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Board of Trustees

Joseph Clementi

As a co-founder of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, Joseph Clementi has worked tirelessly to share the story of his personal loss with public audiences at a variety of organizations. Joseph, a New Jersey-based civil engineer, is the proud father of Tyler Clementi, and the loss of his son has put Joseph’s life on a course of activism for LGBT and vulnerable youth across the United States. Having come of age in an era where the capabilities of modern technology (social networking websites, webcams, cell phones, camera phones, etc.) didn’t exist, Joseph had his entire world changed when he learned of the ways in which technology intensifies and exacerbates the issues around youth bullying. Additionally, Joseph has been affected in a very personal manner by the ways in which targeting someone because of their sexual orientation can be especially harmful to the victim. Joseph is speaking out because he wants to use his experience as an educational tool and a way to help reach other people who struggle with feeling isolated, uncared for or misunderstood in schools and homes, the areas where they should feel most valued. The primary message that he wants to spread is his goal of turning “Bystanders into Upstanders.” His view is that there are three people involved in any type of bullying situation: the bully, the victim, and the bystander who sees it but does nothing to help. Joseph wants to share his message that bystanders to hostile behavior have an obligation to get involved and defend those who are targeted. Joseph has spoken out at a number of institutions, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Long Island Child Abuse Protection Services, Rutgers University 2011 Symposium and CONTACT We Care Suicide Hotline’s 2012 Annual Gala.

Jane Clementi

Jane Clementi co-founded the Tyler Clementi Foundation alongside husband Joe because she wants to make sure that our society learns the consequences of discrimination and bullying, as she learned all too personally through the loss of her son. A native of New Jersey and devoted mother of three sons, Jane speaks passionately to parents and community leaders about the need to not merely “accept” or “tolerate” children who come out as LGBT, but to embrace them as wondrous creations of God. Jane, a registered nurse, speaks on the need for parents of LGBT children to come out and speak openly of the love they have for their children, and in doing so each one of us can impact the world around us and create accepting environments. Since losing Tyler, Jane’s spiritual journey has continued to carry and transform her in ways she never would have imagined. She left her church home of many years because she felt that while sitting in the pews of a church that condemned LGBT people she was herself a bystander to bullying. Jane leads an inspirational life through her unique experience which she shares with other parents, and speaks passionately about the need to divorce the concept of “sin” from homosexuality. She has made difficult choices in an impossible situation, and leads by example. She has spoken out in support of LGBT rights and the need for families and communities to embrace their LGBT populations. Jane has spoken at BNP Paribas Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a variety of universities including The College of New Jersey, high schools and churches.

Laura Birk

Laura Birk is the Vice President of Human Resources for Barilla America where she has been for over 9 years. Laura is responsible for all the talent management and people processes supporting the Americas business which includes the Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. She is a Board Member for the company, and has the pleasure to serve over 500 employees in the Americas. Laura’s leads a great team who has won several industry awards for wellness, employee benefits, and talent management and development activities. She received her degree from Drury University and prior to her current role, Laura spent 9 years at Morgan Stanley.

Peter Drake

Peter Drake graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Business School, and owned a consulting firm to the non-profit industry. He also worked in Banking, Marketing, and Real Estate. Peter has served on many non-profit boards, and now volunteers through his COIL Foundation (www.coilfoundation.org). He came out in 2009 as a gay man after a long straight marriage, and has two adult children, both of whom are gay. With a strong personal faith, Peter dedicates his time and experience to helping organizations which support Coming Out Into Light: celebrating LGTBQ social justice and faith in an authentic way. Peter has appeared on the Dr. Oz show, testified in the California State Senate, and serves on the board of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the Grace Cathedral, and the Tyler Clementi Foundation. His passion for music led him to envision “Tyler’s Suite,” and he was central to commissioning this powerful song cycle. Peter makes his home in San Francisco, and travels extensively.

Alan S. Buie-King

Alan is the president and chief operating officer of Workplace Options, a global employee well-being company providing emotional, physical, and practical support to more than 46 million people worldwide. He is highly regarded as an innovator and visionary by the international business community for his professional accomplishments, and known as a champion of social and political progress by the LGBT community for his efforts to advance an equal rights agenda. Living in North Carolina, Alan is a founding member of both the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the largest community organization of its kind in the state, and Out! Raleigh, one of the Southeast’s largest celebrations of LGBT life. He is also currently on the board of Equality NC, a statewide organization dedicated to securing equality and justice for LGBT people.

