Meet the Team
We're a passionate group dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ seniors in our community. Click on a staff member's name to learn more about the incredible people behind the programs, resources, and events that make GenPride shine. Want to join the team? View open positions by visiting our Career page HERE.
Staff photos taken by Community member, volunteer and talented photographer, Béla Dornan.
Judy comes to GenPride as an experienced non-profit leader and community builder who has devoted much of her career to protecting, supporting, and advancing the well-being of older adults, including promoting the equality, safety, and health of older LGBTQIA+ people.
Judy brings to GenPride a keen business acumen, skillful management of multimillion dollar budgets and a proven track record of increasing fiscal resources through fundraising, grant attainment and partnership donations.
Having worked in North Carolina, Arizona, and Washington, Judy’s professional journey and service have been grounded in a deep understanding of the multiple challenges faced by elders, in general and LGBTQIA+ elders, in particular. She is deeply committed to DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and has multiple experiences leading and participating in anti-racism work. Judy has a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University with a focus on Community, Administration, & Program Development which has served her well in her many accomplishments and experiences.
“I am honored and excited to join GenPride as it steps into this next phase of expanding its reach and amplifying its impact,” Kinney said. “It is a significant moment for our region to have Pride Place, the first income-qualifying housing for LGBTQIA+ seniors, and a new and expanded GenPride Senior Center located on Pride Place’s ground floor anticipated to be open in the heart of Capitol Hill in Seattle this fall.”
(She/Her/They/Them)
Executive Director
Judy@genprideseattle.org
(206) 393 - 3400
Elisa is inspired by and dedicated to LGBT+ older adults. Originally from San Diego, born and raised, their career spans over fifteen years in the San Diego nonprofit sector, with a focus on her areas of passion: older adults, the LGBT+ community, and behavioral health.
They were the Program Manager for the Senior Services program at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, providing support, resources, and social activities to hundreds of LGBT+ seniors every year. Elisa developed new community programs to reach underserved communities, and guided the Senior Services through the roughest years of the Covid19 pandemic while maintaining vital programs like food distributions and resource connections.
Elisa is bi-cultural, nonbinary, and a peer. They have been a Peer Support Specialist (PSS), facilitated training to develop other PSS, and provided training to those who supervise and work alongside PSS. She is a consummate trainer and community builder, with experience providing training on cultural competency, person-first language, recovery-oriented environments, and trauma informed care. Most recently, she worked with the Alzheimer’s Association to advocate for, and educate the community about Alzheimer’s and related neurocognitive diseases.
Elisa has been with their wife for nearly twenty years and likes to say she got married twice: their domestic partnership and their marriage share the same date, four years apart. Elisa is an avid knitter, crafter, and spoiler of all dogs, especially their own.
(She/They)
Programs Director
Elisa@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 800 - 1226
Jaime is a life time Seattle resident and is passionate about supporting our Queer community and ensuring all are able to thrive, here and everywhere. Jaime has volunteered at local LGBTQIA+ organizations including Seattle's LGBTQ Center - Gay City - and is always keeping his eyes open for the next opportunity to show up for community. Jaime is a skilled program/project manager and comes to GenPride after being in the private Tech sector and, previously, a global board member for Expedia Group where he worked to implement and discover systems that allowed employees to bring their true selves to the workplace and to create intention around equity and justice for all who hold marginalized identities.
Jaime has a passion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the workplace and brings this into both his work and his personal life through a relationship and community building approach. Jaime is driven by an innate desire to connect with people from all backgrounds in order to work towards shared goals and the vision to ensure Queer community can thrive through support, resources, and community belonging. Jaime approaches both life and work through a framework of seeking to build and cultivate relationships and is excited to bring his passion for this approach to GenPride as the Engagement and Development Director.
Jaime and his husband have been together for nearly 20 years and he loves being a father to his amazingly vibrant and empathic 3 year old daughter.
(He /Him)
Engagement & Development Director
Jaime@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 800 - 2019
Theo Stillwagon joined GenPride as Operations Director in March 2024, bringing a diverse skill set and creative perspectives to the position. With a background as a dedicated teacher and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, Theo leverages his extensive expertise in systems management and collaborative strategies to enhance the operational efficiency of GenPride. Driven by a deep passion for strengthening queer and trans community support networks, Theo is devoted to creating an environment where LGBTQ+ elders are truly centered and celebrated. Outside of work, Theo finds joy in relaxing with his cats and partner, baking delectable treats, playing various musical instruments, and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Washington's great outdoors.
Theo Stillwagon (he/Him)
Operations Director
Theo@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 800 - 2873
Mariah is a dedicated advocate who has passions for racial and social justice, community care, and equity for all marginalized peoples and identities.
