2015 Speakers
Selisse Berry
Founder and CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Selisse Berry is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s largest nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to creating safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly with dramatic increases in attendance for the annual Workplace Summit since 1999, the expansion of volunteer regional affiliates across the United States and many global initiatives.
Selisse’s vision has been instrumental in creating an international organization whose philosophy reflects the importance of treating all colleagues in the workplace with respect and dignity. Since her first job as a guidance counselor, Selisse has continued her commitment to justice as a teacher and as a leader of several social service organizations prior to founding Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. She has master’s degrees in education and theology from the University of Texas and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Selisse and her wife, Cynthia Martin, were legally married in California in 2008.
Selisse was awarded the Outstanding Hero Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; the Parks Award in Rome, Italy; and the KQED Local Heroes Award in San Francisco, California. Selisse is the editor of Out & Equal at Work: From Closet to Corner Office, an anthology of personal stories of executive trailblazers who have transformed the workplace for LGBT people.
Founder and CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Selisse Berry is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s largest nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to creating safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly with dramatic increases in attendance for the annual Workplace Summit since 1999, the expansion of volunteer regional affiliates across the United States and many global initiatives.
Selisse’s vision has been instrumental in creating an international organization whose philosophy reflects the importance of treating all colleagues in the workplace with respect and dignity. Since her first job as a guidance counselor, Selisse has continued her commitment to justice as a teacher and as a leader of several social service organizations prior to founding Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. She has master’s degrees in education and theology from the University of Texas and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Selisse and her wife, Cynthia Martin, were legally married in California in 2008.
Selisse was awarded the Outstanding Hero Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; the Parks Award in Rome, Italy; and the KQED Local Heroes Award in San Francisco, California. Selisse is the editor of Out & Equal at Work: From Closet to Corner Office, an anthology of personal stories of executive trailblazers who have transformed the workplace for LGBT people.
Lucy Lee Helm
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Starbucks Coffee Company
Lucy Helm has been a partner (employee) at Starbucks for fifteen years. She was appointed as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary in May 2012. In her role, Lucy leads the global Law & Corporate Affairs department, including 210 legal and compliance partners (employees) in 16 offices around the world. She also serves as a member of Starbucks senior leadership team and supports the company’s board of directors. Lucy also serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Starbucks Pride Alliance Network.
In addition to her work at Starbucks, Lucy is a member of the board of directors of the global humanitarian agency MercyCorps. She also serves on the board of the Washington YMCA Youth & Government Program and the advisory board of Disability Rights Advocates, a non-profit disability law center in Berkeley, California. Lucy serves as the co-chair for the 2013-14 Campaign for Equal Justice and is an active volunteer with Parkview Services, a Seattle based non-profit providing housing and other services to persons with disabilities. In 2014 Lucy was a recipient of Legal Momentum’s Woman of Achievement award, and was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel.
Prior to joining Starbucks, Lucy was a principal at Riddell Williams P.S. in Seattle, where she was a trial lawyer specializing in commercial, insurance coverage and environmental litigation. She was also an assistant director and advocacy director at the Center for Accessible Living in Louisville, Kentucky and an instructor with the University of Louisville paralegal program. Lucy received her B.A. in political science, with highest honors, from the University of Louisville and is a cum laude graduate of the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. She was recognized as a 2008 Alumnae Fellow of the University of Louisville School of Arts and Sciences and a 2010 Outstanding Alumnae of the Brandeis School of Law.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Starbucks Coffee Company
Lucy Helm has been a partner (employee) at Starbucks for fifteen years. She was appointed as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary in May 2012. In her role, Lucy leads the global Law & Corporate Affairs department, including 210 legal and compliance partners (employees) in 16 offices around the world. She also serves as a member of Starbucks senior leadership team and supports the company’s board of directors. Lucy also serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Starbucks Pride Alliance Network.
In addition to her work at Starbucks, Lucy is a member of the board of directors of the global humanitarian agency MercyCorps. She also serves on the board of the Washington YMCA Youth & Government Program and the advisory board of Disability Rights Advocates, a non-profit disability law center in Berkeley, California. Lucy serves as the co-chair for the 2013-14 Campaign for Equal Justice and is an active volunteer with Parkview Services, a Seattle based non-profit providing housing and other services to persons with disabilities. In 2014 Lucy was a recipient of Legal Momentum’s Woman of Achievement award, and was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel.