Trisha Prabhu

Trisha Prabhu is a 16-year-old high school student, innovator, social-entrepreneur and inventor of ReThink – an effective way to stop cyberbullying. ReThink is a non-intrusive, innovative, patented software product that stops cyberbullying before the bullying occurs. Inspired by the news story of the death of an 11-year old girl that committed suicide because she was repeatedly cyberbullied, Trisha took on the cause to find a solution to stop cyberbullying.Trisha has travelled the world spreading the ReThink message at global platforms such as TEDxTeen(London), TEDxGateway(Mumbai), The White house Science fair (Washington D.C.), Aspen Ideas festival (Aspen, CO), La Ciudad De Las Ideas (Mexico) and various national and international forums, schools and universities. Trisha was selected as a Global Teen Leader by We Are Family Foundation. She has won several awards for her effort – including the “Global Anti-bullying Hero award” (student) and Anti-bullying Champion award from Princess Diana Awards, UK. She was also awarded Daily Points of Light award for extraordinary volunteering from President George H W Bush’s foundation and Upstander Legacy Award from Tyler Clementi foundation. Trisha was selected as Global Finalist at world-wide Google Science Fair competition 2014 and winner of the MIT Inspire 2016 Award for her ReThink product. Trisha was recently invited by the White House and the US State Department as an honored guest and delegate to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2016 in Silicon Valley.Trisha has successfully rolled out ReThink on Android and iOS devices as a free app. She is currently working tirelessly to roll-out the ReThink app to every mobile device and desktop computer in schools and communities at no cost to them. In order to engage her fellow adolescents in the ReThink movement, Trisha has created a ReThink Ambassador Program where students can become ambassadors and spread the ReThink movement at their schools to conquer cyberbullying.

Neil Giacobbi

Neil Giacobbi is associate vice president for public affairs at AT&T. Based in New York City, Neil develops campaigns that position AT&T in the New York market as thought leader applying mobile technologies for human, social and community purpose. His first collaboration between app developers and the New York transit authority, the MTA, pioneered transit apps for riders and system operators. Another initiative with the NYC Department of Transportation sourced smartphone technologies helping pedestrians, cyclists and drivers stay alert on crowded urban streets. And in 2015, in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Neil created AT&T’s Connect Ability global innovation contest to source mobile technologies serving people with disabilities. This year Neil is building a collaboration with AT&T and the Tyler Clementi Foundation to produce valuable research surveying teens and parents on Internet safety that includes teen-made films about risky online behavior. The New York City campaigns help AT&T build coalitions, attract talent, articulate through earned media AT&T’s corporate citizenship and build goodwill with policy makers, higher education and the tech community.

Robin Dillard

Robin Dillard, a business equality advocate and supplier diversity expert, is CEO and Managing Principal of The Business Equality Network (BEQ) and Publisher of Business Equality Pride (BEQ Pride) magazine.
The Business Equality Network (BEQ) is a group of strategic media, consulting, research and business accelerators committed to reaching and empowering LGBTQ, women, minority and other underrepresented, underserved and underutilized business communities. BEQ leverages its dedicated communication platforms to facilitate an increase in cross-sector (public, private, civil society) engagement of diverse professionals, business-owners and entrepreneurs.

Prior to BEQ, Robin co-founded Affinity Inc Magazine. Affinity Inc Magazine was the first national publication solely dedicated to LGBT equality in business. During her tenure at Affinity Inc Magazine, Dillard championed the national LGBT business voice with the support of brands like American Airlines, Apple, Chevron, EY, IBM and United Airlines. Dillard also created the Top Corporations for LGBT Economic Empowerment list, recognizing 100 large employers for their contribution to the well-being of LGBT businesses and employees.

Robin is a former IBM management consultant, federal civil servant with the Internal Revenue Service and inventor of System and Method for Outcomes-based Delivery of Services, US 20070143159 A1- USPTO, 2007 (patent pending).

She is also a six-time marathoner, an HRC Athlete for Equality, member of the Board Trustees of the Elisabeth Morrow School, Board Member of TurnOut and a portraitist. Robin is a graduate of Chatham College with a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University. She lives in Englewood, NJ, with her husband and daughter.

