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Ian Siljestrom
Ian Siljestrom is the Managing Director of Programs for Equality Florida. He is responsible for fighting the extensive risk factors which disproportionately affect LGBTQ Floridians. For the last eight years he has helped to build Equality Florida’s programming, focused on enacting systems change in education, healthcare, business, and community spaces. Ian has extensive speaking and professional development experience, including at…
Staff Managing Director of Programs
Person
EsmĂ© (“Ez”) RodrĂ­guez
EsmĂ© (“Ez”) RodrĂ­guez is Equality Florida’s Senior Manager of Professional Learning and a transplant to Florida after 18 years in beautiful and snowy Minneapolis, MN. They are committed to working with administrators, teachers, parents, and school board members to ensure the creation of safe and healthy school environments in which LGBTQ+ and all students can thrive and strive to reach…
Staff Senior Manager of Professional Learning
Person
Geanny Joseph Ruiz
Geanny Joseph Ruiz serves as the Director of Safe and Healthy Schools for Equality Florida. She is a South Florida native of Haitan descent. Geanny has worked extensively within education systems providing professional development and resources to advance the health, safety and well-being of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. Prior to her time at Equality Florida, she managed the Office of…
Staff Director of Safe & Healthy Schools
Person
Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz
Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz (she/her) is a FL Licensed and Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional. She holds a Master’s degree in School Psychology from the State University of New York University at Buffalo and a Doctor of Psychology degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Noelle was an Associate Instructor for the Crisis Prevention…
Staff Director of Health Equity
Person
Jennifer Solomon
Jennifer Solomon (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Parents and Families Support for Equality Florida, leading the Parenting with Pride network. Based in Miami, she is a proud parent of four children, three of whom identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. While she began her career as a pediatric RN, Jennifer’s passion for advocacy has led her to what…
Staff Senior Manager of Parents & Families Support
Person
Alex Quinto
Alex is an Educator and Drag Entertainer who was born and raised in Florida. Previously, he served as a school counselor for Pinellas County Schools, as well as serving on the Pinellas School Counselor Association board. He was awarded as GLSEN’s 2022 Educator of the Year. His work included providing a safe and supportive environment for all of his students…
Staff Safe & Healthy Schools Manager
Person
Giovanni Vargas
Giovanny was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to the Central Florida area at a young age. He is a product of Seminole County Public Schools and continued his education at the University of Central Florida (UCF), earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and later earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Florida Gulf Coast University.…
Staff Safe & Healthy Schools Manager
Person
Mark Puskarich
Mark is proud to be part of Equality Florida, raising support and awareness for the organization’s important work throughout Florida. No stranger to the organization before joining full time, Mark served on Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala Steering Committee in 2012, and as vice chair and chair of the committees for the 2014 and 2015 galas, respectively. As Development Director, Mark…
Staff Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships
Person
Nick Machuca
A longtime volunteer with Equality Florida, Nick is staffed as our Deputy Development Director, serving a number of communities across the state. Nick is a graduate of the University of South Florida and the University of Oregon, and his passions include exploring the natural world, expanding access to education, and fighting for human and LGBTQ rights. Prior to joining Equality…
Staff Deputy Director of Development
Person
Mark Barr
Mark is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Telecommunications with a concentration in Radio/TV & Film. He also holds Master’s Degrees from the New School in Media Studies and the University of Utah in Social Work. Mark is also the founder of the Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association and the Tallahassee Gay Athletic Association both of which…
Staff Broward Development Leader