Brent Wright
Director of Programs
Brent Wright
Director of Programs
Brent Wright has championed the cause of high-quality service options for families for over 20 years. His roles have included special education teacher, child care center director, career advisor, early intervention specialist. As Director of Programs for the Family Equality Council, Mr. Wright is currently responsible for coordinating direct-service offerings, designed to support LGBT parents, their children, extended family members and the allied community. In addition to larger-scale annual program venues like Family Week in Provincetown, the Midwest Family Equality Conference in Minnesota, and the Families in the Desert weekend in Palm Springs, Mr. Wright’s department also provides support to local LGBT family groups, connecting them to resources and further building community. Mr. Wright and his partner are parents themselves, to a two year-old daughter, Olivia.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 231
brent.wright@familyequality.org
Becky Sniderman
Executive Assistant
Becky Sniderman
Executive Assistant
Becky Sniderman joined the Family Equality Council team in September 2010 as an Executive Assistant. In her role, she provides administrative support to the Executive Director, organizes and coordinates quarterly board meetings, serves as a leader on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, runs the Boston office's internship program, and is the Chair of the Fun Committee. Becky is a summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brandeis University, where she earned her B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy. After graduating, she was a Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholar, working as a fellow for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and studying health policy with a focus on minority health and underserved populations. In her time outside of the office, she sings in two local Boston choruses, collects unique jewelry, and loves cuddling with the dogs in her life.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x234
becky.sniderman@familyequality.org
Mel Rexroad
Midwest Regional Manager
Mel Rexroad
Midwest Regional Manager
Melanie comes to Family Equality Council with a background in Libraries and a passion for LGBT family equality – She has a BA from Kennesaw State University and an MA from the University of West Georgia. Mel’s job as Midwest Regional Manager is to represent Family Equality Council at various events in the Midwest and plan events for our families – monthly potlucks, a Halloween Dance, Family Camp, and the Midwest Family Equality Conference. Mel is a single mom to 4 ½ year old twins, Avery and Stella, and in her “free time” enjoys reading and running.
Contact Info
612.823.2000
mel.rexroad@familyequality.org
Andra Oshinsky
Program Events Associate
Andra Oshinsky
Program Events Associate
For almost ten years, Andra has been planning and participating in events, trainings, and direct service to build community, promote diversity and inclusion, and support anti-oppression goals. Andra earned a BA in Public Advocacy & Rhetoric and Media Studies from Northeastern University, while serving as a leader for many campus organizations including the university’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance. At Family Equality Council, Andra supports local parent groups across the country, develops local events for LGBT parents & prospective parents, and assists with the program planning of national community events including Family Week. Andra has studied in France, interned in England, conducted research in Australia – and hopes to see much more of the world!
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 226
andra@familyequality.org
Jack Nguyen
IT Associate
Jack Nguyen
IT Associate
Hello World! My name is Jack Nguyen. I graduated from University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Management of Information Systems. I currently work as an IT associate at Family Equality Council. Outside of work, I’ve been training myself on table tennis, in the hopes of smashing the “World-Ball” to the right place.
Contact Info
617-502-8700 ext 233
jnguyen@familyequality.org
Jen Meyers-Light
Director of Development
Jen Meyers-Light
Director of Development
Jen Meyers-Light joined Family Equality Council as the Director of Development in 2008 and is responsible for fundraising for the organization. Jen’s career spans both the private and non-profit sectors, including strategy, operations, marketing, sales and development. Prior to her work at Family Equality Council, Jen worked as Center Director for Planned Parenthood League of MA and managed the operations of the Worcester Health Center, managed a local Advisory Committee, led the project to relocate the Worcester Center, and developed funds for a capital campaign in support of that initiative. Jen holds a BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Cornell University and an MBA from Boston University. Jen and her spouse, Jeff Meyers-Light, reside in Jamaica Plain, MA with their two sons and a dog.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 225
jen.meyers-light@familyequality.org
Jeremiah McCarthy
Events Associate
Jeremiah McCarthy
Events Associate
Jeremiah McCarthy is the Events Associate for the Family Equality Council. After graduating from Stonehill College in 2010, with BA's in Mediated Communications and Studio Art, Jeremiah went on to serve as a volunteer teacher on the island of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, teaching World History and Visual Art to high school juniors. In his spare time Jeremiah enjoys hiking, painting and attending local open-houses.
Contact Info
(617) 502-8704
jmccarthy@familyequality.org
Steve Majors
Director of Communications
Steve Majors
Director of Communications
Steve Majors is the Director of Communications for the Family Equality Council. Steve’s media relations experience was honed by 20 years of experience in local, cable and network television news. He also served as Vice President of a public relations firm in New Orleans. He and his partner Todd live in Takoma Park, Maryland with their two daughters, Claudia and Shoshana.
