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NYAC's Board of Directors is composed of individuals from across the United States, who bring a diverse blend of personal and professional backgrounds and experiences. The Board actively seeks applications from youth, people of color, and people of transgender experience. The following individuals are currently Directors of NYAC.
Simon Aronoff
Community Educator, Lambda Legal
Chicago, Illinois
With ten years of public interest communications experience and a deep commitment to advancing LGBT equality, Aronoff most recently served as a vice president at Renna Communications in Washington, D.C. Prior to Renna, Simon was a special projects consultant for PFLAG National, helping the organization to launch and publicize its new, multi-year Straight for Equality program. Simon also served as the Deputy Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) where he directed the organization's programs and communications — substantially increasing coverage of transgender issues in the media. Before joining NCTE, Simon worked in the San Francisco and Washington, D.C. offices of Fenton Communications, the country's largest public interest communications firm. While at Fenton, he provided communications counsel to a wide range of clients in the progressive movement, with a focus on strategic planning, messaging and media relations for LGBT nonprofits.
Gregory Cendana
President, United States Student Association
Washington, District of Columbia
As a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, Gregory Cendana received his BA in Sociology and Labor & Workplace Studies. While at UCLA, Gregory was Student Body Vice President and Campus Organizing Director for the University of California Student Association. Additionally, he served on the executive board of Samahang Pilipino, a Pilipino advocacy organization at UCLA, specifically addressing gender & sexuality issues. He also sat on United States Student Association (USSA) Board of Directors as the Community & Labor Liaison and Outreach Officer, and is a certified GrassRoots Organizing Weekend (GROW) Trainer. He was the 2008-2009 USSA Vice President and was elected as the first openly gay Asian American President. In addition to NYAC, Gregory also enjoys his roles as a national board member for Jobs with Justice & the Generational Alliance.
Fureigh
Online Strategist and Website Developer
New York, New York
Fureigh is a freelance online strategist and website developer. Fureigh recently served as the web and online communications manager for Young People For (YP4), a program of People For the American Way Foundation. Fureigh has been involved in LGBTQ organizing for 10 years and recently spent a year with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Fureigh is a proud graduate of the New Organizing Institute. A founding member of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, Fureigh has also served on the advisory board of the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and is the Shondes' guitarist. Fureigh co-created ResourcesPDX.org, a health resource guide for transgender people in the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area. Fureigh graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Reed College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Chad Grandy
Systems Administrator, HealthInsight
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Chad Grandy has been involved in the LGBTQ rights movement since becoming a member of the GLSEN Jump Start Leadership program as a high school student. While attending Central Michigan University he served in several leadership positions for the university's GSA and local LGBTQ community organization. He later served as a board member of Triangle Foundation, now Equality Michigan. He was a member of the first Soulforce Equality Ride in 2006, featured in the full-length documentary Equality U. Chad lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his partner and remains a committed queer youth advocate.
Lisbeth M. Meléndez-Rivera
Interim Executive Director, Unid@s LGBT
Principal, Intersections Consulting
Washington, District of Columbia
Lisbeth M. Meléndez-Rivera is a 25+ year veteran of the social justice movement. She has worked in Labor, Environmental Justice, Occupational Health and Safety, LGBT and Racial Civil Rights and last but not least youth rights. She lives in Metro DC with her wife of 10 years, her godson, and the animal farm. Finally, she cooks for relaxation, and it's glad her friends enjoy it!
Carla Odiaga, BSN, RN, CPN, LICSW
Nurse, Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Amita Swadhin
Project Coordinator of "Undesirable Elements: Secret Survivors", Ping Chong & Co.
New York City, New York
Amita Swadhin is an educator, media-maker, public speaker, writer, and nonprofit consultant dedicated to fighting interpersonal and institutional violence against young people. Her work is informed by her experiences as a queer woman of color, a daughter of immigrants and a survivor of child abuse. She is the Project Coordinator of Ping Chong & Co.'s "Undesirable Elements: Secret Survivors," a theater project featuring survivors of child sexual abuse telling their stories through dramatic narrative. She is also completing her MPA at NYU's Wagner School of Public Service, where she is a Catherine B. Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Prior to enrolling at NYU, Amita spent eight years as an educator/youth organizer in New York City public schools and after-school programs. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
Frank Walker
Executive Director, Youth Pride Center (YPC)
Chicago, Illinois
Angie Wellman
Intercultural Specialist for LGBT Student Initiatives, Ohio State University Multicultural Center
Columbus, Ohio
Angie Wellman has been involved in the LGBTQ movement since her undergraduate career at Kent State University wherein she held leadership positions in the campus Student Services Center and served as a catalyst to providing diversity and inclusion trainings to residence hall staff. There, Angie earned her BA in Criminal Justice with minors in Women's Studies and English, then went on to work with adjudicated youth. She became involved in queer community centers by co-facilitating the Women's Discussion group at the Cleveland LGBT Center and helped initiate youth programming at the Akron Pride Center. After moving to Columbus, Angie received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling and School Guidance Counseling while working in the child welfare system. She is a licensed professional counselor, and maintains a private practice at Affirmations Psychotherapy. Angie served as the Program Coordinator at Stonewall Columbus for two years prior to assuming the position of Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center in January of 2003. Angie led this organization until January 2010, when she took a position with the Ohio State University Multicultural Center. Through both professional and volunteer roles, Angie has devoted almost 20 years to social justice work related to youth advocacy, racism, chemical dependency and mental health, and Women's rights.
Gregory Varnum
Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Washington, District of Columbia
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