Our Board
Liz Y., President
I moved to Ashland in May of 2024 to start a new chapter of my life after years of city life, in-the-streets activism and organizing. PFLAG gives me the opportunity to connect with my new community and create a life for myself here that aligns with my values.
"Hope is a discipline."-Mariame Kaba
"The fights you pick reveal whether or not you understand the battle." -Lizz Winstead
Pronouns: She/Her
Jess H., Vice President
I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to: help facilitate and provide tools for parents and show we can be comfortable with questions without answers rather than promote answers that can’t be questioned. It is time for me in my life to give back. I have empathy for the underdog. I had no adult queer role models when I grew up. I could not see myself as an adult. I can now provide to young persons my role model as a trans non-binary person. A dream outcome would be that PFLAG provides a solid presence in this community, and we can increase the resources for queer folks.
Pronouns: They/Them
Jocelyn L., Treasurer
I joined the PFLAG Board because I am committed to creating spaces, communities, and ultimately a world where all people, particularly LGBTQ folks are seen, supported, and valued for exactly who they are. I have been providing mental health therapy/gender affirming care to trans/gender expansive patients for the past 10 years. I want to use my therapy experience to bridge the work in my office into the community, sharing and exchanging knowledge and resources with families, allies, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Pronouns: She/Her
Billie K., Board Member
Pronouns:
Jason K., Board Member
I've been a resident of Ashland since 2014, after growing up in the far North Chicago Suburbs. I write, design tabletop games, and generally want to be useful. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm the best one to take part in this struggle, but everyone deserves safety.
Pronouns: He/Him
Sara L., Board Member
Pronouns:
Ellary M., Board Member
I moved to the Chequamegon Bay area in 2023 for work. At the time, I was determined to become more involved in my community and make connections with my neighbors, which was something I had struggled with in the past. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived in Ashland, but I was pleasantly surprised to find so many community minded organizations. I was drawn to PFLAG as a group advocating for queer people, especially in a smaller rural town where queer experiences are often overlooked. My hope is that I may contribute my energy to increasing visibility and acceptance for marginalized people in my community, and to community cohesiveness in general. I feel very fortunate to be here.
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them, He/Him
Penny R., Board Member
Pronouns: She/Her
Kristina S., Board Member
I moved to Ashland in 2022 after moving around the U.S. for about 10 years. My family and I love the sense of community here and now consider Ashland our forever home. I am involved in a handful of organizations that are centered around children, many of the children are LGBTQ+. I joined PFLAG to learn more about how to be a supportive ally. The LQBTQ+ youth are a beautiful group of individuals that are taught to hide their authentic self. It is important to me that all children are encouraged to embrace their authentic self. I hope to promote more love, understanding and acceptance within our community through my involvement with PFLAG.
Pronouns: She/Her
Kathleen S., Board Member
I am the proud parent of a trans non-binary person who completed their K-12 education in our local area. Through their experiences, I have an understanding of the challenges these environments can bring. They are now happily living their best life as a college student in California, but I promised them I would not stop working to make our area better for kids like them who are growing up here. As the owner of a small family run business in a service-based profession, I have had the opportunity to put names and faces to many of the issues our customers only hear about on their respective news stations. I work to humanize hot topics and challenge some long held beliefs. Through PFLAG, I look forward to the opportunity to do these things in more organized settings.
Pronouns: She/Her
Nancy H., Founder / Honorary Board Member
A group of thirteen family, friends and members of the LGBTQ community gathered in early 2009 because we wanted churches to make positive messages about our LGBTQ loved ones. Instead of forming an LGBTQ-friendly church group, we decided that our reach would be much wider if we started a local PFLAG chapter. The first meeting was in April of 2009. Throughout these years so many people have given countless volunteer hours in lending support, education, and advocacy. As founding chapter leader, it is my joy to pass the baton to very capable new leadership. Currently, I am giving myself the unofficial title of historian.
Pronouns: She/Her
Mark R., Honorary Board Member
When I was asked to join the PFLAG Board I had just ‘come out’ as a gay father, pastor and friend to many in the Ashland WI area. Joining the Board was one step toward becoming an activist for gay rights and protection. Over the years that I have served I have gotten to know many like-minded humans who are smart, kind and a pleasure to work with!
Pronouns: He/Him