, he decided to do so. "The opportunity to teach in an academic environment creates a multiplier effect so that my work has more impact than one-by-one patient care alone," says Dr. Bolan. In 1996 he became Medical Director of the Jeffrey Goodman Clinic at the Gay & Lesbian Center. Of this responsibility he says, "This feels like the ultimate evolution of my professional career." Dr. Bolan is an avid bicyclist and is usually logging miles when not working. His life partner, Tim Strahl, is a corporate travel agent. They have been together since 1978. They live in Glendale with their two cats, India and Boxcar. You can e-mail Dr. Bolan at: rbolan@laglc.org
Roger Coggan has been director of legal services for the Gay & Lesbian Center since 1990. Since then, the numbers of staff, volunteers and projects have grown substantially and have been targeted toward communities previously underserved, including people of color and women. Roger manages volunteer attorneys and support staff and is responsible for fund-raising for the Legal Services Department, as well. Before joining the Gay & Lesbian Center, he was an attorney specializing in business and civil litigation for the law firms of Iwasaki, Thomas & Sheffield; Staitman & Snyder; and Brill & Hunt. Roger has also served as an arbitrator for the Uniform Arbitration Program of the Los Angeles Superior Court since 1981. Roger's community activities have included: LIFE Lobby, (co-chair, board of directors and executive committee); LIFE Institute, (board of directors); City of Los Angeles Police Commission (Hearing Examiner, Board of Rights and member of Disciplinary Systems Task Force); The Los Angeles Volunteerism Project (member of advisory committee); and the American Jewish Committee (member of advisory board). Roger holds a JD from USC and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. You can e-mail Roger at: rcoggan@laglc.org
Chris Cole has been director of AIDS/LifeCycle for both the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation since November, 2002. Cole directed AIDS Rides in Philadelphia and New York City before becoming National Director of the AIDS Rides for two years. Between working on the AIDS Rides and joining the Center to run the AIDS/LifeCycle, Chris ran MusiCares, a non-profit organization associated with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He also ran the western U.S. development efforts for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Cole is an alum of Cornell University. You can e-mail Chris at: ccole@laglc.org
As Controller for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Cecile is responsible for Accounting and financial functions of the Organization to ensure the financial integrity of the Center. This includes facilitating a team of 7 talented and committed individuals who support the Center in achieving its mission. She works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to plan and shape the financial future of the Center and implement strategies to achieve these goals. One important aspect of her work is managing the timing and processes of the annual independent audit as well as the month-end close. Prior to joining the Center, Cecile worked with Virgin Entertainment Group, Inc, a $300 million music retailer as their Accounts Receivable Manager from 1999 to 2003. She was responsible for the automation of the receivable system for 20 stores nationwide and implemented various design processes that helped in their streamlining efforts. Cecile's 20 plus years experience in Accounting consists of working in various management positions with Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, Universal Studios - Recreation group, Merisel, and Baker & Taylor Software Group. Cecile holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Accounting from St. Theresa's College in Manila, Philippines. You can e-mail Cecile at: cfernando@laglc.org
Dylan C. Gailey, Director of the Center's Youth Services Department, oversees the Kruks/Tilsner Transitional Living Program and the Jeff Griffith Gay & Lesbian Youth Center, programs that provide vital life-sustaining and life saving services for homeless and at-risk gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth ages 18 - 23. Gailey has devoted her more than 20 years of social services experience to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and joined the L.A. Center in 1984 as an intern with the Addiction Recovery program. In 1986 she became a full-time employee and since then served has served as director of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services as well as deputy director of finance for the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic. Gailey has served as chair of the L.A. County Gay & Lesbian Addiction Task Force, served on the AIDS Regional Board, and is a member of the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Alcoholism Professionals. Currently she is co-chair of the Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership. You can e-mail Dylan at: dgailey@laglc.org
Dean Goishi joined the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center as director of its California AIDS Clearinghouse in September 2003. Funded by the California Department of Health Services Office of AIDS Education and Prevention Programs, the California AIDS Clearinghouse produces and distributes HIV/AIDS education materials to approximately 1,000 California Department of Health Services grantees, community-based organizations, AIDS services organizations and health care providers throughout the state. Before joining the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Dean served for 2-1/2 years as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Office of AIDS Programs and Policy. In that position, Goishi analyzed long-term needs of the program and helped plan and prioritize the county's HIV prevention activities. Goishi served as director of the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention team from July 1993 to February 2001 and as project director for the Asian Pacific AIDS Education Project from March 1989 to June 1993. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. You can e-mail Dean at: dgoishi@laglc.org
