Our Team Members

Amanda Klecan

Policy/Research Coodinator

Amanda has served on the board of GLSEN WA since 2013 and is currently the Policy and Research chair. She is also a member of the Professional Development committee and a certified GLSEN facilitator. Amanda works in the affordable housing sector and is the proud parent of two adorable cats.

Eleanor Jones

Professional Development Committee

Eleanor is an elementary teacher in the Seattle area and the mother of two teenagers. She is the lead of her school's "Rainbow Squad" which is a group of staff members dedicated to providing affirming and welcoming spaces for all. This is her first year on the GLSEN WA board and she's thrilled to be part of this work.

Joey Haban

At-Large Board Member

Joey Haban (Board Member-at-Large, she/her) was previously a college instructor of English for deaf students. She is excited to bring GLSEN WA’s messages and programs to deaf, disabled, and other underserved communities.

Marsha McDowell

Treasurer

Marsha is a stay-at-home parent of two kids and a bunch of animals. She is a volunteer at the Maple Valley Food Bank, Tahoma School District, and is also involved in several social justice non-profit organizations in the Puget Sound area.

Courtney Elston

Board Member

TBA

Emily Van Yuga

Secretary

Emily has served on the GLSEN Washington board since 2017. Dedicated to social justice, she has 20 years of non-profit experience advancing LGBTQ+ rights, juvenile justice, housing access, and health equity. Emily holds an M.Ed in Human Sexuality Studies. She enjoys independent films and rollerskating.

Lily Williamson

Student Organizing Committee Chair

Lily Williamson has served on the GLSEN Washington Board since 2021, where she is the Student Organizing Chair. At GLSEN, she works to develop and lead programs for LGBTQ youth across Washington State, including the SHINE and IN*clued programs. Outside of her work at GLSEN, Lily is a student at the University of Washington and a community activist.

Doug Poage

Board Member

TBA

Joe Bento

Chair

Joe is an AP/IB Psychology and 9th grade Health teacher from Kent, WA. He has been involved in safe schools trainings for the last 18 years including his work as an NEA (National Education Association) trainer on Social Justice and LGBTQ issues. Joe has also recently been appointed to Kent School District as their newest board member.

Lucy Perry

Intern

Lucy Perry is a 4th year student at Washington State University studying sociology and women's, gender & sexuality studies. She is excited about working on an intersectionality book club project this summer for Fall 2022! In her free time she enjoys reading, doing yoga, and picnicking with friends. One day she hopes to be a professor/researcher in women's, gender, & sexuality studies.