STAFF
SHARON HERRERA
Founder and Executive Director
Sharon is a United States Air Force Veteran and leader in the Tarrant County LGBTQ community. She works closely with organizations to help educate on LGBTQ issues. Her reason for starting LGBTQ SAVES was and remains to save lives.
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EVELYN KINCAID
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Evvy has been striding for progressive causes by utilizing safe protests, media coverage, and more ever since she graduated high school. She now hopes to help youth in her community feel safe and heard through her professional life, too.
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REBECCA SEYMORE
Accountant
Rebecca has been an accountant for almost 20 years and believes in helping to make our community better any way she can.
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BERTINAND GARDNER
Program Director
Bertie is an LGBTQ+ advocate who seeks to empower youth through community development. Knowing the importance of community and representation, he seeks to provide programming that allows LGBTQ+ youth the ability to truly be themselves.
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KARLA LOTT
Volunteer Coordinator
Karla is currently a graduate student working towards a collaborate degree with Brite Divinity School and TCU's Master's of Social Work Program. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, baking, crafting, snuggling with her pets, and spending time with friends and family. Because she herself struggled to find acceptance as a queer youth, she is passionate about affirming the next generation of queer youth and helping them to see how wonderful they are!
PROGRAM LEADERS
LISA EARLEY
Lisa is a tireless educator and proud mother of two LGBTQ daughters. She provides a safe space for students and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work.
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REBECCA MCDONELL
Rebecca is a mother of three and the grandmother of six. Her belief is what we pour in to our children is what they will pour out to the world, why not pour in unconditional love? Rebecca's adage is to have the courage to be your own kind of beautiful.
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MICHAEL SANDERS
Michael is a dedicated secondary science teacher with a passion for fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. They joined SAVES to be a mentor for LGBTQ youth, offering guidance, understanding, and a safe space for their personal and educational growth.
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JULIA HULSE
Julia is a native Texan, but she lived her whole life in Colorado until she moved back to Texas in 2021. She has a bachelors degree in sociology, but these days, she works in the legal support field. Julia has been a fierce mama bear to her own young-adult LGBTQ+ cubs, and now she's extending that care and advocacy to the youth of LGBTQ SAVES. She lives in Weatherford with her doggo, Shiloh, and her kitty, Peeve.
RAINEY MURRELL
Rainey (she/her) has her bachelor’s degree in Food Management from TCU. Rainey is honored to be an involved with SAVES and loves being a safe space for the youth. Building trust and connections with members and volunteers alike has come such an important part of her life. She enjoys yoga, cooking, traveling, crafting, and is often found cuddling with her cat Clementine.
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CONSULTANTS
SARA FAIRLEY-LUNA
Consultant
Sara serves to support Tarrant County youth and to challenge her hometown to love all those who call this city home. She is a global citizen and change agent.
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WHITNEY WOOD JUAREZ
Fundraising Consultant
Whitney (she/her) has a passion for connecting with others and creating safe, inclusive spaces which drives both her real-estate work and her commitment to nonprofit service.
Whitney is proud to support LGBTQ+ youth and advocate for a more welcoming community. Outside of advocacy, Whitney enjoys yoga, traveling, and spending time with her fur babies.
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JENNIFER MURILLO
Volunteering Consultant
Jennifer Murillo (she/her) volunteers with the Intertribal Community Council of Texas, where she helps educate and raise awareness about Native American history and current Indigenous programs.
She also continues her passion for performance through work in film and television, with appearances in "Match Me If You Can", "Fear the Walking Dead", "1883", "Bass Reeves", "Landman", and season two of "Lioness".
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As a pansexual mom of an omnisexual, demi-masculine child, Jennifer brings a deep love of diversity and inclusion to LGBTQ SAVES. She is dedicated to raising awareness, inspiring donations, and encouraging volunteer support, helping LGBTQIA+ youth feel safe, celebrated, and empowered to be their true selves.​
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LISA ESTRADA
Fundraising Consultant
Lisa believes that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Throughout her life, She has been continually inspired by the strength, resilience, and authenticity of the LGBTQ+ community because of their courage in the face of adversity.
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JEROME LAREZ
Grant Writing Consultant
Jerome Morales Larez, a distinguished leader in community advocacy and a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, translates his education into meaningful contributions through pivotal roles such as founder of Arttitude and Managing Director at Dune's LGBT Homeless Solutions Foundation. His leadership fosters inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, propelling Arttitude as a beacon of cultural acceptance and innovatively aiding homeless LGBTQ+ individuals with essential resources.
ELIZABETH TURNER
Fundraising Consultant
Elizabeth Turner (she/her) grew up in East Texas and attended UT Arlington and Texas Woman's University for respective master degrees in information systems and library science. She has worked in the IT and finance industries most of her career and has a huge heart for volunteering.
Formerly appointed by the Smithsonian Libraries to serve as a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Knowledge Management chapter, she has traveled the world speaking to audiences of hundreds of modern information professionals.
After concluding her service with IFLA, she found out about LGBTQ SAVES in 2023 and has been involved in multiple events and programs supporting a community where all youth are safe. Liz currently resides in NW Fort Worth with her partner, an energetic puppy, 3 rescue cats, and a bearded dragon.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHERYL FARMER
Treasurer
Cheryl has a background in school district purchasing and served in leadership roles, including treasurer, at her church. She loves camping and backyard get-togethers.
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SANDY MARTINEZ
Secretary
Sandy Martinez Russell believes that love comes in many different forms and should be expressed in a variety ways. Whether it’s a smile or a random act of kindness, do it with a full heart. No one should go a day without expressing some form of gratitude before the end of the night, because moments in life are precious. ​​
LASHONDA THOMAS
Director
LaShonda is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has experience with LGBTQ youth support groups. She encourages acceptance, authenticity, and honesty.
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REV. RHI JONES
Board Chair
Rhi is a retired educator and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community who wants to help create a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth where they feel accepted and valued for their authentic selves. She is committed to helping LGBTQ+ youth grow and thrive and live their lives to the fullest as their most powerful and complete selves.
CANDICE PUENTE
Director
Candice Puente (she/her) is an enthusiastic and devoted LGBTQ+ advocate who dedicates time to help, educate, and serve the community. She is a Project Coordinator at Quorum Architects, where she works closely with the Multi- Family Housing team to assist housing authorities meet standard codes, address funding issues, and oversee specifics for construction projects. During her free time, she shares her love for broadcast, music, and entertainment across Fort Worth as “DJ CP.”
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