As the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's director of facilities, Hilary Hanft is responsible for security, maintenance, safety and construction of all five sitesall 100,000 square feetof the Gay & Lesbian Center's buildings and properties. Hilary brings to her position years of experience in the skilled-trades world, a detailed knowledge of physical plant management, and "the know-how to fix just about anything." Prior to joining the Gay & Lesbian Center, Hilary worked for Alcoa Aluminum where she was the first female electrician on staff. During her 12-year tenure there, she wore a real tool belt, went to work at 4:30 a.m., and attended school at night for three years to earn her Journeyman status. She served as a union member on the joint UAW/Management Committee for Quality Improvement, developed and ran the QIP training program, and taught math skills to union employees who wanted to advance their careers. Hilary gained her solid management and sharp budgeting skills during her eight-year career in retail management at Robinson's department store. She began her involvement in the nonprofit sector as a Girl Scout, where she participated as a troop member, a camp counselor, and as an adult, on a camp development committee. She has been involved in the National Organization of Women (NOW), and for four years she served on the board of directors of the Women's Building, a feminist arts organization in Los Angeles. Her years of nonprofit experience have given Hilary a belief that, "if we try, we can change the world." Hilary graduated from the University of California at Davis. You can e-mail Hilary at: hhanft@laglc.org
Tiffany Horton is currently the Director of the Sexual Health Program at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC). LAGLC's Sexual Health Program is comprised of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, Pedro Zamora Youth Services, the HIV Counseling and Testing Services, and Partner Counseling and Referral Services. When Ms. Horton joined LAGLC in 1999 she assumed the responsibilities of coordinating one of the largest HIV testing programs in Los Angeles County. One of her main responsibilities was incorporating the Rapid HIV Testing Study into current LAGLC HIV counseling and testing procedures. For the past five years Ms. Horton has gained experienced and knowledge in rapid HIV counseling and testing technologies, incorporating HIV testing with STD testing, and HIV/STD integration in outreach settings. Ms. Horton has locally and nationally presented on LAGLC's Rapid HIV Testing experience and HIV and STD integration. Ms. Horton currently is one of the co-chairs for the Los Angeles County HIV Counseling and Testing Task Force. She also sits on several community task forces and committees throughout Los Angeles County. Prior to assuming responsibilities with L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, Ms. Horton was a Case Manager at AIDS Project Los Angeles and a volunteer for the Southern California HIV AIDS Hotline. You can e-mail Tiffany at: thorton@laglc.org
Jon made his professional acting debut at age 8 in his hometown, New York City. As an actor, he worked for twenty-five years on stage, and in film and television. He made the switch to producer in New York, where he shepherded theater productions for ten years. Included were two highly-acclaimed, award-winning shows in which he also starred: The Life of e.e. cummings and Irrevocably Yours, based on the lyrics and letters of Edna St. Vincent Millay. He also produced several shows for the West Side Art Theater in New York. After moving to Los Angeles, he became co-producer at the Tiffany Theater before leaving to join the staff of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. He spent seven years in the Youth Services Department as an HIV prevention specialist and outreach manager. He also served as a lobbyist for queer youth in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Jon was hired by the Gay & Lesbian Center in early 1998 as a consultant to help develop programming for The Village at Ed Gould Plaza and he joined the full-time staff when it opened in June 1998. When the Gay & Lesbian Center created its Cultural Arts Department in December 1999, Jon was tapped to become Director. The Village's Theater Program, which Jon created, has been tremendously successful, presenting such highlights as the West Coast premiere of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, Quentin Crisp's last L.A. appearances, Megan Mullally's L.A. concert debut, Kathy Griffin's return to stand-up comedy, and two seasons of L.A.'s Edge of the World Theater Festival. Victory Dance, the critically acclaimed solo show by writer/actress Jessica Litwak, is the program's sixtieth production in just over two years. You can e-mail Jon at: jimparato@laglc.org
In her position as director of Community Outreach and Education (COED) for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Melanie Jones oversees the operations of all COED programs, including Learning Curve, a comprehensive program of classes, workshops and special events designed specifically to serve the GLBT community; Career Center, David Bohnett CyberCenter, Family Services Program and Seniors Program, all located at the Center's Village at Ed Gould Plaza. Melanie joined the Gay & Lesbian Center staff in 1999 as Learning Curve coordinator, after serving for several years as a volunteer facilitator for the Center's Conversation Groups. She was named COED director in 2002. Prior to joining the Center staff, Melanie was a musician, touring, recording and performing onstage as a drummer with numerous musicians and bands, as well as her own all-female funk-rock-pop band, Taboo. She and her life partner, Ellen Zimmerman, celebrated their union in September 2003 with a moving ceremony that incorporated both Jones' Buddhist philosophy and Ellen's Jewish faith. You can e-mail Melanie at: mjones@laglc.org
