Our Team

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 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 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.

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. Based in Tucson, AZ, Jay enjoys teaching Yoga, community building, and taking long walks in the neighborhood.

Based in Houston, Texas, Abby brings two years of experience in care coordination and six years of personal experience navigating the trans healthcare landscape alongside her transgender husband, Ben. Abby is a committed student pursuing a psychology degree to serve the LGBTQ+ community as a mental health therapist. In her free time, she enjoys painting, family game nights, local adventures, and caring for her five rescue dogs. Abby and Ben dream of opening a dog rescue together.

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.

Lauren Lubin April is a Diversity, Equity, and Belonging advisor with a decade of experience advancing non-binary and transgender rights. They are a former Division 1 basketball player who spent many years as a player and a coach. They founded New York City's first non-binary-specific running group and became the first-ever openly non-binary runner to compete in the New York City Marathon in 2016.

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.

Liz has been working to help LGBTQ+ folks feel supported and affirmed for over fifteen 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 volunteers for Gender Spectrum and is part of a featured panel at SXSW 2019 on Going Beyond the Gender Binary.

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 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 is a PhD candidate in Philosophy and college-level instructor. 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 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.

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 (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 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 (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 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 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 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.