About Trevor

Chris Hernandez joined The Trevor Project in 2010, with more than 10 years experience in financial and administrative leadership positions. As the Operations Director, Chris is responsible for finance, administration, human resources, information technology and facilities. Chris’ previous experience in nonprofit and public agencies includes UCLA's Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Sponsored Research and Los Angeles Metro (LACMTA). Chris began his career as a Buyer for Robinsons*May. A native Angeleno, Chris received his B.A. in Communications Studies from Loyola Marymount University and his M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. When he's not overseeing The Trevor Project’s business and operational affairs, you can find Chris enjoying the beautiful Los Angeles weather at the beach or hiking in local mountains.

Fancy, decorated and preeminent, Richard Rocha joined The Trevor Project in 2008 as an intern in the program department, was later promoted to the position of administrative assistant and is now the executive assistant to the CEO and Operations Director. He has worked for various non-profit organizations over the course of the past five years, including as the office administrator at Christopher Street West/LA Pride. He previously worked extensively in sales positions, but has enjoyed the transition into the non-profit sector. He now keeps busy at Trevor’s administrative offices, answering the phones, coordinating administrative needs and assisting each department with special projects. A native of Antioch, CA, Richard is also an avid vocalist and a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus in Los Angeles. When he’s not greeting guests with a smile at Trevor, you’ll find Richard singing to his heart’s content. Richard's LGBTQ Hero: Pedro Zamora

Honest, devoted, open-minded, Porscha Ferguson joined the Trevor Project Team in 2011. She comes to us with an extensive background performing Administrative duties. A native of SoCal, Porscha graduated from California State University Long Beach with a BS in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. She has a passion for helping other and fulfills that passion through volunteering with various organizations. When she's not at work, Porscha enjoys scouting out new adventures to experience in Southern California, and spending time with her family. 

Porscha's LGBTQ Heroine: Billy Jean King

Passionate, supportive and positive, Phoenix Schneider brings a diverse array of non-profit and clinical experience to The Trevor Project, including program and volunteer management, administration, and youth counseling services. Phoenix joined The Trevor Project in 2007 after working in youth enrichment services at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York City as a social worker for its summer camp program. Under Phoenix’s leadership, The Trevor Project’s programs have grown exponentially and The Trevor Lifeline became the first and only crisis and suicide prevention service delivery program specifically serving the LGBTQ community to be accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. A Bensalem, PA native, Phoenix is a graduate of Penn State University and obtained a M.S.W. at Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City. When Phoenix is not overseeing Trevor’s lifesaving programs, he’s volunteering with animal rights and advocacy groups or taking his two dogs, Lollipop and Punky, to the park.

Spirited, thoughtful, loyal, Sarina Aguirre joined The Trevor Project in 2011 after relocating to Los Angeles from Northern California.  She comes to us with extensive experience working in the non-profit sector with organizations such as The American Cancer Society and The Arthritis Foundation.  Her primary focus has been in the area of Development, working with annual giving, special events and volunteer management, retention and recruitment.  She has a clear understanding of both the Development and Program side of organizations giving her the knowledge needed to guide, cross educate and involve volunteers in multiple aspects of an organization.  When she’s not working with Trevor volunteers, she enjoys hanging out with her dogs, Marley and Bernie and exploring flea marts and antique fairs.

Sarina’s LBGTQ Heroine: Beth Ditto

Passionate, compassionate and plucky, Brock is a long-time advocate for LGBTQ youth and admirer of the Trevor Project’s work and mission. He joined the Trevor Project in 2011, bringing with him years of experience in both academic and community settings. While in college in Montreal, Brock managed a local LGBTQ-focused crisis, support, and information hotline for three years—an experience that ignited a passion for working with LGBT youth in crisis and showed him first-hand the life-saving impact of a crisis line. This early experience guided his career and education ever since. In June 2011, Brock obtained a Master of Public Health degree, acquiring a valuable roster of program planning and evaluation skills to complement his practical experience working for the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations. These experiences have allowed Brock to become an expert in harm reduction and support skills. When he’s not supervising the Trevor Lifeline’s lifesaving team of counselors, Brock can be found braving LA on his bike, reading an old novel, or shaking it on the dance floor. Brock’s LGBTQ Hero: James Baldwin.

