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.
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.
VIC MALDONADO
Program Coordinator
Vic Maldonado has been working with LGBTQ Saves the last year, and has met people that have become family to her. Working with youth and staff has been the utmost incredible experience; She wants to continue advocating in every way she can for LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide.
BERTINAND GARDNER
Community Outreach and Marketing Manager
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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AJ ALVARADO
Program Specialist
AJ does their best to set an example of love and respect as they bring awareness to the community they serve. It's their dedication to create a safe space through their hard work and ethics.
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.
PROGRAM LEADERS
FELIX BUI
Felix’s goal is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth without fear of judgement for their identity while building relationships with the youth. Additionally, Felix produces graphic designs to highlight SAVES’ program and encourage positivity throughout the LGBTQ+ community.
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.
LAURA PITILLO
Laura is a an elementary educator who has a passion for working with youth. She wants to help LGBTQ+ kids feel safe to be themselves and connect with each other by building queer community.
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.
LEE PAYTON
Lee is a parent and an advocate who believes everyone deserves a safe space to simply be themselves. Lee is working to get into medical school so he can advocate for our underserved communities and connect them to the quality care they deserve.
JULIA HULSE
Julia is a mama bear to her own two young-adult daughters and for all LGBTQ youth. She believes all kids need safe spaces to be themselves and feel loved, and strives to provide this in everything she does. She's also a hooman to the bestest kitty and dog, and a painter in her free time.
AMBASSADORS
ROSA MARIA BERDEJA
Rosa Maria has been an LGBTQ+ ally her entire life, having grown up with an LGBTQ+ brother. Her home has always been a safe haven for those that needed a place of love and acceptance. She is excited to be part of LGBTQ SAVES and help bring that same love and acceptance to LGBTQ+ youth throughout our community.
RHIANNON JONES
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.
TYLER LONG
Tyler is an educator and LGBTQ advocate that is passionate about supporting our queer youth through mentorship and bridging the generational gap in our community.
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SHANNON O'BRIEN
Shannon connected us with Elevate Credit through her work in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department as the Chair of its LGBTQ+ Network. She is a steadfast ally who strives to support LGBTQ+ youth improve the quality of their experience and promotes equality in its many forms.
CAITLYN DEVLIN
Catelyn Devlin (she/her) is a social worker, wife, mother, and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and families in the child welfare system and religious communities. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ youth seeing a future for themselves where they can be all of who they are in every area of society.
GREG HUGHES
Greg connected us with the Lockheed Martin Pride organization. Their members serve as examples of having survived adolescence and having prospered afterward.
ROSALINDA MARTINEZ
Rosalinda is a proud Latina, mom, educator, historian, blogger, art lover, community champion, author and advocate for equality & inclusion.
Her goal is to build a more inclusive world for our children, and she is so proud and excited to be an ambassador for the LGBTQ+ community!
TARA WILSON
Tara is an ER nurse and community advocate that wants to create a world where all youth including her own kids get to be their full authentic selves.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SARA FAIRLEY
Board Chair
Sara serves on the board 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.
BRANDON BRIGHT
Director
Brandon is a native of Fort Worth, TX, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2009 and later started working in the HIV field. Brandon has attended National Conferences such as Building Leaders of Color, Training Consumers on Quality, and received a Social Media scholarship to the 2019 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS. He is currently the Ending the HIV Epidemic Community Engagement Specialist for Tarrant County.
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.
SARA HERRERA
Director
Sara is an artist and educator. Sharing her love and passion for the arts, especially with youth, she feels is truly an honor and an opportunity not to be taken for granted.
JEN SARDUY
Director
Jen Sarduy (they/them) is a Black, queer parent and communications professional living in North Texas. They have a decade of experience organizing through liberatory narrative strategy, facilitation, and co-design. Passionate about people and their capacity to thrive when resourced, they work to change the way we think about our dreams, realities, and capacity to thrive.
DIANE VERSOCKI
Director
Diane was inspired by the passing of a friend during the AIDS crisis to get involved and wants to help provide housing, community resources, and loving support for all LGBTQ youth.
CHRIS BARTLEY
Director
Chris is a lay church professional and divinity school student. He is an advocate for inclusion and justice, and he wants our LGBTQ youth to have every possible opportunity to flourish.
CHRIS BUTLER
Director
Chris Butler has provided hope and opportunity in the nonprofit world for over twenty five years. He has been part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth for the last 16 years and his most recent role was that of Vice President of Operations. Chris is currently the Executive Director for The Parenting Center in Fort Worth.
BARBARA HEPTIG
Director
Barb is an attorney and ordained minister. She is passionate about LGBTQ inclusion in all areas of society and the church since she was a student at Brite Divinity School.
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.