Kevin Carroll

Kevin Carroll is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Kevin was at Goldman Sachs for over 12 years as a Private Wealth Advisor and member of the prestigious PWM Advisory Council.

Kevin hails originally from the Midwest, where he grew up in Chicago. He obtained his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Notre Dame and upon graduation immediately went to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers where he covered a variety of Fortune 500 accounts as a CPA. He eventually became a manager at PwC. Kevin then opted to pursue business school, obtaining his MBA from Wharton.

Kevin joined the board of TCF in November 2016. Kevin also serves as a board member of NOVA Hope for Haiti as well as The Chris Lary Memorial Fund of the Alliance for Catholic Education at Notre Dame. He is also actively involved with Facing History & Ourselves, most recently serving as a board member in Chicago for over ten years. Kevin is a resident of Manhattan and makes his home in the West Village

Caryn Reed-Hendon, Ph.D.

Caryn Reed-Hendon, Ph.D. is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB). At OUWB, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office for Diversity & Inclusion, underrepresented in medicine student recruitment, pre-med mentoring, and pipeline programs. In her role she has created community partnerships with Cranbrook Horizons Upward Bound, Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, and the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program. Her role in the medical school has allowed her to build bridges among the School of Education and Human Services, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Nursing, the School of Health Sciences, Pre-College Programs, and the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, as a means to get new and current students interested in careers in health promotion, STEM and education.

Prior to her role at the medical school, she was employed at the University of Michigan-Dearborn where she served as Assistant Director for Orientation Programs for over five years. She has over ten years of higher education experience specifically in the area of Student Affairs. She has served on a number of professional educational committees and has worked collaboratively to present materials at regional and national conferences. Ms. Reed Hendon’s memberships include: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.- Rho Sigma chapter, National Association of Medical Minority Educators, and King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellows.

Dr. Reed-Hendon obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her Master of Arts Degree from Eastern Michigan University. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Oakland University in 2013.

Vikrum Vishnubhakta, MBA, MPH

Vikrum Vishnubhakta, MBA, MPH, was born and raised in Wisconsin to Indian immigrants. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with an Honors designation and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Finance, both at the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Vishnubhakta received a MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and completed his MBA at the Columbia Business School. As the Managing Director at Forward Consultants, the firm he helped start in 2009, Mr. Vishnubhakta has conducted several evaluation analyses and developed programs centered on improving maternal and child health, adolescent health, and health for individuals with one or more chronic conditions. An avid pianist, cyclist, runner, sailor, and skier, he currently lives in New York and identifies as LGBT.

Andrew Bear

Andrew Bear lives in Los Angeles and is the co-founder of Oui Productions, a full service photo and video production company providing personalized production support to companies across the globe. He works with high profile clients producing content for fashion brands, print publications, and advertising agencies.

Originally from the Seacoast of New Hampshire, Andrew graduated from Emerson College, majoring in performing arts and business.

Passionate about giving back, Andrew led teams to fundraise for SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to advance safety and well being of animals as well as The Jimmy Fund (Dana-Farber) in the fight against children’s cancer. Specifically, he was instrumental in organizing several benefit concerts on the seacoast.

In his spare time, he enjoys music, producing comedy shorts with friends, hiking, and traveling the world.

Andrew is looking forward to spreading the word about the Tyler Clementi Foundation to friends and colleagues on the West Coast.

Mitchell Gold

Mitchell Gold, co-founder and Chair-man of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, is a different kind of man running a very different kind of business. In every aspect of his personal and business life, he strives to make a difference. Founded in 1989, the company based its manufacturing in rural Taylorsville, NC, and remains there today with a modern factory, warehouse and distribution center with close to one million square feet of space to support the brand’s growing retail, wholesale and contract/hospitality sectors.

In addition to running a multi-million-dollar company, Mitchell co-founded Faith in America; a nonprofit that educates people about the harm religious intolerance causes LGBT Americans, especially vulnerable teens. In addition to serving on the Board of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for seven years, he currently serves on the Board of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces and faith communities in the United States. Recently Faith in America and The Tyler Clementi Foundation joined forces to end religious-based bullying.