A graduate from Western Washington University, Mariah received a double major in Sociology (B.A.) and Women/ Gender/ Sexuality Studies (B.A.). Prior to joining the GenPride team, she worked as a Social Service Specialist for the WA State Department of Children, Youth, and Families where she maintained case records for investigations of child abuse and/or neglect cases. With a team of social workers, she worked to assess the needs of parents and youth and provided services/resources for them including monthly wellness checks and home visits for separated families.
Mariah brings skills in care coordination, diverse problem solving, conflict resolution, and community engagement. Furthermore, she has experience working with older adults through supporting a diverse population of parents, grandparents, and caregivers. With a background in customer service work along with volunteering for organizations such as the NAACP and American Red Cross Association, Mariah knows what it is like to work with people and the importance of collaboration and direct communication.
Born and raised in the Greater Seattle area, Mariah is passionate about helping her local communities specifically BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks. As a Black, mixed race, queer person she has the understanding and lived experiences that inform how she approaches community work with a high priority for cultural competence, openness, and empathy. Mariah holds a deep commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) both in her work and personal life because of the ways her intersecting identities influence this work, and she hopes to cultivate bringing together diverse perspectives and thought.
Mariah loves to travel with a few of her favorite trips being to Thailand and Ghana where she has family heritage, is an avid concert goer, and enjoys spending time cozy at home with friends or exploring new food spots around Seattle. She is excited for the opportunity to connect with Rainbow Elders and to bring her aspirations of building and empowering community to the GenPride team through her role as Social Services Coordinator.
(She/Her)
Social Services Coordinator
Mariah@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 800 - 1221
Pamela comes to GenPride as the Outreach and Education Coordinator.
Her previous work experience includes being a volunteer coordinator for World Relief, a refugee resettlement agency. She has worked as a researcher and facilitator for Race Talks, a non-profit tackling racism through conversations and education. In college, she was heavily involved with multiple symposia and international fairs, dedicating most of her time outside academics to cultural and political work on campus. She has experience in facilitation, communications, design, and all facets of her work are solidly rooted in DEI work.
Her personal and work experience are fused together through her identities. She is Lebanese-Syrian, grew up in Lebanon, and has lived in Armenia, Portland, and now Seattle. Along her extensive traveling at a young age, she has cast a wide net of interest and curiosity into the world, and it has helped shape her worldview and values tremendously.
Early on she was exposed to diverse environments, cultures, and groups of people. From that experience, she realized the need and her own proclivities for community building. In her time in the U.S., she has also noticed the missing social fabric of communal living and connection, which existed in her communities back home as organic "mutual aid" networks. Her utopic vision for GenPride is that elders, LGBTQIA2S+, and anyone that sits at an intersection of those spaces can find a real homebase or even a resting place and know that their needs can always be heard and treated with value. She is looking forward to connecting more and more people to GenPride's community and services, and expanding its ability to provide meaningful education, for a world where queer people can age with pride in all aspects of their lives.
Pamela is an artist, through-and-through. She loves to write poetry, rap, musings; she loves music and music-making; she has been a visual artist since she was able to grab a pen! She believes that art is the nucleus that lights her fire for life, and through which she can see the beauty and value in everything and everyone.
(She/Her)
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Pamela@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 413 - 6742
Edgar cultivates relationships between the organization, media, and the public. Since joining GenPride in February 2024, Edgar has created and managed the GenPride website, weekly newsletter, social media, media assets, photography, and select email communications and campaigns.
Motivated by his deep involvement with Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, Edgar brings a wealth of experience to his role. As a professional photographer, videographer & Creative Director, he has worked at a variety of Seattle events, including the Queer/Bar Festival, Taking Black Pride, NYFW and numerous local venues. Edgar's portfolio also includes editorial photoshoots for local drag queens and performers.
In addition to his work at GenPride, Edgar is a contractor Social Media Manager at Seattle Hockey Pride Association. Prior to GenPride, Edgar held roles as a supply acquisition coordinator at Karat and a Document review specialist at Boundless Immigration. Drawing from these experiences, he saw an opportunity to contribute his skills and passion to a cause important to him. Through his multifaceted background, Edgar is committed to supporting and advancing the LGBTQ+ community.
(He/Him)
Communications Specialist
Edgar@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 452 - 3629
Charles has been guided by a giving principle instilled in him as a young child by his family. He has always wanted to make an impact on people's lives no matter how big or small. This led him to South Park Senior Citizens, where he was the Engagement & Programs Manager for the past 3 years. Charles comes to us with years of experience serving elders of multicultural and minority populations. Charles was able to bring his Queer identity to SPSC and continue to develop a culture of open mindedness and acceptance while introducing the Seniors to LGBTQIA+ issues and spearheaded the organization to participate in the Pride Parade for the past 2 years with great success, including being interviewed by KOMO news with one of his Queer identifying Seniors by his side. Charles was also the key connector to introducing GenPRIDE to SPSC for our training and education courses, which is when we first met him!
