Charles Robbins, CFRE

Executive Director & CEO

Charles has spent his career in nonprofit management and his experience includes founding organizations, fundraising and development, as well as leading and inspiring teams of volunteers. Charles joined The Trevor Project in February of 2007. Under Charles’ leadership, The Trevor Project has grown from a staff of 5 to 12 and tripled its annual budget to over $2 million. Charles serves as a member of the Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee for the California Department of Mental Health, is a member of the California LGBT Health Network, and a member of the National Lifeline Suicide Prevention Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee. Prior to working at The Trevor Project, Charles was the director of development for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force where he increased its annual budget during his five-year tenure from $3.2 million to $9.5 million. Prior to The Task Force, Charles served in various senior fundraising roles at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). A Colorado native, Charles has served as executive director of AIDS, Medicine & Miracles in Boulder and as founder of Project Angel Heart, a Denver-based organization that delivers meals to people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening challenges. He holds a certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver, and received his credential as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Charles and his husband, Damon, reside in Los Angeles, California.

310.271.8845 ext 223
Charles.Robbins@TheTrevorProject.org

Phoenix Schneider, MSW

Program Director

Phoenix Schneider has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past ten years and his experience includes program and volunteer management, administration, and clinical services. He has extensive experience providing individual and group counseling to youth around various issues including sexual orientation and gender, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, mental health and substance abuse. Phoenix joined the team at The Trevor Project in November of 2007 following his work with Youth Enrichment Services at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City as a Social Worker for their summer camp program. Phoenix has a background in Psychology and Social Work and obtained his Masters in Social Work at Hunter College in New York City. Prior to his work at the Center, Phoenix worked for Housing Works providing counseling, intake and outreach services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Phoenix identifies as transgender and currently resides in Los Angeles with his two dogs Chai & Lolli. Phoenix is excited to be working with The Trevor Project as the Program Director as he continues to fulfill his lifelong commitment to making a difference in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth everywhere.

310.271.8845 ext 228
Phoenix.Schneider@TheTrevorProject.org

Dave Reynolds, MPH, CPH

Advocacy & Education Manager

Dave Reynolds is a Pittsburgh native with a B.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles and an M.P.H. from Columbia University in New York. He is also certified by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dave’s graduate work at Columbia in the department of Sociomedical Sciences focused on education and program design as well as policy, research, and evaluation. During his undergraduate career, Dave served as the Special Projects Intern at GLAAD where he helped construct the "HIV and AIDS @ 25" Media Resource Guide which was released in June 2006 to recognize 25 years of the pandemic. He also spent four months living in South Africa researching HIV and AIDS prevention education in public schools in townships. A former summer camp counselor, and manager for anti-gang and academic enrichment programs in under-served East Los Angeles high schools, Dave is no stranger to working with young people. Most recently as part of his graduate-level work, Dave joined a research team to look at antiretroviral therapy adherence and how it relates to the communication styles of the prescribing physician. Before joining us as the Advocacy and Education Manager, Dave served as our East Coast Call Center Manager from the Randy Stone East Coast Call Center’s opening in August, 2007 through May, 2009. During his time at that post, he worked with our Program Director to grow and train The Trevor Helpline’s base of volunteers in suicide prevention and crisis intervention. Today, he enjoys furthering our knowledge of health issues impacting LGBT communities and loves his work with The Trevor Project’s advocacy, education and research initiatives.

310.271.8845 ext 258
Dave.Reynolds@TheTrevorProject.org

Michael Vacha

West Coast Call Center Manager

Michael is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California with a background in film production and social work. Michael joined The Trevor Project as the Office Manager in January of 2008 and was promoted to Call Center Manager in April of 2008. He has had several years of experience working with the Los Angeles LGBT community, including Volunteer Coordinator for Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. He started his career in queer youth services as the Program Coordinator of USC`s LGBT Resource Center and went on to serve as the Resident Advisor to The Rainbow Floor (USC`s LGBTQ and Ally residential community). He has also devoted a great deal of his time to HIV/AIDS research as an assistant to the USC Virtual Sex Project, an HIV intervention and prevention research study. In his spare time he writes and directs short films and documentaries. Michael resides in Redondo Beach, CA and is thrilled to be a part of an organization with such a strong commitment to improving the lives of LGBT and questioning youth.

310.271.8845 ext 227
Michael.Vacha@TheTrevorProject.org

Kelli Peterman

East Coast Call Center Manager

Kelli is a native New Yorker, recently returned from a prolonged excursion south of the Mason Dixon line. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Mary Washington, Kelli worked as a Volunteer Services Specialist for an adult and family homeless shelter in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is here she developed a fondness for working with young volunteers through the shelter’s community service and local outreach programs. In supplement to her employment, Kelli has volunteered for a number of non-profit and grassroots organizations. Pursuing an interest in women’s issues, she gained invaluable hotline experience with a community sexual assault line. She continues to devote much of her time to issues dealing with women’s rights and LGBT public policy, and encourages the promotion of sexual health and expression. Kelli joins Trevor from Homes for the Homeless, where she managed several youth enrichment and volunteer programs at family homeless shelters throughout New York City. She currently resides in Brooklyn and is enjoying the unparalleled culture that New York City offers. Kelli is thrilled to continue her involvement in the LGBT community with The Trevor Project and its wonderful volunteers.

