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Alana Jochum (she/her/hers) is an attorney and Executive Director of Equality Ohio. She received her B.A. in English and B.S. in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and has been passionately engaged in the fight for LGBTQ equality at the local, state, national, and international level for more than a decade.

Alana spent time in Mumbai, India volunteering with the Humsafar Trust, a nongovernmental organization working to advance LGBTQ equality in India. After returning home, she worked at United Way of Greater Cleveland and continued her LGBTQ volunteer work through the Human Rights Campaign.

Alana attended Cleveland Marshall College of Law where she served as Editor in Chief of the Cleveland State Law Review. She became an Associate at Squire Patton Boggs, LLP where she focused her legal practice on complex civil litigation, international law, product liability disputes and other commercial litigation. She also represented clients in habeas proceedings before the Sixth Circuit and at the District court level.

Alana left Squire in 2014 to work with Equality Ohio full time where she has the privilege of advocating for LGBTQ equality statewide. She also proudly serves as a Board member for the Equality Federation, a national organization focused on capacity building and support for statewide LGBTQ organizations across the country.

[email protected] Siobhan Boyd-Nelson (she/her/hers) joined Equality Ohio as the Development Director in 2018. She received her B.A. in Legal Communication from Howard University in 2002. She returned home to Columbus and earned her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2005. Her involvement in Columbus’ LGBTQ community began shortly thereafter and has included leadership positions on the boards of LinkOUT, Scarlet & Gay (the OSU GLBT Alumni Society), and the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation. Siobhan practiced law in the domestic, probate, and appellate fields before entering the nonprofit sector in 2012. At Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Siobhan served as the development and marketing manager before moving to Stonewall Columbus where she led the community center’s capital campaign. Siobhan is also a member of the Create Columbus Commission and a board member of both Black, Out, & Proud and Move United Church. At Equality Ohio, Siobhan is excited to strengthen LGBTQ philanthropy across the state and deepening our civic commitment to lived and legal equality.

[email protected] Gwen Stembridge (she/her/hers) comes to this work through a passion for bringing people together across barriers. In addition to being reared in a LGBTQ-affirming faith community in Atlanta and graduating from a women's college in South Carolina, she was compelled to serve as a fellow in the Interfaith Youth Core, the Episcopal Service Corps, and as an Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA. Since moving to Cleveland in 2011, she has worked with organizations such as Greater Cleveland Congregations, Trinity Cathedral, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, and Near West Theatre. She served as Director of Programs for an innovative partnership between HandsOn Northeast Ohio and the United Way of Greater Lorain County to building capacity to positively impact systems of education, health, and financial stability in the mixed urban, rural, and suburban county. Most recently, she served as Northeast Ohio Coordinator for Equality Ohio, managing community partnerships and municipal education and advocacy. She is thrilled with the opportunity to leverage her skills and passions as Statewide Civic Engagement Director and looks forward to expanding Equality Ohio's opportunities to educate Ohioans about their rights, build leaders, and forge paths to effective advocacy. She values the power of both hospitality and the arts as vehicles for moving hearts and minds.

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Maya Simek (she/her/hers) serves as the Legal Director at Equality Ohio, where she she has spent the past year developing and launching a state-wide legal clinic for the lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer (LGBTQ+) community. Ms. Simek further serves as a Clinical Law Professor and Co-Director of Case Western Reserve’s Health & Human Trafficking Clinic.

Ms. Simek focuses her practice on legal issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and human trafficking prevention and victim redress. Other areas of interest for Ms. Simek include community lawyering and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with social services, on the efficacy of legal practice. The focus on these areas of interest inspired Ms. Simek’s spearheading of a law clinic for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS engaging in case management services at the Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center in 2012.

Ms. Simek earned her J.D. in 2010 from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, her M.S.S.A in 2007 from Case Western Reserve’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, and her B.S. in 2000 from John Carroll University. Ms. Simek is admitted to the bar in Ohio and California. In addition, she is an Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision designation(LISW-S).

 

[email protected] Raisa Mathis (she/her/hers) joined Equality Ohio in September 2013 and is a recent grad of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She got her start in the movement as a student organizer on the One Bowling Green Campaign in 2010. Her experience with One BG ignited a fire and love for social justice work which led her to work as a volunteer on a few campaigns and issues until she earned a spot on the Equality Express Tour, a project of Equality Ohio in 2012.Immediately preceding her joining Equality Ohio, she worked as a fellow with the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce on a campaign to pass ENDA. Raisa is proud to devote her skills and talent to making Ohio a welcoming place for all who live, work and play here

[email protected] Kelley Fox (she/they) is a recent graduate of Ohio Northern University, where she received her B. A. in Literature and Creative Writing. She’s currently pursuing her Masters of Social Justice and Masters in Divinity at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio. Kelley got her start in 2016 and 2017, when she led the Out of the Darkness Walk in Ada, a fundraiser that focused on suicide awareness and prevention, as well as providing mental health resources through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In 2018, Kelley joined the arts journal Fearsome Critters as its Poetry Editor and seeks to uplift marginalized voices within the millennial generation. She is also the founder and host of de/masc/ed, a podcast that engages with the ideas of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities. In this position, Kelley is excited to be a part of the mission of creating a better Ohio for all LGBTQ people.