Danielle Malloy

As Director of Marketing Solutions for Brand Partnerships at Chegg, Inc., Danielle Malloy is responsible for developing digital and experiential programs that connect Fortune 500 brands with the youth market, particularly high school and college students. Chegg is the leading digital platform dedicated to helping millions of students succeed from the moment they start thinking about college through the time they land their first job out of college. Danielle thrives on leveraging data and insights about what matters most to students to help advertisers establish meaningful and mutually rewarding connections with them online and on campus. Last year, she worked with the Tyler Clementi Foundation and Rutgers University to promote the #Day1 campaign by producing and delivering 5,600 boxes of first year essentials to incoming freshmen. The #Day1 box included items sourced from Chegg’s brand partners, #Day1 promotional materials, and information about various resources at Rutgers University to help new students transition to college.

Staff

Jason Cianciotto, Executive Director

The image of black plastic garbage bags, overstuffed with his belongings piled on the front porch of his home, is forever etched in Jason’s mind. After years of experiencing bullying at school, “ex-gay therapy,” and rejection from his church, Jason’s mother and stepfather kicked him out onto the streets when he was a teenager. That journey led him to dedicate his life to advocating for and healing LGBT populations and other stigmatized minorities, while ensuring the next generation is nurtured with dignity and acceptance.

After earning his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Arizona, Jason joined the team at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute. As Research Director, he authored the first-ever analyses of U.S. Census data on the impact of anti-LGBT laws and policies on Hispanic/Latino same-sex couple families and their children, created and co-authored Youth in the Crosshairs: The Third Wave of Ex-Gay Activism, and conceived and managed the production of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness, which helped procure the first-ever federal funding for shelters serving LGBT youth. He also became an issue expert and agency spokesperson featured on MSNBC, The Hallmark Channel, and in the New York Times.

As Executive Director of Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center, Jason helped procure multi-year, federal funding for youth and anti-violence programs, and he co-led the coalition in the only county to defeat Arizona’s 2008 anti-marriage ballot measure. He stewarded the agency through the beginning of the Great Recession with a strategic restructuring plan that reduced expenses by over 60%, maintained core, grant-funded programs, and helped raise $25K in new grant funding to explore merging with sister LGBT and HIV/AIDS agencies.

As an author and consultant focused on applied research, government affairs, and policy advocacy, Jason co-authored with Sean Cahill LGBT Youth in America’s Schools, published by the University of Michigan Press. The book was named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title by the Association of College and Research Libraries, included in the Rainbow List of Recommended Books for Adults by the American Library Association, and was nominated for a Stonewall Book Award from the GLBT Roundtable of the American Library Association. He also conducted original, qualitative and quantitative research and analyses of U.S.-based nonprofits interested in new State Department funding to support LGBT populations abroad.

At Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), Jason served as Director of Public Affairs and Policy, as well as Managing Director of Special Events and Major Gifts. He helped raise over $600K in multi-year funding from the Ford and MAC AIDS foundations and helped procure over $1.91M in New York City Council discretionary and initiative funding. He led and worked in coalitions that advanced policy and budget priorities of New York State’s Plan to End AIDS by 2020 and created New York’s meningitis vaccination law. With his husband, Courter Simmons, Jason also created and produced The GMHC Annual Howard Ashman Award and Benefit Cabaret in 2013 and 2014. Awardees included Howard Ashman (posthumous) and Terrence McNally, celebrated by Broadway star performers including Tyne Daly, Marin Mazzie, Jerry Mitchell, and Chita Rivera. Jason also represented GMHC in media, including the Associated Press, CBS Morning News, Chelsea Now, and WNYC radio.

Prior to his tenure at the Tyler Clementi Foundation, Jason served as Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at Harlem United. There, he helped procure over $300,000 in New York City Council discretionary and initiative funding, helped increase federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funding by $21M, and created a new, client-led grassroots advocacy program that reduced measures of internalized HIV stigma by nearly 30%. He grew the agency’s press list by 435%, Facebook page likes by 195%, and Twitter followers by 26%, with social media engagement rates nearly double the nonprofit industry average. He managed Swallow This, a corporate-funded, $300K PrEP education campaign that generated 75M print and 4.3M digital ad and video impressions, with over 33K webpage visits. He also represented the agency in media, including the Advocate, Mic.com, NBC News, and Rolling Stone.

