BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bryan McDonald
Head of Development & Partnerships
He/Him/His
San Francisco, CA
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I joined WayOUT to give others what I took for granted growing-up, affirming spaces and services that allow youth to develop and better understand who they are. WayOUT will empower organizations to create change in their local community by ensuring these spaces exist and developing services specific to the needs of their people.
Alexa Porges
Head of Impact
She/Her/Hers
New York, NY
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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
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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
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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.
Katie Fox
Head of Growth
She/Her/Hers
San Francisco, CA
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I joined wayOUT because I want to change the dialogue around what it means to grow up queer in the United States – a process that can be overwhelming, confusing, and chaotic. As LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionally affected by negative health outcomes, I hope to support organizations that help create and maintain environments that promote good health, empowerment, education, and all the good stuff for LGBTQ+ youth everywhere.
Brenden Kennedy
Head of Marketing
He/Him/His
Los Angeles, CA
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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
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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.
Allen Yang
Head of Operations
He/Him/His
New York, NY
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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.
