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Our Team

Staff

Jeff Main

Jeff Main

Executive Director & co-founder

Pronouns: he/him

As a co-founder of Point of Pride and the previous Board Secretary, Jeff spent nearly a decade leading and growing the organization, from spearheading and overseeing the programs to cultivating donors and partnerships before transitioning to the Executive Director role in July 2023. Jeff is also multi-disciplinary creative specializing in marketing and design and has worked with companies and non-profit organizations of all sizes, including LGBTQ+, health and wellness, and mental health organizations.

Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling

Chief Advancement Officer & co-founder

Pronouns: he/him

Aydian has been speaking out and providing for the transgender community since 2009, with the start of his YouTube Channel, ALionsFears. His continued drive and love to provide for an underprivileged transgender community has lead him to creating Point 5cc and Point of Pride. As a motivational speaker and trans activist, Aydian is beyond ecstatic for the ever-growing programs at Point of Pride that will have a direct impact on our community.

Tyler Rodriguez

Tyler Rodriguez

Director of Programs

Pronouns: he/him

Tyler comes to this role after having served as a volunteer on the Board of Directors for 5 years, specializing in directing our garment donation programs. Prior to this position, he has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 15 years, and possesses a deep expertise on the issues that most affect our community in accessing care. In his spare time, Tyler can be found volunteering with his local Special Olympics program or performing random acts of carpentry in his garage.

Jay B.

Jay B.

Operations & Finance Manager

Pronouns: they/them

Before joining the team, Jay has held various roles providing financial and operational support for small-to-medium non-profits. Jay brings a strong commitment to financial transparency and sustainability, paired with a passion for budgeting and spreadsheets. Jay enjoys teaching Yoga, community building, and taking long walks in the neighborhood.

Abby J.

Abby J.

Care Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her

Abby has four years of experience in care coordination for disabled adults and has contributed to developing three medical startups focused on expanding healthcare access for low-income, uninsured, and disabled populations. For the past seven years, Abby has navigated the transgender healthcare landscape alongside her husband. Her passion lies in helping transgender individuals access comprehensive care through creative problem-solving and supportive advocacy, ensuring they receive the affirming healthcare they deserve.

Volunteers

Vivienne Esrig

Vivienne Esrig

Operations & Finance Support

Pronouns: she/her

Vivienne swore an allegiance to non-profits at the age of 15, before she was old enough to know better. For 30+ years she has worked for dozens of organizations as a financial, strategic, and personnel expert. A lifelong social justice warrior, she is honored to join the incredible team at the Point of Pride. When not analyzing financial statements, proposing new collaborative opportunities, and giving her two cents to whomever will listen, she takes care of a sick spouse and adores her toy poodle, Kona.

Logan V.

Logan V.

CGF Coordinator

Pronouns: they/them

Logan comes to this role after serving as a Community Grantmaking Fellow (CGF.) As a writer, they passionately contribute to their blog, chronicling their experiences as a non-binary individual. Logan's commitment to community engagement spans years, highlighted during college by the establishment of a community outreach program that helped students get more involved in the local area. They continue to remain an active member of the trans and gender diverse community, volunteering with local LGBTQ+ organizations and their neighborhood collective.

Board of Directors

Liz B.

Liz B.

President

Pronouns: they/them

Liz has been working to help LGBTQ+ folks feel supported and affirmed for over 20 years. They consider their queer identity to be one of their greatest gifts they’ve received, and their life is better for it. Liz also spent ten years volunteering for Gender Spectrum's Annual Conference and in 2019 was part of a featured panel at SXSW on Going Beyond the Gender Binary. Outside of Point of Pride, they co-founded their company's trans ERG in 2015 and continue to lead it.

Trans flag

Nic

President

Pronouns: they/he

Before moving into the tech industry, Nic worked in Washington, DC for more than a decade on nonprofit and political strategy, fundraising, marketing, and advocacy. During this time, Nic partnered with some of the world’s most impactful progressive organizations and candidates to drive meaningful legislative and social change.

Rob V.

Rob V.

Treasurer

Pronouns: he/him

Rob brings years of experience as a board member of other LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations. In addition to serving as Treasurer, Rob currently practices chiropractic medicine in Oregon.

Meryl L.

Meryl L.

Pronouns: she/her

Meryl is a college-level instructor, teaching a variety of courses on ethics and social and political issues. She has years of experience working with non-profits, the LGBTQ+ community, and children with disabilities. Her primary focus at Point of Pride is grant writing and research, as well as volunteering at LGBTQ+ events on the East Coast.

Chris Mosier

Chris Mosier

Pronouns: he/him

Chris is a trailblazing hall of fame triathlete, All-American duathlete, and 6-time member of Team USA. In 2015 he became the first known transgender man to make a men’s US National Team, and was the catalyst for change for the International Olympic Committee policy on transgender athletes. His website Transathlete.com is widely regarded as the go-to source for policy and information on transgender people in sport. As a Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris is passionate about using his platform to provide visibility and support to the trans community and is excited to join the team at Point of Pride to create a greater impact.