212.509.0042
Kelli.Peterman@TheTrevorProject.org

Jacqueline Wing

Communications Director

Jacqueline Wing joins The Trevor Project with a diverse background in public relations and communications. Most recently, she worked at global PR firm, Edelman, in their Los Angeles office. She previously worked for Weber Shandwick Worldwide in New York City, as well as at CKPR and B.J. Communications, both in Phoenix, AZ. Jacqueline volunteered for several years as a hotline counselor at Teen Lifeline, a non-profit organization in Phoenix, where she developed a passion for youth suicide prevention. A native of Scottsdale, AZ, she is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Jacqueline moved to Los Angeles in February 2008, and looks forward to making a positive impact by working for such a unique and vital organization.

310.271.8845 ext 226
Jacqueline.Wing@TheTrevorProject.org

Ryan Lombardini

Digital & Social Marketing Manager

Ryan Lombardini has worked in the non-profit sector for the past three years and joins the Trevor Project with a background in student affairs, youth counseling, event production, public relations, and building social networks. Most recently, he worked at the University of California, Irvine as the Honors Advisor for the Campuswide Honors Program, where he also obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Social Behavior. While at UCI, Ryan was highly involved with the LGBT Resource Center, participating in their speaker’s bureau panels and safe zone trainings. As a past volunteer at Outfest and the GLAAD Media Awards, Ryan is excited to further expand his involvement in the LGBT community. He is originally from the Central Valley in California, near Fresno, and currently resides in West Hollywood. Ryan is honored to work for an organization dedicated to supporting and fostering acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

310.271.8845 ext 229
Ryan.Lombardini@TheTrevorProject.org

Siana-Lea Gildard

Institutional Giving Director

Siana-Lea Gildard has been working in the nonprofit sector for the last six years. Most recently she worked at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force as the Director of Membership, Foundation and Corporate Giving. During her five years at the Task Force, she helped to grow the foundation budget from $1 million to $3.5 million. Prior to her work at the Task Force, Siana worked for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation as its membership manager. Her other prior work includes public relations for water conservation and clean water projects and marketing social science journals in the areas of public administration, criminology and interpersonal violence for Sage Publications, Inc., an international academic publisher. Siana earned a Bachelor`s degree in English and a minor in Spanish at California Lutheran University and studied abroad in Granada, Spain and Oaxaca, Mexico. In her spare time, Gildard has co-written plays and performance art pieces that have been performed throughout Southern California, most recently The Adventures of Mr. Coconut, a bilingual children`s play performed at the Ford Amphitheatre. Gildard currently resides in Van Nuys, California with her husband Edgar Aguirre.

310.271.8845 ext 224
Siana.Gildard@TheTrevorProject.org

Scott Meckling

Major Gifts Officer

Scott Meckling joins The Trevor Project with nearly fifteen years experience as a professional in the non-profit sector, over ten of those years as a fundraiser. He worked for Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival for nearly nine years, starting as Production Coordinator and promoted to Development Director for his last five festivals. He left in 2001 and spent the next five years working as a freelance fundraising and development consultant. His client list included REPRISE! Broadway’s Best, The Wall/Las Memorias AIDS Memorial Project, POWER UP! (Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Reaching Up), The Pan African Film Festival and The 2002 Sydney Gay Games, to name just a few. Most recently, he worked with his business partner (and brother), developing HeritageKeep Inc., a unique, turnkey heritage preservation service for families, businesses and other organizations. As a graduate of UCLA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre, Scott started his career as a professional performer working with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Long Beach Civic Light Opera, among others. He is also a founding board member of Cardboard Belt Productions, producers of Stephen Schwartz’s new musical SNAPSHOTS. Scott currently resides in West Hollywood with his basset hound “Beau” and is honored to have the opportunity to work for such a fundamentally important organization as The Trevor Project.

310.271.8845 ext 257
Scott.Meckling@TheTrevorProject.org

Jenifer Ortiz

Special Events Director

Jenifer Ortiz comes to The Trevor Project from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where she worked as the Associate Director of Special Events & Sponsorship in Los Angeles. During Jenifer’s four year tenure at GLAAD, she worked as both associate producer and fundraiser of the GLAAD Media Awards securing over two million dollars in annual corporate sponsorship funding. She also managed a portfolio of smaller signature events including GLAADTidings and Absolut Hancock Park. Prior to GLAAD, Jenifer worked in the field of Telecommunications for MCI Worldcom. She has also volunteered her special events and fundraising skills to LGBT and children`s related AIDS & HIV organizations. Jenifer resides in Burbank with her partner of ten years, Monica Taher (both fluent in Spanish) and their nine year old daughter Sasha. Jenifer is thrilled to be part of a core and vital mission where she can make a difference.

