Jim Collins Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds gender-confirming surgeries for transgender people, today announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors. JCF’s new board members, with backgrounds in psychology, medicine, and diversity training, have already worked for years with the transgender community through advocacy, direct service, and public speaking.
“We are thrilled to have the addition of such talented and experienced people to the Jim Collins Foundation board,” said JCF Co-Founder Tony Ferraiolo. “The energy of the new board will push us forward as we serve the transgender community through our grants and raise awareness about the critical need for coverage for medically-necessary care,” said JCF Co-Founder Dru Levasseur.
Joining JCF’s Board of Directors are:
- Kylie Aquino, LMSW, psychotherapist at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center; Education Co-Chair at New York+Acumen; member of the Executive Board of the NYU LGBT Alumni Network; 2015 Management Leadership for Tomorrow fellow
- Dr. John C. Capozuca, licensed psychologist in private practice; supervising psychologist for the Gender Identity Project at the LGBT Center in New York City; consulting psychologist to the Michael Callen/Audre Lorde Community Health Center; Membership Chair of World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
- lore m. dickey, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology & Behavioral Sciences at Louisiana Tech University; co-chair of a task force at the American Psychological Association, writing Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients
- Anne L. Koch, D.M.D., founder and past Director of the Postdoctoral Endodontics Program at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine; consultant for providers and staff at various medical centers on aging and health care for transgender people
- Ryan Sallans, author of Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life, public speaker, diversity trainer, and media advocate specializing in health care, campus inclusion and workplace issues for the LGBTQ community
Full bios are available at jimcollinsfoundation.org.
Over 300 people applied for JCF’s current grant cycle, and applications are being reviewed by a national selection committee comprised of anonymous transgender individuals. The Jim Collins Foundation is a volunteer-run organization, and donations go directly toward grant recipients’ gender-confirming surgeries. Donations are still being accepted for the current round, and the number of grants awarded is dependent on funds raised each year.