Advisory Board

Blossom C. Brown

Blossom C. Brown

Pronouns: she/her

Blossom C. Brown is an actress, producer and activist. She is originally from the “Birthplace of Blues” in Greenwood, Mississippi. She got her degree in Public Health Education from Mississippi University for Women where she became the first openly black trans woman to graduate. Her story got the world’s attention when she appeared in Season 1 of Caitlyn Jenner’s docuseries “I Am Cait” and for her appearance on the Ellen Show in season 13. She currently lives in Los Angeles and works at a non-profit as a Prep Retention Navigator and is currently working on her documentary, “One Life to Blossom.”

Lydia X. Z. Brown

Lydia X. Z. Brown

Pronouns: they/them

Lydia X. Z. Brown (they/them) is a writer, public speaker, educator, trainer, consultant, advocate, community organizer, community builder, activist, scholar, and attorney. For over 15 years, they have worked to address and end interpersonal and state violence targeting disabled people, especially disabled people who are also members of other marginalized communities. They are the funder and leader of  The Autistic People of Color Fund in partnership with the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network. They have been featured in Amplifier's We The Future Campaign, People of Color Productions' docuseries I Identify As Me, and HBO Max's documentary Persona. They are also a past Gender+ Justice Initiative Fellow at Georgetown University and a Justice Catalyst Fellow at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. As an educator, Lydia teaches as an adjunct lecturer and core faculty in the Disability Studies Program and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Georgetown University, and as an adjunct professorial lecturer in the American Studies Program at American University’s Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies. Professionally, they work as Director of Public Policy at the National Disability Institute.

Jodie Patterson

Jodie Patterson

Pronouns: she/her

Jodie Patterson is a social activist, entrepreneur, writer, and author of The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation. She has been lauded for her activist work by Hillary Clinton, The Advocate, Family Circle, Essence, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo!, among others. She sits on the board of a number of gender/family/human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, and is a sought-after public speaker addressing a wide range of audiences about identity, gender, beauty, and entrepreneurship. Patterson was appointed by the United Nations as a Champion of Change and, perhaps most impressively, she is a former circus acrobat who performed in the Big Apple Circus. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she co-parents her five children with love, education, and family solidarity.

Erin Reed

Erin Reed

Pronouns: she/her

Erin Reed (she/her) is a transgender journalist based in Washington, D.C.. She tracks LGBTQ+ legislation around the United States for her subscription newsletter, ErinInTheMorning.com. Her work has been cited by the AP, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many more major media outlets. You can follow her on twitter and TikTok at @ErinInTheMorn.

Rey Resendez

Rey Resendez

Pronouns: they/he/she

Rey Resendez is a dedicated 2Spirit activist, community organizer, and advocate for marginalized communities. Holding a BA in Psychology from Hunter College, Rey embarked on their professional journey as a Program Coordinator at Gay Men's Health Crisis, focusing on transgender programming and community engagement initiatives. Rey collaborates with esteemed organizations and healthcare institutions such as The Phluid Project, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, ACLU, Hinge, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Northwell Health, and National Center for Transgender Equality. As an accomplished independent contractor, Rey specializes in conducting workplace inclusion trainings for educational institutions, non-profits, and corporate entities. Additionally, they facilitate behavioral health groups for Plume, a telehealth service dedicated to providing gender-affirming care.

Brian Michael Smith

Brian Michael Smith

Pronouns: he/him

Brian Michael Smith is an acclaimed actor and advocate known for his groundbreaking roles and commitment to transgender rights. Hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Brian's passion for storytelling led him to become the first Black openly trans man cast as a series regular on network television. His notable roles include Toine Wilkins in "Queen Sugar" and firefighter Paul Strickland in "9-1-1: Lone Star," celebrated for their depth and authenticity. Beyond acting, Brian's advocacy is driven by his personal experiences and the lack of authentic trans representation in media during his formative years. Brian's pioneering work and dedication make him a prominent figure in entertainment and the fight for transgender equality, inspiring change and fostering inclusivity.

Eden Rose Torres

Eden Rose Torres

Pronouns: she/her

Eden Rose Torres is an award-winning photographer. In 2016 in the wake of the Pulse shooting Eden founded the non-profit organization, Pride Portraits. She photographed and interviewed seven thousand LGBTQIA+ community members as well as allies for the visibility campaign. In her personal activism, Eden is unapologetic in the fight for transgender liberation. She has organized marches, rallies, and protests. Eden is often in the media speaking about the issues that the trans community face, particularly those which impact trans women of color.

Milo Vieland

Milo Vieland

Pronouns: he/him

Milo is an attorney focused on healthcare access and economic security.  Milo graduated from Northeastern University School of Law, where he was a Health Law Scholar; while in law school, he participated in the Poverty Law & Practice Clinic and interned with Legal Aid Chicago, Justice in Aging, and Legal Council. He earned his B.A. from Oberlin College.

We wish to thank past Advisory Board members:

  • Samantha Filoso
  • Hannah Graf
  • Queen Victoria Ortega