310.271.8845 ext 225
Jenifer.Ortiz@TheTrevorProject.org

Richard Rocha

Administrative Assistant

Richard Rocha joined The Trevor Project in January 2008 as an intern in the program department. He was later promoted to office manager. Richard has worked in the non-profit arena on and off for the past four years. In the past, he was the office administrator for Christopher Street West/ LA Pride. Having come from a long run of sales positions prior to LA Pride, Richard thoroughly enjoyed the transition into the non-profit sector. Richard is an avid vocalist and has been involved in several productions throughout Los Angeles. He attends Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles, and enjoys performing there on a regular basis. He is also a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus in Los Angeles. Richard is deeply appreciative for the opportunity to be part of an organization he can stand behind and be proud of; an organization that does essential work on a daily basis.

310.271.8845 ext 221
Richard.Rocha@TheTrevorProject.org

Erin English

Database & Volunteer Coordinator

Erin is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where she earned a dual degree in political theory and queer studies. During her college career, Erin served as a member of both the anti-discrimination and harassment committees and the student judicial board. After graduating, Erin worked at a prestigious international law firm in New York City, but recently relocated to her hometown of Los Angeles determined to work for a non-profit organization.

310.271.8845 ext 230
Erin.English@TheTrevorProject.org

Wing-Sum Doud

Palette Fund Intern / Development Dept.

Wing-Sum Doud is a second year UCLA undergraduate majoring in theatre-acting. He is adding a minor in LGBT studies and is a member of the UCLA chapter of Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bi, and progressive men. Wing-Sum recently relocated to Los Angeles from the San Francisco/Bay Area for college and soon after, discovered The Trevor Project while browsing a volunteer website. These opportunities have helped Wing-Sum increase his involvement within the LGBTQ community, which he plans to further expand. Wing-Sum began as a volunteer for the Trevor Project and is honored to now be a part of the amazing Trevor staff. The Trevor Project’s life-saving efforts are a beacon of hope and unparalleled resource to LGBTQ youth across the country.

310.271.8845 x231
Wing-Sum.Doud@TheTrevorProject.org

Annie Huang

Palette Fund Intern / Communications Dept.

Annie is a Senior at the University of Southern California pursuing a degree in Communications from the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. She is currently Public Relations Co-Director of the student-run organization, Annenberg Student Communication Association. She has served as a lifestyle staff writer for The Daily Trojan and has previously interned in the communications department at MTV Networks and at a fashion PR firm. In her free time, she enjoys photography, sports, fashion and traveling the world. Annie is excited to join the non-profit sector at a prominent organization like The Trevor Project and learn and help as much as she can.

310.271.8845 ext 231
Annie.Huang@TheTrevorProject.org

Luke Knanishu

Palette Fund Intern / Program Dept.

Luke Knanishu is a Chicago native, residing in New York City. Currently a junior at Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, he is working toward a B.A. in Education Studies to be completed in May 2011. Very recently, however, he has decided to spend his post-undergraduate years pursuing an MSW with the hope of eventually becoming a LCSW serving under-represented populations including LGBTQ youth. He hopes to do this either here in New York, return to his roots in Chicago, or to head to the west coast for a complete change of scenery, and is currently taking suggestions for this daunting decision. Although this is his first internship, he is ecstatic to have an introduction to the non-profit sector with an organization as admirable as The Trevor Project and is excited to learn all he can during his time here from the amazing team.


Luke.Knanishu@TheTrevorProject.org

Genevieve Sublette

Palette Fund Intern / Program Dept.

Genevieve recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English. While there, she worked with the non-profit Bay Area JusticeCorps program, assisting low-income litigants in Oakland with their divorce, custody, eviction, and small claims cases. She also was involved in the Gender Equity Center on campus, conducting workshops to the student population about topics such as alcohol abuse, date rape, and LGBTQ issues. Genevieve spearheaded the first publication of student submissions about rape and sexual abuse for the annual Take Back the Night event at Cal. After graduating, Genevieve worked as a Legal Assistant, but soon missed working in the non-profit sector. She is enthused to be working for an organization that offers hope and support to youth on a daily basis.

310.271.8845 x232
Genevieve.Sublette@TheTrevorProject.org

Justin De Los Santos

Palette Fund Intern / Program Dept.

Justin is a recent graduate from California State University Long beach, with a B.A in Comparative Politics and Environmental Policy. Shortly after graduation, Justin became an Outreach Director for The Fund for Public Interest, which teamed with the Human Rights Campaign to educate and mobilize people in support of both the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the recently-passed Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Act, as well as in opposition of Proposition 8. During the 2008 election he took leave from the Fund to establish and run minority voter registration offices in both Santa Fe, New Mexico and Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Currently Justin lives in West LA and is a Lead Coordinator for UNICEF’S Tap Project Los Angeles. He is excited to join The Trevor Project team and get back to work in the non-profit sector, working for a cause he is most passionate about.


Justin.DeLosSantos@TheTrevorProject.org