Jody Randall (she/her/hers) is the inaugural Director of the Office of LGBTQIA at Texas Tech University. This collaborative role reporting directly to the chief student affairs and chief diversity officers best positions Jody to be the institution's senior advocate for matters influencing campus inclusivity of LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Her work across educational and sociopolitical arenas has been recognized by her peers, as most recently demonstrated by her selection to serve as the Public Policy Liaison for the Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community for Student Affairs … [Read more...]
Ryan Sallans- Vice President
Ryan Sallans, author of Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life, is a public speaker, diversity trainer, consultant, publisher and author specializing in health care, campus inclusion and workplace issues surrounding the LGBTQ community. After his appearance in the documentary Gender Rebel featured on the LOGO channel, Ryan began traveling to Universities where he shares the story of his transition from female to male and his recovery from anorexia nervosa. Ryan has been interviewed twice on Larry King Live, Trisha, Ricki: The New Ricki Lake Show, HuffPost Live and NPR. Ryan … [Read more...]
Ava Keely Arnett – Secretary / Grant Coordinator
Ava Arnett is software engineer for a regional bank. Ava has been involved in the computer industry professionally since 1998 and has worked for nonprofits, health care and the financial industry in various capacities. She is an active volunteer with the Translation transgender youth group and has been co-facilitating since 2013 with Tony Ferraiolo and the other coordinators. Ava had struggled with gender dysphoria since her childhood in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2010 she transitioned, personally and professionally and began living her authentic life. In her spare time, she enjoys … [Read more...]
Ryan Rasdall – Treasurer
Ryan Rasdall is the Legal Assistant for the Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV. In his role, Ryan facilitates the Transgender Rights Project’s work by, among other things, conducting research and analysis on issues facing transgender people. Ryan has also spoken about his and Lambda Legal’s work to advance transgender rights to various audiences, including the Connecticut Trans Lives Conference, the NYC … [Read more...]
Erin Marie Meyer
Erin Marie Meyer is the Pro Bono Counsel at Proskauer Rose LLP, a leading international law firm. In that role, Erin works with a diverse network of legal services and nonprofit organizations to identify opportunities for pro bono lawyers to make a difference in the lives of low-income individuals seeking equal access to justice. Erin also provides practice support and supervision to lawyers handling pro bono matters addressing a variety of social justice issues. Prior to joining Proskauer, Erin was a senior associate at a large international law firm where her practice focused on complex … [Read more...]
Emma Shinn, she/her/hers
Shinn is criminal defense attorney with The Shinn Law Office in Castle Rock, Colorado. Since retiring from active duty in the Marine Corps in 2014 with service as both an attorney and prior-enlisted infantry leader, she runs a successful practice representing service members, cadets, and civilians in military, state, and federal courts. Shinn is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Colorado Name Change Project, a nonprofit helping transgender Colorado residents legally change their name and correct gender markers on state and federal identity documents, as well as service on several … [Read more...]
Ezra Young, he/him/his
As a nationally recognized transgender civil rights attorney, Young practices law focused on rights of recognition, employment protections, and healthcare and insurance coverage issues. Prior to founding his practice in 2017, he served as Director of Impact Litigation at the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. Previously, he served as an associate with a private law firm and was a Post-Doctoral Scholar. Young received his B.A. in Philosophy from Cornell University and his J.D. from Columbia Law School. While a law student, Young served as Executive Managing Editor of the … [Read more...]
Tony Thornton, he/him/his
Thornton served as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Lubbock, Inc. (Texas) from 2003 to 2012. During that time, he was a member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates (TAPPA) and served in various leadership roles including Board Chair, Treasurer, and Western Region Diversity Chair. He also served as a member of the national Cultural Diversity Steering Committee and Chair of the Annual Conference Planning Committee from 2009 to 2011. Prior to his employment with Planned Parenthood, Thornton was an accountant and Business … [Read more...]
Dane Menkin, he/him/his
Menkin is a Nurse Practitioner and the Divisional Director of LGBTQ Services at Main Line HealthCare. His special interests include HIV medicine and transgender/gender-non conforming health care. He received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from East Stroudsburg University, then completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Cedar Crest College, before earning a Master of Science in Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University. Dane is also on the faculty at Georgetown University School of Nursing. His term on the Board expires June 13, 2020. … [Read more...]