Jason lives in Queens, NY with his husband, son, and two of the most well-traveled cats that ever lived.
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James Clementi, Outreach Coordinator

James Clementi is the oldest brother of Tyler Clementi. The loss of his brother was a life-altering event for James, and sent him on a path of activism for bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and LGBT rights. Like his brother Tyler, James is gay. The core part of his message is the equality of LGBT people in our society and the devastating consequences of bullying on our young people. Bullying that happens face-to-face and online through social media has become an epidemic among our youth. James is focused on reaching out to LGBT and vulnerable youth, using Tyler’s story as a tool to reinforce the inherent value of each life. Respect, love and equality are the key components of his message. James envisions a youth culture where kindness is cool, and respect is the norm. James has written about his experience for Out Magazine, spoken at events such as the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles’ First Annual Voice Awards as well as television programs Anderson Cooper 360 and Rock Center with Brian Williams, and has blogged about bullying in The Huffington Post.

Christine Young, Director of Development

Bio coming soon!

Victor Tellez Cabrera, Operations Manager

After growing up in the Central Mexico, Victor graduated from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. There he obtained a Bachelors of Science in International Business with a minor in Finance. While participating in an exchange program in Montpellier, France as part of his degree, he worked with the chamber of commerce in Montpellier as a liaison to companies in France and Latin America.

His previous experience includes over a decade of operations management, strategic planning and international trading in the private sector and government agencies. In his previous job he led daily administrative operations for nearly 100 clients including: sales support for retail and wholesale, accounting, disbursements, and compliance. Additionally, he played a key role in recruiting and hiring new employees. He was recognized with the Peter Bordeaux Award for outstanding performance: demonstrating creativity, initiative and significant contributions to the company.

Victor has a passion for understanding the cultures and traditions that make human beings unique. Victor lives in Brooklyn with his husband and young daughter and has recently led the family to adopt a completely plant-based diet. He believes deeply in the mission of the Tyler Foundation and feels proud to help others be their true selves.

Katey Aquilina, #Day1 Program Coordinator

Katey Aquilina is a communications and public relations expert with a background in community organizing and strategic planning. Prior to working with the Tyler Clementi Foundation, Katey managed projects with organizations including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, Music 4 More, and United Food and Commercial Workers. She played a key role in development of advances in youth voter mobilization and has lead state and national voter outreach projects. In 2004, Katey received the Reproductive Rights Award from the Michigan Chapter of NOW. She graduated Eastern Michigan University with degrees in Political Science and Communications and holds certifications from the University of Delaware and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Katey also has a background in early childhood development and has worked in various educational environments with youth. Currently, she serves as the external communications advisor for Alpha Gamma Delta Women’s Fraternity’s chapter at Villanova University.

Katey has a passion for ensuring that individuals thrive within a culture of respect. She is proud to be a part of the Tyler Clementi Foundation and the #Day1 Campaign to ensure that all people are able to proudly be their most authentic selves

Shane Lukas, Digital Strategist

Shane Lukas is an award-winning experienced interactive strategist, art director and creative technician with skills that span media as well as scale (billboard to handheld device). His work for companies as Monster.com, Verizon Wireless, Priority Healthcare (ExpressScripts), AirTran Airways, and drugstore.com has been recognized by Communication Arts, HOW Magazine, and the Pearl Awards, to name a few.

Rich Harrington, Public Affairs and Policy Manager

Rich Harrington brings experience in political, issues-based, and nonprofit organizing to his role in managing projects for the Tyler Clementi Foundation.

Previously Rich worked as the Program Manager for Faith in America, a nonprofit dedicated to ending religious teachings against LGBTQ equality. During the 2016 election cycle, Rich served as Political Director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party for the primary and general elections. In his capacity, Rich organized grassroots volunteers/organizations statewide as part of the team that elected the first all-female, all-Democratic federal delegation in U.S. history.

Erin Green, Faith Programs Coordinator

Erin Green is a gay, Christian, LGBTQ activist and faith advocate. She has previously worked for organizations such as The Reformation Project and Faith in America. She is well known specifically for her activism work on behalf of LGBTQ communities at Christian Universities and is the Executive Director of the LGBTQ-affirming group at Biola University in California, formerly known as the Biola Queer Underground. Her specialty is engaging with biblical text and helping LGBTQ communities who have suffered under oppression imposed by faith-based communities, institutions, and churches. Erin is an active member of the PCUSA church and will be graduating from Azusa Pacific University in May, 2018 with a degree in Biblical Studies. Erin has remained on the President’s and Dean’s list throughout her academic career and she will follow up her degree with preparing to earn her Master of Divinity degree in seminary.