Prior to joining Starbucks, Lucy was a principal at Riddell Williams P.S. in Seattle, where she was a trial lawyer specializing in commercial, insurance coverage and environmental litigation. She was also an assistant director and advocacy director at the Center for Accessible Living in Louisville, Kentucky and an instructor with the University of Louisville paralegal program. Lucy received her B.A. in political science, with highest honors, from the University of Louisville and is a cum laude graduate of the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. She was recognized as a 2008 Alumnae Fellow of the University of Louisville School of Arts and Sciences and a 2010 Outstanding Alumnae of the Brandeis School of Law.
Patricia A. Rose
Major General, Deputy Chief of Staff US Air Force
Major General Patricia A. Rose is the mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. She supports the Deputy Chief of Staff in leadership, management and integration of Air Force logistics readiness, aircraft and missile maintenance, civil engineering and security forces, as well as setting policy and preparing budget estimates that reflect enhancements to productivity, combat readiness and quality of life for Air Force members.
General Rose entered the Air Force through Officer Training School in 1984. Her more notable assignments include Mobilization Assistant to the Director for Logistics, Engineering, and Security Assistance, U.S. Pacific Command and Mission Director for the U.S. Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in Southwest Asia where she directed joint logistics for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Major General, Deputy Chief of Staff US Air Force
Major General Patricia A. Rose is the mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. She supports the Deputy Chief of Staff in leadership, management and integration of Air Force logistics readiness, aircraft and missile maintenance, civil engineering and security forces, as well as setting policy and preparing budget estimates that reflect enhancements to productivity, combat readiness and quality of life for Air Force members.
General Rose entered the Air Force through Officer Training School in 1984. Her more notable assignments include Mobilization Assistant to the Director for Logistics, Engineering, and Security Assistance, U.S. Pacific Command and Mission Director for the U.S. Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in Southwest Asia where she directed joint logistics for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Hill Landon Wolfe
Former U.S. Navy, President- Cornell Public Affairs Society
Hill first came to Washington State while serving in the U.S. Navy then moved back home to complete his degree at Northern Illinois University (NIU) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in both Media Communication and Public Administration and Service, with two minors in Gender Studies and Art. Hill served as President of their university’s LGBTQ organization and was a Student Representative for the NIU Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Also while enrolled in school, Hill served as a Legislative Affairs Intern for OutServe-SLDN, formerly Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in Washington D.C.
After graduating from NIU, Hill brought his passion for public service back to the Northwest as Chair of the Programs and Outreach Committee of the Seattle LGBT Commission and also worked for Seattle Public Utilities. Additionally, he served as a Board Member of Ingersoll Gender Center. Hill currently lives in Ithaca, New York and is a master’s student at the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs concentrating in government, politics and policy. Hill currently serves as President of the Cornell Public Affairs Society and Communications Chair for Cornell Women in Public Policy.
Former U.S. Navy, President- Cornell Public Affairs Society
Hill first came to Washington State while serving in the U.S. Navy then moved back home to complete his degree at Northern Illinois University (NIU) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in both Media Communication and Public Administration and Service, with two minors in Gender Studies and Art. Hill served as President of their university’s LGBTQ organization and was a Student Representative for the NIU Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Also while enrolled in school, Hill served as a Legislative Affairs Intern for OutServe-SLDN, formerly Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in Washington D.C.
After graduating from NIU, Hill brought his passion for public service back to the Northwest as Chair of the Programs and Outreach Committee of the Seattle LGBT Commission and also worked for Seattle Public Utilities. Additionally, he served as a Board Member of Ingersoll Gender Center. Hill currently lives in Ithaca, New York and is a master’s student at the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs concentrating in government, politics and policy. Hill currently serves as President of the Cornell Public Affairs Society and Communications Chair for Cornell Women in Public Policy.
Jonathan Hopkins
Former U.S. Army, Operations & Logistics Manager Uber
Jonathan Hopkins leads Washington State operations (less Seattle) for Uber out of the Seattle office. He also serves on the board of Seattle Subway, further fulfilling his passion for transforming our urban environment into an ever more efficient and livable space. Previously, Jonathan worked at McKinsey & Company after completing a Masters in Security Studies at Georgetown University.
Jonathan previously served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point with a degree in International Relations. His career took him to Italy and Alaska with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. He served as a platoon leader and company commander and earned three bronze stars, including one for valor. Despite being selected for early promotion to major, Jonathan was ultimately discharge from the Army after it was discovered he was gay under the law known colloquially as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Upon discharge, Jonathan helped with the enormous effort to overturn the law by writing, appearing on television programs such as Rachel Maddow, and serving on the boards of military service organizations dedicated to the same objective. Jonathan now resides in Seattle, Washington.