Joni Lavick, MFT, is the director of mental health services at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. She oversees programs in HIV Counseling Services, Addiction Recovery, Family Domestic Violence, General Counseling, and Education & Traininga Gay & Lesbian Center internship training program. She is a subcontracted provider of psychotherapy through AIDS Project Los Angeles' (APLA) Home Health Program and she is a faculty member of UCLA's AIDS Mental Health Education and Training Program. Joni started working with People With AIDS (PWAs) in 1988 as a group facilitator at L.A. Shanti and at the Gay & Lesbian Center in 1991. In addition to a broad knowledge of the mental health issues addressed by persons with HIV, her specialties include working with dual-diagnosed clients and clients with sexual dependency. Joni is an experienced public speaker and has presented at many national and local conference venues. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times as well as many trade publications for psychotherapists. You can e-mail Joni at: jlavick@laglc.org
As director of Human Resources, Shari Lynn is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering a comprehensive and strategic Human Resources program in support of all departments and programs. She joined the Gay & Lesbian Center in 2002. Prior to joining the Gay & Lesbian Center, Shari was the HR Director for a small hospital in Northern California for over three years. She has an extensive research back ground, strong management experience, HR legal knowledge and recruiting experience. Shari's degrees are in Economics and Social Studies. You can e-mail Shari at: slynn@laglc.org
Suzanne oversees a program of more than 5,000 registered volunteers, 700 of whom regularly support more than 30 programs throughout the Center each month. In the last seven years, Center volunteers have contributed more than 450,000 hours of service worth close to $10 million. A Chamorro native of Guam, Naputi currently serves on the Board of Directors of Asian-Pacific Islanders for Human Rights (APIHR) and was the Center Staff Member L.A.C.E. (Lesbians Active in Community Empowerment) honoree in 1999. Prior to joining the Center in May 1995, Naputi was a senior staff assistant with the Office of the Governor's Policy and Communications Department on Guam before being designated to oversee the Guam Medical Referral Office in Los Angeles from 1992 - 1995. A former journalist with Gannet Newspaper's Pacific Daily News, from 1980-1985, Naputi also served for eight years as a reservist with the Guam Air National Guard. In her free time, Naputi takes on the persona of Suzanne Jian, a singer/songwriter, who has performed at several gay pride events and ASO benefits, in addition to a few "orientation-neutral" venues, and who has recently begun scoring and co-composing songs for independent film soundtracks with Digital PR as part of the music duo InDisguise. She also enjoys reading, foreign films, gardening with her significant other Racquel, and hanging out with pets Leon and Clio at home in Valley Glen. You can e-mail Suzanne at: snaputi@laglc.org
As director of information technology services, Kevin Powers is responsible for all of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's computer information, telecommunication and technology systems. He joined the Gay & Lesbian Center in 1998 and led the extremely successful effort to upgrade its information systems with the design and implementation of a state-of-the-art wide-area network. Prior to joining the Gay & Lesbian Center, Kevin spent ten years as a systems programmer and analyst for the Mobil Oil Corporation and the San Francisco Chronicle/Examiner. Kevin is a Microsoft certified systems engineer and earned his BS in computer systems management from Drexel University. You can e-mail Kevin at: kpowers@laglc.org
As Director of Government Relations, Curt Shepard is the Gay & Lesbian Center's liaison to elected officials and government agencies at the federal, state and local levels. Shepard's primary responsibility is to protect the government funding that accounts for the lion's share of the Center's budget, monies that support its model human services programs, along with identifying and securing new sources of public funds. Although immediately prior to joining the Center staff in May 2004, Shepard worked as a freelance screen and television writer, he was no stranger to GLBT movement work, having previously served as director of the Campus Organizing Project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. During his tenure at NGLTF, Shepard was instrumental in launching the National Consortium of Directors of GLBT Resources in Higher Education and co-authored, edited and produced the NGLTF Policy Institute's first official publication, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organizing: A Comprehensive Manual. Shepard's involvement with NGLTF also included two terms as a member of the organization's board of directors, on which he served as co-chair for two years. A native of Bend, Oregon, Shepard graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon in 1978 with a joint BA in political science and psychology. He earned his MA in higher education administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1981, and his Ph.D. in education from UCLA in 1989, where he later served in several administrative capacities, including opening the office that later became UCLA's GLBT Campus Resource Center. You can e-mail Curt at: cshepard@laglc.org
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