Contact Info
202.664.0079
steve.majors@familyequality.org
Bill Lorenz
Director of Finance & Administration
Bill Lorenz
Director of Finance & Administration
Bill Lorenz is the Director of Finance and Administration for Family Equality Council. Prior to joining Family Equality Council in 2009, Bill served 10 years as Finance manager for Planned Parenthood League of MA. In 2011, Bill and his partner adopted two children from foster care and live in Nahant, MA along with their dogs Harold and Delilah. When he isn’t spending time with his family, Bill enjoys painting, handcrafting jewelry, and obsessing over every single show on Bravo TV.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 227
bill.lorenz@familyequality.org
Elaine Lee
Annual Fund Manager
Elaine Lee
Annual Fund Manager
Elaine graduated from Dartmouth College in 2008, with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Chinese. After graduation, she worked as the Programming Coordinator in Dartmouth’s Office of Pluralism & Leadership. She joined Family Equality in January of 2010 as the Events Associate. As the current Annual Fund Manager, Elaine oversees all fundraising events and the Direct Appeal program. In her free time, Elaine enjoys hanging out with her awesome niece and nephew as well as thinking about food, making food and eating food.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 228
elaine.lee@familyequality.org
Lis Hulin
Database Administrator
Lis Hulin
Database Administrator
Lis Hulin has worked at Family Equality Council since 2010, maintaining the database and creating systems to solve information-related problems. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Boston University and before joining the Family Equality team was a Research and Communications Fellow at the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now. In her free time, Lis collects small Buddhas, draws elaborate maps and reads about Richard III.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 221
lis.hulin@familyequality.org
Riane Herlihy
Development Assistant
Riane Herlihy
Development Assistant
Riane Herlihy joined the Family Equality Council team in January 2011 as an Events Intern. She loved the work so much that she joined the fulltime staff in July as a Development Assistant. Before coming to the organization, Riane earned her B.A. in English with a concentration in Writing from Plymouth State University and worked for a few years as both a Restaurant Manager and Production Assistant at a small publishing house. In her free time Riane loves laughing, taking photographs, and talking politics.
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 230
rherlihy@familyequality.org
Emily Hecht-McGowan
Director of Public Policy
Emily Hecht-McGowan
Director of Public Policy
Emily Hecht-McGowan is the Director of Public Policy for Family Equality Council. Previously she served as the Legal Director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network where she assisted service members impacted by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and related forms of discrimination. Prior to her time with SLDN, Emily was the Assistant Section Director for the American Bar Association’s Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities where she spearheaded the ABA’s civil rights, human rights and social justice policy work. Emily holds a BA in History from American University and a JD from the Columbus School of Law. She lives in Takoma Park, MD with her wife and their two four-legged children, pups Ellie and Cleo.
Contact Info
202.496.1285
emily.hecht@familyequality.org
Heron Greenesmith
Legislative Counsel
Heron Greenesmith
Legislative Counsel
Heron Greenesmith is Legislative Council for the Family Equality Council. She is a graduate of American University, Washington College of Law, with a strong background in LGBT advocacy. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine and has written on several topics, including transgender workplace discrimination and the invisibility of bisexuality. Heron lives in Washington, DC with her partner Daniel and their cat Tom Servo and enjoys cooking, reading, and crocheting.
Contact Info
202.496.1285
heron.greenesmith@familyequality.org
Sean Carlson
New Media Manager
Sean Carlson
New Media Manager
Sean Carlson is the New Media Manager for the Family Equality Council. Sean has a dynamic background in grassroots organizing, digital strategy, and online engagement as well as a background in orchestral music. He and his fiance Jamie live in Washington, DC with their dog Eli.
Contact Info
202.496.1285
sean.carlson@familyequality.org
Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director
Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director
Under Jennifer Chrisler's leadership, Family Equality Council has grown into the leading policy advocate on federal and state issues that impact today's modern families, including foster care and adoption, safe schools, family medical leave, parenting protections, domestic partnership and marriage. Her extensive nonprofit management skills are derived from her years of experience as a fundraising consultant, finance director and director of corporate communications in political organizations and LGBT groups. Chrisler received the 2011 Urban Angel Award from the New York Theological Seminary, and has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign and the Massachusetts Freedom to Marry Coalition. She was also recognized as a "Prime Mover" by the Hunt Alternatives Foundation for her work as a national social justice leader. Chrisler earned her Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education from Smith College. She and her spouse, former Massachusetts State Senator Cheryl Jacques, are parents to twins, Tim and Tom. - Read more
Contact Info
617.502.8700 x 222
director@familyequality.org
Board of Directors
Family Equality Council Board of Directors
Alan Bernstein (Chair)
Nick Scandalios (Vice-Chair)
Bryan Carr (Treasurer)
Kim Bergman (Secretary)
John Armantrout
Casey Bloys
Anthony Chiafullo
Mark Corpron
Chris Daniel
Alex Habib
Brad Kolb
Nancy Lyons
Jamie Marks
Tim Meyer
Brian Sheerin
William Sherr
David Spector
Tommy Starling
Sonny Ward
Midwest Advisory Council
Melissa Curran-Moore
Monica Devers
Ann Kaner-Roth
Kris Maul
Heather McCarl
Kevin Miller
Janice Vassar
Family Equality Council Emeritus Board
Alex Habib (Co-Chair)
Rob Keeling (Co-Chair)
Allison Bauer
Kenneth Blakeley
Amity Pierce Buxton
Chris Caldwell
Gregg Cartagine
Scott Davenport
John Dubrow
Will Halm
Joyce Kauffman
Sue Marriott
John Nicoli
David H. Wall
Damon Wolf
Ken Weissenberg
Bill Zachs