Former U.S. Army, Operations & Logistics Manager Uber
Jonathan Hopkins leads Washington State operations (less Seattle) for Uber out of the Seattle office. He also serves on the board of Seattle Subway, further fulfilling his passion for transforming our urban environment into an ever more efficient and livable space. Previously, Jonathan worked at McKinsey & Company after completing a Masters in Security Studies at Georgetown University.
Jonathan previously served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point with a degree in International Relations. His career took him to Italy and Alaska with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. He served as a platoon leader and company commander and earned three bronze stars, including one for valor. Despite being selected for early promotion to major, Jonathan was ultimately discharge from the Army after it was discovered he was gay under the law known colloquially as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Upon discharge, Jonathan helped with the enormous effort to overturn the law by writing, appearing on television programs such as Rachel Maddow, and serving on the boards of military service organizations dedicated to the same objective. Jonathan now resides in Seattle, Washington.
Sister Domine Trix
Former U.S. Navy, President- Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence- Abbey of Saint Joan
As a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, Dominé dedicates herself to the promulgation of universal joy, and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. She works to raise money for aids charities; fights for queer rights and visibility; performs safer sex outreach; and strives diligently to maintain her sense of humor; never taking herself so seriously that she forgets to have fun.
Dominé found her voice through her work with the Sisters over the last 6 years and has allowed it to carry over into the other aspects of her life. She is willing to talk about hard topics, or really any topic at all, in plain language. She is constantly fighting against gender norms, and stereotypes, and all things accepted as Status Quo.
In her secular life, Dominé is a Senior Operations Analyst for a third party O&M Contractor for the Power Generation industry. Basically she writes operating procedures, maintenance instructions, and safety guidelines for power generation facilities around the world.
Prior to that Dominé Spent 8 years in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Electronics Technician/Reactor Operator. This was very much during the time of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Her plan was to make sure that no one had to ask, so she wouldn’t have to tell. So I guess even back then she was a Queer Rights Activist, by means of civil disobedience, without even realizing it.
Former U.S. Navy, President- Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence- Abbey of Saint Joan
As a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, Dominé dedicates herself to the promulgation of universal joy, and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. She works to raise money for aids charities; fights for queer rights and visibility; performs safer sex outreach; and strives diligently to maintain her sense of humor; never taking herself so seriously that she forgets to have fun.
Dominé found her voice through her work with the Sisters over the last 6 years and has allowed it to carry over into the other aspects of her life. She is willing to talk about hard topics, or really any topic at all, in plain language. She is constantly fighting against gender norms, and stereotypes, and all things accepted as Status Quo.
In her secular life, Dominé is a Senior Operations Analyst for a third party O&M Contractor for the Power Generation industry. Basically she writes operating procedures, maintenance instructions, and safety guidelines for power generation facilities around the world.
Prior to that Dominé Spent 8 years in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Electronics Technician/Reactor Operator. This was very much during the time of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Her plan was to make sure that no one had to ask, so she wouldn’t have to tell. So I guess even back then she was a Queer Rights Activist, by means of civil disobedience, without even realizing it.
Afsheen Saatchi
U.S. Air Force Reserves, Recruiter, Military Talent Acquisition, Starbucks
Afsheen Saatchi is a Starbucks military recruiter and a member of the United States Air Force Reserve. In November 2013, Starbucks announced a plan to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years. Since then, Starbucks has hosted hiring and career fairs across the country. As a recruiter, Afsheen supports transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses as they navigate career opportunities within his organization. He also partners with Starbucks' global responsibility team to develop and support an active comprehensive military and veteran acquisition strategy to attract top quality retail and enterprise talent to support the various business functions
Afsheen is an active member of the Starbucks Armed Forces Network. The Armed Forces Network Mission is to support Starbucks military partners, support transitioning military and military families, and create a veteran friendly workplace. In his free time, he enjoys flying in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He dedicates his time to supporting Air Force’s mission to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space.