Charles will be able to elevate our activities and meal programming with his experience of hosting up to 55 seniors for dinner three times a week in his former role while creating a space of welcoming and inclusivity and keeping cultural sensitivities at the forefront.
Charles Bontemps is a native Washingtonian, who moved to Seattle in 2016. He grew up dancing starting at the age of 4 and was able to continue that passion which led him to a professional ballet career upon moving to Seattle.
After an earlier than planned retirement from the stage, Charles was off to seek his next career move, knowing that he wanted it to center on a key passion, his Queer identity. Growing up in a more rural and conservative area of the state (Walla Walla), Charles was not able to live his life out and proud during his childhood. With his mother as a social worker, and his father a college professor, he was fortunate to grow up in a very open-minded home where he felt safe, however the outside community was a different story. Wanting to be an advocate and voice to people who have had similar struggles, or still may be struggling with feeling comfortable to be themselves is a key priority in his work.
(He/Him)
Programs & Volunteer Coordinator
Charles@genprideseattle.org
Ext: (206) 388 - 4606
Board of Directors
Meet the Board of Directors! These dedicated leaders guide our mission and ensure our vision for LGBTQ+ seniors thrives. Interested in joining the board and making a difference? Click HERE to learn more about board membership opportunities!
For over 30 years, Richard remains committed to teaching, learning, and educational leadership and is passionate about developing people, systems, teams, and organizations.
Richard spent 20 years in the Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, CO, where he served in the roles of science and math teacher, technology manager, assistant principal, middle school principal, director of student achievement, and director of P-20 campus development.
Before moving to Seattle to achieve a dream of living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, he served as a middle school principal and director of student achievement for 27J Schools in Brighton, CO. During this time, he also held positions as adjunct faculty at the University of Denver and affiliate faculty at Regis University in their respective Educational Leadership and Policy Studies masters programs to provide blended learning experiences for coursework in Instructional Leadership, Data Literacy, Policy and Organizational Leadership, and Equity Leadership.
Richard Patterson, Ph.D. (He/Him)
President
Shane is a Washington native, with over 15 years of experience in senior living and healthcare operations, Shane has held a range of positions from operations director to senior executive director, traveling to communities across the United States.
His love for senior living began at age 12 when he would mow his elderly neighbor Fern’s yard, for which she would pay him in cookies. In his spare time, Shane plays in a competitive LGBTQIA+ softball league and enjoys spending time with his family and his dogs, Janet and Jackson.
Shane Fowler (He/Him)
Vice President
Linda Marchesani has been engaged throughout her career in professional and scholarly work focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in higher education, governmental and non-profit sectors. Dr. Marchesani and was formerly the Director of Workplace Learning and Development at UMass Amherst. Since retiring from UMass Amherst, she maintains an independent consulting practice focused on professional and organizational development with an emphasis on DEI. She currently serves as a volunteer presenter for GenPride, an organization advocating for LGTQ Elders based in Seattle.
Linda Marchesani (She/Her)
Clerk
Ten years ago, Peggy decided to get the licenses needed to open her own financial advisory practice after she saw firsthand how many women and LGBT seniors needed help navigating life events, and how few women and LGBT worked in the areas where they needed support. Now, as a certified financial planner professional at Planning for Good, Peggy primarily works with professional women and LGBT individuals who own businesses and practices. Peggy is a certified MBE through the NGLCC.
In addition to advising her clients, Peggy has been working to change the face of financial services, leading DEI efforts in her field and sitting on the Cambridge Investment Research DEI Advisory Council.
Peggy and her wife, Desiree, have four Border Collies, and keep active by competing in dog agility and hiking on the weekends.
Peggy Haslach, CFP, CLU (She/Her)
Umang is an Indian-born gay man, who felt a strong sense of belonging in the LGBTQ+ community when he first moved to Seattle. He wants to ensure that sense of community prevails not just when he ages in Seattle, but for all the current LGBTQ+ seniors in our region. He is also the primary caregiver for his senior mother, learning the unique needs of those aging in Seattle who don’t hail from here.
With a background in the technology industry, Umang brings some unique skills and experience to the board. He has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Gujarat University in India, a Masters in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from the University of Virginia. In the Seattle area, he has been a management executive at travel giant Expedia Group and the digital freight marketplace Convoy.
