As a leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, Family Equality relies on the expertise and excellence of our Board of Directors to help shape our work and better serve our community. Always searching for opportunities to expand and strengthen this all-star leadership team, we were especially delighted to welcome several new members to our Board of Directors this summer!
Scott Ammarell (He/Him)
Scott Ammarell is a highly experienced housing attorney, currently serving as the Chief Program Officer for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) in Columbus, Ohio. Scott has decades of practice advising clients in all aspects of legal and affordable housing issues. For the last 18 years, Scott has devoted his career to the development and advancement of affordable housing, including acting as General Counsel to large Public Housing Authorities, acting as Chief Executive Officer of an affordable housing and service provider serving families impacted by HIV/AIDS, and providing Executive Management services to housing authorities across the country. At CMHA, Mr. Ammarell plays a pivotal role in the administration of the Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program which provides housing subsidies to thousands of families in Ohio. Scott also served on the Board of Directors of Chicago-based Test Positive Aware Network. Scott is the proud father of three adult children and spends his leisure time cycling, playing tennis, and traveling the world.
Rahsaan DeLain (He/Him)
Rahsaan is a PhD candidate in Counseling and Counselor Education at Syracuse University and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John Fisher University. Rahsaan’s teaching and educational philosophies center on intersectionality, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. One of his advocacy efforts includes increasing the representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals in mental health and healthcare-allied fields. Rahsaan’s research on Black fathers raising children with Autism aims to illuminate their lived experiences, dismantle negative stereotypes of black fathers, and bring more awareness of Autism to communities of color.
Rahsaan and his husband chose the path of adoption to build their family. They are the proud parents of four children who are at the intersection of race, neurodiversity, and gender. Rahsaan and his husband believe in affirming LGBTQ+ families and all families on the margins. As a native of Rochester, NY now living in Buffalo, NY, Rahsaan and his family used social media to build a network of gay fathers. Starting in 2019 with only five members, this group has now grown to almost 80 gay fathers and fathers-to-be. This story was captured in the PBS Brave Spaces Special: How Gay Dads Are Finding Their Village Online.
Debbie Rice (She/Her)
Debbie Rice (she/her) joins the Family Equality board from Apple Inc. as the Head of Global Labor and Employment Law. She is a legal advisor and strategic business partner to global business leaders across all functions at Apple. During her 18 year tenure at Apple she has built a global and diverse team of lawyers to support the growth from 17,000 to over 160,000 employees.
As part of her ever evolving role, Debbie works cross functionally with regional teams around the world on Inclusion and Diversity leadership, fostering a culture where everyone feels that they belong and can thrive as their true selves.
Debbie was introduced to Family Equality through her work with Jim Obergefell and Equality Vines, the first cause-based wine label, in support of organizations devoted to promote equality for all.
Stephen Rye Switzer (He/Him)
Stephen Rye Switzer has 15+ years of experience in the finance and administration of foundations, nonprofits, and social impact businesses. He is currently the Director of Finance and Administration at Funders for LGBTQ Issues, a membership organization that serves to drive more funding toward LGBTQ causes. Prior to joining Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Stephen served as the Finance Director at NewSchools Venture Fund, where he made significant contributions to public education philanthropy. Stephen holds a B.A. in Geography from Middlebury College and an M.S. in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College.
Stephen and his husband live in Oakland, CA, and have two children and a dog. Although the protections for queer parents are strong in California, Stephen serves on the board of Family Equality to make this true for parents across the country.
We are so excited to continue our important work on behalf of LGBTQ+ families with the support of Scott, Rahsaan, Debbie, and Stephen on our side! Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest board members!