U.S. Air Force Reserves, Recruiter, Military Talent Acquisition, Starbucks
Afsheen Saatchi is a Starbucks military recruiter and a member of the United States Air Force Reserve. In November 2013, Starbucks announced a plan to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years. Since then, Starbucks has hosted hiring and career fairs across the country. As a recruiter, Afsheen supports transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses as they navigate career opportunities within his organization. He also partners with Starbucks' global responsibility team to develop and support an active comprehensive military and veteran acquisition strategy to attract top quality retail and enterprise talent to support the various business functions
Afsheen is an active member of the Starbucks Armed Forces Network. The Armed Forces Network Mission is to support Starbucks military partners, support transitioning military and military families, and create a veteran friendly workplace. In his free time, he enjoys flying in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He dedicates his time to supporting Air Force’s mission to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space.
Gautam Raghavan
Vice President of Policy, Gill Foundation
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
As Vice President of Policy, Gautam Raghavan drives the Gill Foundation’s executive branch and agency efforts at both the federal and state level. He is responsible for crafting and monitoring new policy avenues to ensure a level playing field for all LGBT Americans.
From 2011 to 2014, Gautam served as President Barack Obama’s liaison to the LGBT community as well as the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. In this role, Gautam directed the White House’s outreach around major policy developments advancing LGBT equality, including President Obama’s support for marriage equality and the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor, the signing of an Executive Order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers, the roll out and implementation of a Presidential Memorandum on international LGBT human rights, and administrative actions prohibiting LGBT discrimination in housing, health care, and other areas.
From 2009 to 2011, Raghavan served as Deputy White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense and as Outreach Lead for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Working Group, where he directed all outreach and communications with key external stakeholders, including organizations advocating for and against repeal, scholars and research institutions with relevant expertise, and gay and lesbian military families and veterans.
Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Raghavan worked to strengthen the progressive movement and expand the Democratic Party as Director of the 2008 Obama Campaign’s Asian American Finance Committee, Midwest Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee under Chairman Howard Dean, and in other positions for the DNC and Progressive Majority.
A first-generation immigrant, Gautam was born in India and raised in the Seattle suburbs. He is a graduate of Stanford University and lives in Washington, D.C. with his husband Andrew and beagle Penny.
Vice President of Policy, Gill Foundation
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
As Vice President of Policy, Gautam Raghavan drives the Gill Foundation’s executive branch and agency efforts at both the federal and state level. He is responsible for crafting and monitoring new policy avenues to ensure a level playing field for all LGBT Americans.
From 2011 to 2014, Gautam served as President Barack Obama’s liaison to the LGBT community as well as the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. In this role, Gautam directed the White House’s outreach around major policy developments advancing LGBT equality, including President Obama’s support for marriage equality and the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor, the signing of an Executive Order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers, the roll out and implementation of a Presidential Memorandum on international LGBT human rights, and administrative actions prohibiting LGBT discrimination in housing, health care, and other areas.
From 2009 to 2011, Raghavan served as Deputy White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense and as Outreach Lead for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Working Group, where he directed all outreach and communications with key external stakeholders, including organizations advocating for and against repeal, scholars and research institutions with relevant expertise, and gay and lesbian military families and veterans.
Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Raghavan worked to strengthen the progressive movement and expand the Democratic Party as Director of the 2008 Obama Campaign’s Asian American Finance Committee, Midwest Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee under Chairman Howard Dean, and in other positions for the DNC and Progressive Majority.
A first-generation immigrant, Gautam was born in India and raised in the Seattle suburbs. He is a graduate of Stanford University and lives in Washington, D.C. with his husband Andrew and beagle Penny.
Nevin Caple
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Br{ache the Silence Campaign, (BTS), BTS Campaign
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
Nevin Caple is Co-founder and Executive Director of Br{ache the Silence Campaign (BTS). BTS Campaign is a non-profit organization founded to end anti-LGBTQ bias and sexism in women and girls sports. As a strategic diversity consultant, Nevin consults with college coaches, athletic administrators and student-athletes to create LGBTQ inclusive athletic communities. She sits on the Wade Trophy Committee for women’s college basketball, National Center for Lesbian Rights’ National Leadership Council and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Advocacy Committee. Nevin works closely with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the NCAA Office of Diversity & Inclusion. She is a founding member of the Nike LGBT Sports Coalition and resides in New York City.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Br{ache the Silence Campaign, (BTS), BTS Campaign
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
Nevin Caple is Co-founder and Executive Director of Br{ache the Silence Campaign (BTS). BTS Campaign is a non-profit organization founded to end anti-LGBTQ bias and sexism in women and girls sports. As a strategic diversity consultant, Nevin consults with college coaches, athletic administrators and student-athletes to create LGBTQ inclusive athletic communities. She sits on the Wade Trophy Committee for women’s college basketball, National Center for Lesbian Rights’ National Leadership Council and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Advocacy Committee. Nevin works closely with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the NCAA Office of Diversity & Inclusion. She is a founding member of the Nike LGBT Sports Coalition and resides in New York City.