Inspired, creative and trustworthy Suzie Rudloff joined The Trevor Project team in 2011 as Crisis Coordinator for the San Francisco Harvey Milk Call Center. Currently she is working on her Master's of Arts in Psychology at the Western Institute for Social Research in Berkeley, CA. Before working with Trevor, Suzie worked as a television news photojournalist. It's in that field, she learned so much about people, society and the world around us. Nominated for several Emmy awards during her television career, one of the most influential memories was a series she did on the Tennessee Foster Care system. Also, she had been freelancing as a documentary filmmaker, and one of the popular films include Inlaws and Outlaws, a documentary on gay couples and the journey of their love together. Passionate about this thirst for understanding one another has brought her to her love of counseling and therapy for LGBTQ youth and couples. Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Suzie loves to travel with her partner, hang out with their 2 cats and dog, and rockclimb. Suzie's LGBTQ heroine: Rachel Maddow.

Artistic, assured, and a bit sassy, Arquimides joined The Trevor Project in 2012. Prior to The Trevor Project, Arquimides worked diligently to develop and establish one of the few programs in the San Francisco Bay Area providing social and support services for LGBTQ older adults. Arquimides has gained invaluable experience working with the LGBTQ community and youth, having spent time facilitating LGBTQ youth support groups, organizing LGBTQ oriented programming, and special events, Arquimides has also created and implemented bilingual trainings and workshops around LGBTQ youth and LGBTQ issues. Arquimides is a proud graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. When not co-ordinating the education program throughout the west coast, Arquimides can be found reading a good book, watching a ton of bad reality TV, or having fun with friends and family in LA and the Bay Area. Arquimides’ LGBTQ Heroes: Gloria Anzaldúa and Bayard Rustin.

Optimistic, accessible and eclectic, Laura McGinnis has dedicated her career to ensuring minority populations have a voice in the media. Laura has been a spokesperson and communications staff for the Palm Center, the Obama for America Campaign, the Sundance Film Festival, the Frameline Film Festival, and the American Heart Association. She has represented the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, the NAACP Image Awards, and MGM Mirage in diversity outreach, and has worked to raise awareness for the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, and has earned a Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Delaware. When she is not telling the stories of The Trevor Project, you’ll find Laura on her bicycle learning the terrain of her new Los Angeles home. Laura’s LGBTQ Heroine is Chely Wright.

Creative, passionate, and outspoken. Steven joins the Trevor Project team with broad range of experience in design and online media. With a degree in Computer Art, Computer Animation, and Visual Effects from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan he prides himself on partnering together technology and new media with great design and creative flare. Steven has also been a proud blogger and social media connoisseur for years focusing his efforts on bringing awareness to LGBT causes around the globe. When he’s not making things digitally beautiful, you could find Steven listening to the Spice Girls, eating something wrapped in bacon, or drawing in his sketchbook at the park. Steven’s LGBT hero is Andy Warhol

Passionate, dedicated, fun-loving, Tom Dow joined the Trevor Project in 2011 after working as a Development Strategy Consultant at CCS Fundraising, where he structured multi-million dollar capital campaigns for several non-profit organizations.  Before joining CCS, Tom worked in Major Gifts at Harvard University for several years, developing solicitation strategies, gift proposals and stewardship for six- and seven-figure donors.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association an active volunteer for the College Fund.  He is also a member of the Leadership Council for The Resolution Project, an organization that provides funding for social venture projects around the world.

When he’s not raising money to fund Trevor’s life-saving programs, Tom is either learning a new language (he’s up to six) or exploring some of the amazing art and theater New York City has to offer.  Tom grew up in Boston and received his AB with honors from Harvard in Spanish, French and Italian Language and Literature.  Tom’s LGBTQ heroine: Rachel Maddow

Focused, professional and bold, Jenifer Ortiz joined The Trevor Project in 2007, following her position at GLAAD as associate director of special events and sponsorship. While at GLAAD, she also worked as both associate producer and fundraiser of the GLAAD Media Awards and managed a portfolio of smaller signature events. Before joining the non-profit sector, Jenifer worked in the telecommunications field for MCI Worldcom and prior to that was a Kindergarten school teacher. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and a native of Orange, CA, Jenifer has volunteered her special events and fundraising skills to various LGBTQ, HIV/AIDS and children’s-related non-profit organizations. When she’s not at Trevor producing the most fun and rewarding events in the country, you’re bound to find Jenifer training for marathons or spending time with her daughter, Sasha. Jenifer’s LGBTQ Heroine: Billie Jean King