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| Rainbow Health Initiative Staff |
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Joann Usher- Executive Director Joann joins RHI as Executive Director. She brings over 30 years of non-profit management and fund-raising experience to our organization. She has served a variety of organizations from a graduate theological school, to social services and the arts. She began her engagement in the GLBTQ community as Executive Director of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Beyond her professional commitment to social justice she also fulfills that commitment in her volunteer work. She has been involved with local LGBT organizations and currently serves on the board of GALA Choruses, Inc., an international association of GLBT choruses. During her tenure on that board she has chaired the finance, governance, resource development and events committees. This year she began her first term as President of that board of directors. She and her partner Connie, live on ‘the lake’ in a near metro suburb with their two dogs and two cats. They love being on the water and sharing their lives with their two grandchildren.
Ani Koch- Director of Programs Originally from Iowa, Ani is an activist and community organizer. In Dubuque, Ani worked with Gay Straight Alliance groups, opened a LGBTQ youth resource facility, and planned LGBTQ specific community events. Ani has had many roles working for grassroots political campaigns, most recently with AFL/CIO Community Affiliate Working America Twin Cities, Rochester, and St. Cloud. Ani holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, criminal justice, and gender studies, was named an honorary recipient of a Matthew Shepard Scholarship, and completed the Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations (LAAMPP II) Fellowship in 2011. Ani also served as an Advisory Board Member of Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN) from 2010-2011. Ani joined the RHI team in April of 2009.
Deb LeMay- Director of Operations Deb brings experience in supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ individuals and their families through her work with PFLAG Twin Cities. She is a Fellow in the Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations (LAAMPP), and is a Certified Spiritual Director and serves on the Formation Team in the role of Supervisor at Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality in St. Paul. She enjoys working with people from many different backgrounds and holds a special passion for exploring beliefs and attitudes around sexuality and gender. Deb joined the RHI team in July of 2010.
Rachel Fletcher MPH- Research Project Coordinator Rachel is the new coordinator for the Exploratory Research Project on LGBTQ Youth Pregnancy Experiences. As a queer-identified woman, Rachel has been a long-time advocate and activist within the queer and sexual health communities of the Twin Cities. Her work includes direct contact with youth and young adults as a sexual and reproductive health educator, a workshop facilitator, and a trainer, both in the Twin Cities and abroad in Ecuador. Rachel has a BA in Anthropology and Spanish from Macalester College and is currently in school full-time pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of MN. In her free time, Rachel is an avid cook. Rachel joined the RHI team in March of 2010.
Meghan Greene- Office Assistant Meghan is a long-time ally whose office management and accounting skills contribute to the administration team. She is currently a full-time student at Hamline University studying Accounting and Economics. Meghan also has a degree from the University of Minnesota in Cultural Studies, Management, and Art. She has a passion for art and music, as well as advocating for cultural diversity. Meghan joined the RHI team in March 2011.
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