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 following his role as director of development for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Under Charles` leadership, the Task Force tripled 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 serves as a member of the Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee for the California Department of Mental Health and is a member of the National Lifeline Suicide Prevention Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee. Charles and his partner, Damon, reside in Los Angeles, California.

310.271.8845 ext 223
Charles.Robbins@TheTrevorProject.org

Earl Plante

Chief Development Officer

Earl Plante has worked his entire professional life in the non-profit sector as a passionate advocate for social and economicjustice, which is fundamental to combating societal barriers of prejudice and discrimination in our various communities through public education, advocacy,and increased visibility. Earl joined The Trevor Project as Chief Development Officer in September of 2008 and is based in Los Angeles. Earl is chiefly responsible for raising its annual budget of$2.1 million, through individual donors, foundations, corporations, government and special events. Earl comes to The Trevor Project from the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a national LGBT nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC where he worked as the Chief Operating Officer. Earl was responsible for the oversight of a $1.3 million budget and managed finance, technology and human resources. Prior to NBJC, Earl was the Development Director at the National Minority AIDS Council where he administered all aspects of fund raising NMAC’s $7 million budget. Earl held previous senior management positions at Union Settlement Association, Gay Men of African Descent, and Funders Concerned About AIDS. Earl is a 1995 graduate of Dartmouth College, earning a BA in History. Earl ultimately envisions a world where all youth are fully empowered to participate safely,openly, and honestly in family, faith, and community regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.

310.271.8845 x257
Earl.Plante@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

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

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

Jacqueline Wing

Communications Manager

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

Alan Gordon

Database & Volunteer Manager

Alan Gordon is a Los Angeles native and graduate from the University of Utah, where he studied Russian and Political Science. He has several years of experience in grant writing, database and event administration, most recently having worked in the administrative and development department at the California Heart Center Foundation at UCLA. Alan is an active volunteer, having volunteered at the AIDS Foundation, where he translated informational media materials for a Russian-based foundation in Moscow. He also avidly participates in fundraising for Russian orphanages and HIV awareness in Russia and other Eastern European countries. His fondness of Russian culture stems from two years he spent living there as a Mormon missionary. Alan currently resides in West Hollywood and looks forward to promoting the mission of The Trevor Project.

310.271.8845 ext 230
Alan.Gordon@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

Dave Reynolds

East Coast Call Center Manager

Dave Reynolds is a Pittsburgh native and an Occidental College (Los Angeles) graduate. Dave joins our staff while attending Columbia University to get his Masters in Public Health—in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences. 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. He enjoys furthering our knowledge of health issues impacting the LGBT community and loves managing our Randy Stone East Coast Call Center.

212.509.0042
Dave.Reynolds@TheTrevorProject.org

Ryan Lombardini

Communications Associate

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

Richard Rocha

Office Manager/Receptionist

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

Wing-Sum Doud

Special Events Intern

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
Wing-Sum.Doud@TheTrevorProject.org

Erin English

Program Intern

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. She is thrilled to be part of the program team at The Trevor Project where she can address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ youth today.

310.271.8845 ext 232
Erin.English@TheTrevorProject.org

Aneesh Sheth

East Coast Program Intern

As a workshop volunteer, dedicated counselor trainer and member of the inaugural East Coast counselor training class, Aneesh has worked with The Trevor Project in New York City almost every step of the way. A New Jersey native, Aneesh now lives in New York City with her one-year-old Weimaraner, Grey. Aneesh attended New York University and subsequently pursued a career as an actress. After leaving show business, she pursued her passion for educating and helping young people. She is a member of the LGBT Subcommittee at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC, a substitute teacher for the NY Department of Education and thrives in her work counseling and teaching at The Trevor Project.

212.509.0036
Aneesh.Sheth@TheTrevorProject.org

Jacob Breslow

Fellow
UC Santa Cruz / Community and Feminist Studies
Point Foudation Scholar

For Jacob Breslow, being the only openly gay student as an eighth grader in his middle school in the Walnut Creek, CA was torture. Surrounded by hateful speech and ignorance, Jacob began to lose his self worth. Although his family was supportive, the anguish he internalized from the every day hate-speech at school caused him to attempt suicide twice. After leaving the hospital, Jacob became determined to work for positive change so that no one would have to go through what he went through. Jacob has since worked for numerous queer-rights organizations in the East Bay and in Santa Cruz, where he is currently double majoring in Community and Feminist Studies. Jacob is an avid public speaker and has led many anti-homophobia trainings in schools, correctional facilities and community groups. This past summer, Jacob embarked on a six-month field study in the UK to study queer subjectivity and create a curriculum focused on queer positive representation. Upon graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to get his PhD and become a professor of queer theory. Jacob is dedicated to making education safe for all youth and looks forward to being an active and supportive educator.


Jacob.Breslow@TheTrevorProject.org

Jacob Hunter Weldon

Fellow
Columbia University, New York / Sociology
Point Foundation Scholar

Jacob Hunter Weldon was raised in a right-wing Christian town in the heart of Southeast Texas. His father, a former Marine, was extremely aggressive and has called him a “fag” ever since elementary school. To turn the attention away from his questionable sexuality, Jacob threw himself into academics and extracurricular activities. By the time he reached high school, Jacob was President of his class, Drum Major of the band, graduated Summa Cum Laude and was chosen the Most Likely to Succeed student in his class. After coming out a year later, Jacob experienced a world of backlash from family and friends that led him down a self-destructive road, concluding with a suicide attempt that nearly ended his life. Ironically, it was his Christian faith that turned his life around. As a proud gay Christian, Jacob takes a grassroots approach to activism, speaking at schools and to local groups, encouraging others to push the boundaries of divisive traditionalist ideologies. LGBT activism will forever be a top priority in Jacob’s life. He plans to become a Queer Studies professor, where he can foster an open exchange of ideas and values, thereby pushing students to develop their own boundaries and belief systems.


Jacob.Weldon@TheTrevorProject.org