BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Zac Peeples
Head of Growth
He/Him/His
Los Angeles, CA
I've always been an ally, but my connection to the LGBTQ+ community became personal in 2009 when my brother told me he's transgender. He was fortunate to come out into a family and community that loved him regardless of his sexuality or gender identity, but many aren't so lucky. I want to work towards a world without "privilege" - everybody should be accepted and loved for who they are.
Alexa Porges
Head of Impact
She/Her/Hers
New York, NY
Being queer is one of my favorite things about myself, and my dream is for every single LGBTQ+ youth in America to feel the same way. I feel lucky to have found WayOUT because this organization gives me the opportunity to make that dream a reality.
Amy Reams
President Emeritus
She/Her/Hers
Seattle, WA
Queer Youth are our future and it is our job to ensure they can grow up being safe, and their most authentic selves. There are so many amazing people and organizations taking the weight of the world on and helping to ensure this is a reality for every single gender or sexual minority in their community. I joined wayOUT to ensure these leaders get the support they need and to do everything we can to keep them going and keep them thriving
Eric Armstrong
Head of Finance
He/Him/His
San Francisco, CA
Coming out was an incredibly difficult process even living in urban centers with extensive LGBTQ+ resources and support networks. I’m so proud to be part of wayOUT’s efforts to tap into and extend these resources to youth in less accepting parts of the country who need it most.
Becky Heller
Head of Partnerships
She/Her/Hers
New York, NY
Seeing a close friend struggle to come out to family forced me to think about what it means to be an ally, and to me that means supportive action. I joined wayOUT because LGBTQ+ youth deserve access to safe, self-affirming spaces, and the tools to thrive as their authentic self, regardless of where they grow-up, and I’m honored to be a small part of extending these lifesaving resources.
Brenden Kennedy
Head of Marketing
He/Him/His
Los Angeles, CA
My coming out story could have been a tragic one had it not been for the support of my community. That is why I am so honored to be a part of wayOUT— it is built on the idea that communities supporting each other moves us all forward. By showing our love for one another, we as a community prove time and again that acceptance and belonging comes in many forms and that by empowering LGBTQ+ youth, the possibilities of the future are endless.
Jessi Waters
President
She/Her/Hers
New York, NY
I joined wayout because I want to live in a world where people are encouraged to be the truest version of themselves, where uniqueness and authenticity in every form is celebrated. Sadly this isn’t the reality for too many LGBTQ+ youth and wayOUT is committed to amplifying and supporting the work required to drive change.
Jonah Wieder
Head of Community
He/Him/His
New York, NY
Though I am fortunate to have had a really positive coming out experience, coming to terms with my identity was still a challenge for me. I know that there are so many LGBTQ+ kids who are experiencing far greater challenges than I did in being who they are in their communities. I joined WayOut to ensure all LGBTQ+ kids have access to safety and identity-affirming spaces, so they can thrive in their authenticity.
Allen Yang
Head of Operations
He/Him/His
New York, NY
I joined wayOUT after hearing about it from a classmate and seeing what the organization could do at the first ever NYC Gayla. I consider myself incredibly fortunate, but recent world and national events were a jarring reminder that not everywhere was like the bubble I live in. I hope to help wayOUT grow so that every LGBTQ youth feels like they have the support and resources to be who they are.