On the community front, he’s been a prior volunteer at wayOut Seattle and GayCity (now Seattle’s LGBTQ Center), and a very active participant and leader at the ERGs of the companies he's worked at, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and issues in every school or company he has been involved in the last 18 years. He looks forward to continuing that journey with GenPride!
Umang Choudhary (He/Him)
Jamie is a spouse and parent living in Shoreline, WA in an multi-generational bilingual household with 4 adults and two children, two of the adults being 60 years of age, He is also a dad of two four legged kids in bulldog form that are constantly laying by his feet snoring away in his zoom calls!
He originates from North Carolina and received most of his higher education in North Carolina and Washington, DC. He's been a volunteer in several youth LGBTQ+ groups throughout college and grad school as well as been a part-time employee at PFLAG's national headquarters before he started his career in Human Resources. He is an alumni brother of Delta Lambda Phi, a progressive LGBTQ+ social fraternity.
He is an independent business owner managing his own human resources consulting firm that provides comprehensive services to organizations ranging from five to 5000 employees. He possesses over 20+ years of experience gained within real estate/property management, non-profit, technology, healthcare, telecommunication, retail, and manufacturing organizations—supporting both HQ and multi-state operations. He is passionate about developing top-tier leadership teams, partnering effectively with staff at all organizational levels and building the types of cultures/environments where people thrive and do their best work.
Jamie is a contributing member of GenPride's governance committee assisting with setting policy since early 2022.
Jamie Ward, MPA, SPHR (He/Him)
Joshua earned his Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University and his Masters in Community Counseling from Seattle University.
From Joshua:
I love to explore the many societal constructs placed on communities of color and Queer communities to continue to raise awareness and create change. I continue to serve as committee member for the LGBTQIA Task Force at Highline Community College creating climate change and working with Title IX challenges. I am a founding member of the Task Force in 2011. I am currently a tenured faculty member at Highline College and Adjunct Professor at Seattle University. When that’s not enough, I also own a small private practice in Seattle where he provides therapeutic services for individuals and couples in the queer community and for communities of color. More Recently I was named as the CEO (Chief Education Officer) for Compete Sports Diversity providing Equity and Inclusion for all through sports. I Love to travel, play softball, and have coached Girls Softball at Seattle Prep (12 years) in my spare time. Where does all the time go and now a new venture as part of the Board for GenPride. I am truly excited for this next leap in my life, I show up daily, authentically, and integrously to live the life that I know is best for me.
Mas Alla
~Joshua believes the developmental process is a road that is never paved or well-traveled; the way we engage in it and experience it is what makes us marvel at the amazing products along the way. ~
Joshua Magallanes (He/Him)
Former Director of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle-King County. Maureen brings 25 years of service to older adults and individuals with disabilities, having worked for three Area Agencies on Aging in Washington state. She arrived at ADS in June 1999 and served as deputy director of its Case Management Program for nearly a dozen years, overseeing the rapidly-growing Renton case management office. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters in Public Administration, Health Administration and Policy from San Francisco State University.
Maureen Linehan, MPA (She/Her)
Gaysha Starr aka GS Matencio has an incredibly rich and diverse history within the Seattle LGBTQ+ community.
A self-identified transgender woman. She is the store manager of a luxury retailer in Bellevue, WA, and the proud parent of a small pup, Nico.
For 31 years, she has entertained and captured audiences with her quick wit, glamorous looks, and memorable performances in her public and community life.
Competing in drag pageants and campaigns, she holds a long list of prestigious titles, some include Empress of Seattle, Olympia XXIX 1999, Grand Marshal for the Seattle Pride Parade 2022, The first Seattle winner of La Femme Magnifique International 199, and many others.
Using her many years on the stage she's hosted and participated in many large community events and fundraisers including being a Drag Ambassador for Drag Out The Vote, Hostess for GLSEN Washington LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Conference, and the list continues
Most recently, Gaysha has also ventured into public speaking hosting pride events D&I conferences, and panels speaking about the LGBTQ+ history, the transgender movement, and her public transition.
Gaysha Starr (She/Her)
Howard Russell aka Ladie Chablis has been a long time resident in the Seattle Area. He enjoys community involvement and learning about the work of other organizations.
Howard joined the GenPride board through a softball friend Shane. After several meetings he felt this is an organization he would like to help build and grow.
Howard not only belongs to GenPride Board of directors he also is on several other boards. This would include The YMCA, Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle, and Emerald City Softball Association.
In Howard's spare time he has an entertainment side of him. He is also known in the community as Ladie Chablis a legendary drag performer. He has the longest running drag show in Washington State. His show is called Lashes and it's celebrating 20 years. You can find Howard at La Pergola at a Sunday afternoon brunch and Unicorn of Fridays for the Lashes Drag Show. Howard also coaches 2 softball teams during the summer.