[email protected] Dominic Detwiler (he/him/his) is a graduate of Ohio University where he studied Sociology with Minors in Psychology, Political Science, and Music. The focus of his research was on the relationships between environmental and LGBTQ movements. As Public Policy Strategist, Dominic works primarily on advancing Equality Ohio's objectives at the Ohio Statehouse, including passing the Ohio Fairness Act and protecting minors from so-called "conversion therapy". Dominic has worked with Equality Ohio in various capacities since 2017 and has served as Public Policy Strategist since January 2020. Dominic is excited to be a part of the Equality Ohio team and work with lawmakers and other public officials to promote lived and legal equality for LGBTQ Ohioans.

[email protected] Giovonni Santiago (he/him/his) is a Northeast Ohio native, transgender advocate, military veteran and founder of META Center Inc, a non-profit dedicated to educating, motivating and inspiring transgender youth in need of resources and support. With a certification in Coaching and Mentoring, Santiago’s educational background aligns with his passion of empowering LGBTQ individuals and creating broader social change.  He also recently completed a degree in Public Administration from Lorain County Community College. Santiago served in the US Air Force from 2006 to 2010 before a back injury forced him to return to civilian life. Upon his return to Northeast Ohio, Santiago received his degree in early childhood education and began teaching preschool. In 2013, Santiago started his transition at Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As his doctor's first transgender patient, they both recognized a lack of resources and worked together to create the G.I.V.E Clinic. When the clinic opened in 2015, it became the first transgender-specific clinic in the country. Santiago is a trusted voice in the LGBTQ+ community facilitating workshops  across the country at respected institutions including The Nature Conservancy, The Cleveland Clinic, The Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, Kent State University and more.  In 2018, Cleveland Magazine named Santiago one of their Most Interesting People and NBC Out's honored him on their #Pride30 list celebrating LGBTQ individuals making an impact across the country in that same year. A true Jack-of-All-Trades, Giovonni also walked the runway during New York Fashion Week for dapperQ showing there's no limit to his ability to make an impact just by being his authentic self. As the Northeast Organizer, he will continue the progress being made on policies that ensure the safety and equality of all, strengthen coalitions, and assist in the facilitation and education of LGBTQ community members and allies toward full equality.

[email protected] Jen Scott (she/her/hers) is a native Ohioan from Forest Park, Ohio. She attended Northwestern University earning a degree in Chemistry.  After returning to Ohio, she embarked on a successful career in information technology and established her own consulting firm. In 2015, she began another path in life, that of a community organizer and grassroots activist. She became very involved with the atheist and secular movement, driven by a passion for separation of religion and government. She believes strongly that an individual’s right to religious freedom should not infringe on the rights of others. In 2016, she co-organized a campaign which drew international attention to raise awareness of the anti-LGBTQ hiring practices of a tourist attraction in Williamstown, Kentucky. In 2018, she was recognized as Activist of the Year at the national convention for American Atheists, and now serves on their board of directors. In 2019, she co-founded the Community of Reason (COR): Atheists and Humanists of Ohio and Kentucky based in Cincinnati. COR envisions a secular society that values science, reason, integrity, compassion and true equality for everyone. She also serves on the board of Cincinnati Pride as co-chair of the Parade Committee and represents Equality Ohio on the board of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati.  Through her volunteer roles, Jen learned how to use personal passion to empower a community to make a real difference in the lives of others.  She brought this passion to Equality Ohio when she joined the team in 2019 to establish and expand our work in the southwest Ohio region.

[email protected] Rev. James Triplett (he/him/his) is a native of Michigan, has traveled and lived throughout the Midwest and southern states, developing faith-based organizations and places of worship, using his extensive training as management and organizational leadership. Rev. James has been a lifelong leader within the church, navigating the intersectionality of faith and LGBTQ affirmation and is currently applying as a seminary student at United Theological Seminary where he will be studying Masters of Arts in leadership with a concentration in Social Transformation. Rev. James is also Bishop and Founder of IGNITEMVMT, a movement dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ POC Christian community. As a skilled orator, singer, and public figure, James is excited to bring his talents to bear in advocacy work, to be a part of the Equality Ohio team, and to bring to fruition a "legal and lived equality for all LGBTQ Ohioans."

[email protected] Joseph Soza (he/him/el) was brought to this work with a passion for social change, and a vision for a more equitable and affirming Ohio. He graduated with a BA from Malone University where he studied history, global-international studies, and sociology. Additionally, he studied Mandarin and Chinese cultural history at the Dalian University of Foreign Languages in 2017, where he also taught English language. In 2019, Joseph was accepted into the Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fellowship program where he worked for State Senator Teresa Fedor and Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko. He later served as a full time legislative aide in Senator Fedor's office before joining the Equality Ohio team in December 2020 as the Central Ohio regional organizer. Currently, Joseph also serves as a board member of the Ohio League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in his own time. He envisions continued bridge-building between LGBTQ and Latinx leadership and activist spaces as a way to better serve others who live at the intersection of queerness and Latinidad. Joseph looks forward to contributing to lived and legal equality for LGBTQ Ohioans, and hopes to see an Ohio that genuinely nourishes and values all people.

