Our Team Members
I'm a title. Click here to edit me.
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.
Emily Lerner
Americorps Service Member
Emily Lerner graduated from Oberlin College in 2020 with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies. In their free time they like to sew clothing from vintage patterns and make jewelry.
Jared Stern-Rogers
SHINE Team Chair
Jared G. Stern Rogers has served on the GLSEN Washington board since March of 2020. As the Youth Leadership & SHINE Chair, he works to facilitate GLSEN Washington's statewide LGBTQ+ youth leadership program, SHINE. Additionally, Jared co-leads our statewide Virtual GSA.
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.
Dani Smotrich-Barr
Americorps Service Member
Dani Smotrich-Barr graduated from Wesleyan University, where they studied English and History. Dani is also a cellist, arts journalist and visual artist. They are excited to bring arts education, restorative justice and disability justice frameworks into their work with GLSEN Washington.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grace Sanwald
Americorps Service Member
Grace graduated from Whitman College with a degree in classical studies in May 2021. She is an avid theatre enthusiast and enjoys socially engaged plays. In the future, she hopes to continue to advocate and work towards social justice in the state of Washington.
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.