Gregory Lewis
Executive Director, True Colors Fund
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
A longtime advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality, Gregory Lewis is nationally recognized for his vision and leadership. In 2008, he worked with Cyndi Lauper and her co-founders to launch the True Colors Fund and has served as its executive director ever since. Under Gregory’s leadership, the True Colors Fund has grown into the leading national organization addressing the issue of gay and transgender youth homelessness, as well as an influential resource in encouraging straight people to give a damn about equality for all.
Gregory built the organization from the ground up, creating the infrastructure and development streams critical to its success. He also conceptualized and developed the True Colors Fund’s two signature initiatives: the Forty to None Project and the Give a Damn Campaign.
The Forty to None Project grew out of a yearlong in-depth assessment conducted by Gregory into the crisis of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth homelessness and the existing resources to address the issue. Launched in 2012, the project works to bring the number of homeless youth who identify as gay or transgender from 40 percent to none by educating and engaging the public, advocating within government and media, creating empowering experiences for these young people, facilitating leading research, and aiding service providers in building their capacity and creating an inclusive environment within their agencies.
Through its website, online engagement, and award winning public service announcements, the Give a Damn Campaign encourages straight people to get involved in ensuring equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Since 2010, the Give a Damn Campaign has spread its message of equality around the world with the help of its over 100,000 members and numerous celebrity partners, including Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Ricky Martin, Jason Mraz, Anna Paquin, and many, many more.
Prior to joining the True Colors Fund, Gregory served as the managing director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Under his leadership, the organization grew significantly and developed a strong programmatic direction in its efforts to erase hate and promote acceptance and understanding.
Gregory’s career as an advocate was, in fact, prompted by Matthew Shepard’s death in Wyoming in 1998. Shocked by the hate crime, Gregory began volunteering with the DC-based Human Rights Campaign, the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organization in the country, where he was soon encouraged to apply for a full-time position. He spent seven years in HRC’s development department, including four years as the associate director of development operations and special projects, a role in which he oversaw the operations of a $30 million fundraising and membership department and focused on the creation of new revenue streams.
Gregory’s interest in bringing people together to make a difference dates back to his high school years, when he started a county-wide coalition of chapters of Students Against Drunk Driving. He spoke to national media, lobbied Congress on the issue, and was named one of the most Caring Young Adults in the nation by the DC-based Caring Institute.
Gregory grew up in New York and attended the University of Southern California, where he joined a long list of successful college dropouts.
Executive Director, True Colors Fund
Fireside Chat: LBGTQ Advocacy through non-traditional approaches- Plenary Session
A longtime advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality, Gregory Lewis is nationally recognized for his vision and leadership. In 2008, he worked with Cyndi Lauper and her co-founders to launch the True Colors Fund and has served as its executive director ever since. Under Gregory’s leadership, the True Colors Fund has grown into the leading national organization addressing the issue of gay and transgender youth homelessness, as well as an influential resource in encouraging straight people to give a damn about equality for all.
Gregory built the organization from the ground up, creating the infrastructure and development streams critical to its success. He also conceptualized and developed the True Colors Fund’s two signature initiatives: the Forty to None Project and the Give a Damn Campaign.
The Forty to None Project grew out of a yearlong in-depth assessment conducted by Gregory into the crisis of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth homelessness and the existing resources to address the issue. Launched in 2012, the project works to bring the number of homeless youth who identify as gay or transgender from 40 percent to none by educating and engaging the public, advocating within government and media, creating empowering experiences for these young people, facilitating leading research, and aiding service providers in building their capacity and creating an inclusive environment within their agencies.
Through its website, online engagement, and award winning public service announcements, the Give a Damn Campaign encourages straight people to get involved in ensuring equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Since 2010, the Give a Damn Campaign has spread its message of equality around the world with the help of its over 100,000 members and numerous celebrity partners, including Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Ricky Martin, Jason Mraz, Anna Paquin, and many, many more.
Prior to joining the True Colors Fund, Gregory served as the managing director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Under his leadership, the organization grew significantly and developed a strong programmatic direction in its efforts to erase hate and promote acceptance and understanding.