Kathryn Poe (they/she) joined the Equality Ohio team in 2021 as a Public Policy Organizer. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from Capital University, with a focus on health policy, bioethics, and disability studies. Kathryn has volunteered with organizations such as Be the Match, T1International, and the Arthritis Foundation on rare disease and health care advocacy in Ohio. They are excited to join the Equality Ohio policy team to help organize Ohio for better LGBT+ protections.

[email protected] Emily Meyer (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney in the Equality Ohio Legal Clinic. She graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2008. After a number of years practicing law in Cincinnati, including both transactional and litigation work, she returned to graduate school to pursue an M.A. in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati. An Ohio native, Emily counts herself lucky to have resided all across the Buckeye State including in Dayton, Columbus, Cambridge, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Emily is committed to LGBTQ equality as well as gender and racial justice—and the intersections therein. She is a founding member of both the Cincinnati Women’s Fund’s Engagement Committee and the YP Board of Cincinnati Works, a local nonprofit working towards poverty reduction by connecting job seekers with employment training and opportunities. Emily is admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. She is based in Equality Ohio's Cincinnati office.

[email protected] Kim Akins achieved her BA from Denison University and her JD from the University of Akron. She has served on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission for Continuing Education, the Board of Pride Youngstown and as a trustee of Community Legal Services. She is the Executive Director of the Mahoning Valley Players, a theater company which provides free theater in the Youngstown/Warren area.

[email protected] Kate Mozynski (she/they) is an attorney in the Equality Ohio Legal Clinic. She is a Dallas native, but has made Ohio her second home. Kate attended the College of Wooster, where she earned her degree in International Relations, and she is a 2016 graduate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Prior to joining the Equality Ohio team, Kate's practice included international human rights law, immigration law, international criminal law, and inmate civil rights litigation. Kate is passionate about working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and working to extend legal representation to individuals across Ohio. When she is not at work, Kate also coaches high school policy debate, and she is devoted to helping make Ohio debate a supportive educational environment for LGBTQ+ students. Kate is based in the Cleveland office.

Kim Burroughs (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney in the Equality Ohio Legal Clinic. She graduated from the Ohio State University College of Law in 2016. Prior to joining Equality Ohio, Kim worked primarily in the field of criminal law. She began her career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Delaware County, Ohio and then worked as a Criminal Staff Attorney in the Delaware Common Pleas Court. Kim is passionate about working with the LGTBQ+ community and strives to provide trauma informed service to clients.

[email protected] Leslie Johns (she/her/hers) is the Intake Specialist in the Equality Ohio Legal Clinic. She was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio and now resides just down the road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Leslie attended Bowling Green State University, where she earned her degree in Criminal Justice in 2011. Leslie returned to Cleveland after completing her undergraduate degree and attended Cleveland State University’s Cleveland Marshall College of Law where she graduated in 2014. Leslie is a criminal defense attorney and Assistant Director of Law for the City of Willoughby. Leslie practices criminal defense throughout northeast Ohio and surrounding counties. Leslie joined the Equality Ohio team in January 2020 as the Intake Specialist. When Leslie is not at work, she is soaking up precious time with her family and friends.

[email protected] Kim Welter (she/her/hers) is CEO of KLW Consulting, LLC which supports LGBTQ and affiliated advocacy organizations with HR, finance, board and policy expertise. Her primary client is Equality Ohio where she holds the responsibilities of Director of Finance and Policy after previously serving as Deputy Director and Director of Programs and Outreach while on staff. She also briefly served as interim Executive Director; with over ten years of experience with the organization, she is Equality Ohio’s most seasoned consultant. She joined the organization as staff in 2008 after serving as the Executive Director of Equality Toledo for over 2 years. A graduate of University of Michigan, she got her secondary teaching certificate through the University of Findlay and her Master of Arts and Education from the University of Toledo where she taught composition for 3 years. Kim is a 2009/2010 graduate of the Center for Progressive Leadership. In 2019, Kim will be completing her Capstone Project to earn a Certificate in LGBTQ Juvenile Justice as a fellow with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform out of Georgetown University. In 2010, Kim took a leave of absence from Equality Ohio to serve as Campaign Manager for the ONE Bowling Green Campaign in Bowling Green, Ohio which successfully defended two local non-discrimination ordinances from a ballot initiative to repeal. Kim vlogs about LGBTQ issues as kimperfecttv. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her wife and pets.

[email protected] Mary Zaller (she/her/hers) joined Equality Ohio in November of 2014. For the previous 3 years she was the Director of Development for the ninth quadrennial international Gay Games, which were held in Cleveland and Akron in August, 2014. She oversaw all fundraising for Gay Games 9, which were the first Gay Games in history to finish in the black and with a surplus. Mary has worked in the LGBTQ Community in Cleveland since 2003, and is a strong advocate for social justice and systemic change. Previously she worked in the broadcast special effects industry in Europe and Los Angeles. Mary is a Cleveland native and resides in Ohio City.