Gregory’s career as an advocate was, in fact, prompted by Matthew Shepard’s death in Wyoming in 1998. Shocked by the hate crime, Gregory began volunteering with the DC-based Human Rights Campaign, the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organization in the country, where he was soon encouraged to apply for a full-time position. He spent seven years in HRC’s development department, including four years as the associate director of development operations and special projects, a role in which he oversaw the operations of a $30 million fundraising and membership department and focused on the creation of new revenue streams.
Gregory’s interest in bringing people together to make a difference dates back to his high school years, when he started a county-wide coalition of chapters of Students Against Drunk Driving. He spoke to national media, lobbied Congress on the issue, and was named one of the most Caring Young Adults in the nation by the DC-based Caring Institute.
Gregory grew up in New York and attended the University of Southern California, where he joined a long list of successful college dropouts.
Christopher McCormick
Executive Co-Chair, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Seattle
Christopher has participated and served in the LGBT community for 20+ years. He is currently the Co-Chair of Out & Equal Seattle. He has served as the Chair of the Starbucks Pride Alliance and the Global Co-Chair of the Bank of America Pride Network. Christopher has used his work in corporate America for 15+ years to benefit and contribute to many local and global organizations including GSBA, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, HRC, The Victory Fund and Lambert House.
Dynamic, outgoing, collaborative and passionate, Christopher is an award winning leader and has been honored for his work in the field of Organization Development and Learning & Development. Most recently in 2012, Christopher was honored with the Brandon Hall Award for Best Learning Team. He has also received the Spirit of Starbucks Award, The Bank of America Award of Excellence and the Communicator Award for Corporate Learning. His holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. He has toured the world in Broadway Musicals and is an accomplished and gifted singer. He currently resides in Seattle, WA.
Executive Co-Chair, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Seattle
Christopher has participated and served in the LGBT community for 20+ years. He is currently the Co-Chair of Out & Equal Seattle. He has served as the Chair of the Starbucks Pride Alliance and the Global Co-Chair of the Bank of America Pride Network. Christopher has used his work in corporate America for 15+ years to benefit and contribute to many local and global organizations including GSBA, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, HRC, The Victory Fund and Lambert House.
Dynamic, outgoing, collaborative and passionate, Christopher is an award winning leader and has been honored for his work in the field of Organization Development and Learning & Development. Most recently in 2012, Christopher was honored with the Brandon Hall Award for Best Learning Team. He has also received the Spirit of Starbucks Award, The Bank of America Award of Excellence and the Communicator Award for Corporate Learning. His holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. He has toured the world in Broadway Musicals and is an accomplished and gifted singer. He currently resides in Seattle, WA.
Christopher Brown
Executive Co-Chair, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Seattle
Chris has been active in LGBT equality since his teenage years. He fought for equality in his church growing up and continued that work in the fields of Hospitality, Banking and IT. He worked on the Prop 8 and Ref 74 campaign, has been active with HRC and is an avid volunteer. He volunteers with Free The Children, Out & Equal, HRC and many other organizations that have a local and global impact. As a small business owner, full time worker and an active member of the LGBT advocacy community, Chris has a unique perspective on how businesses and organizations can best align with LGBT and minority groups.
Connecting people at all levels is one of his primary goals. It’s important to hear others in order to understand how people can work together for the betterment of all parties. In his career, Chris has held title to many awards. Bank of America Award of Excellence, iHeartMedia Above the Rim Award and Employee of the Year just to name a few. If you’d like to connect further with Chris, please find him on LinkedIn here. (Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-brown/1a/7b3/98)
Executive Co-Chair, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Seattle
Chris has been active in LGBT equality since his teenage years. He fought for equality in his church growing up and continued that work in the fields of Hospitality, Banking and IT. He worked on the Prop 8 and Ref 74 campaign, has been active with HRC and is an avid volunteer. He volunteers with Free The Children, Out & Equal, HRC and many other organizations that have a local and global impact. As a small business owner, full time worker and an active member of the LGBT advocacy community, Chris has a unique perspective on how businesses and organizations can best align with LGBT and minority groups.
Connecting people at all levels is one of his primary goals. It’s important to hear others in order to understand how people can work together for the betterment of all parties. In his career, Chris has held title to many awards. Bank of America Award of Excellence, iHeartMedia Above the Rim Award and Employee of the Year just to name a few. If you’d like to connect further with Chris, please find him on LinkedIn here. (Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-brown/1a/7b3/98)