Whether you’re hosting a panel, podcast, school workshop, corporate training session, or Pride Month event, our LGBTQ+ speakers are equipped to engage, educate, and inspire your audience. Additionally, we’re available to pen opinion pieces, provide quotes to press and media, or offer additional insights through mediums not listed here.
Speaker topics
Our LGBTQ+ speakers maintain a unique perspective and expertise in a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families
- LGBTQ+ family law
- LGBTQ+ family-building (e.g., adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and more)
- LGBTQ+ history
- LGBTQ+ news and current events
- LGBTQ+ discrimination (including LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace, healthcare, schools, libraries, and law)
- LGBTQ+ rights
- LGBTQ+ parenting
- Community-centric fundraising and corporate responsibility
To request an LGBTQ+ speaker, contact Tonya Agnew, Vice President of Communications and Marketing.
Family Equality is a national nonprofit advocating for current and future LGBTQ+ families. For in-person events, additional costs to cover travel and lodging may be requested. Any honoraria provided will support Family Equality’s work to advance lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ families.
Meet our speakers
Tonya Agnew
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Based in: Indiana
Tonya Agnew (she/her) is currently the Vice President of Communications & Marketing for Family Equality, having previously served as Chief Communications Officer in 2022-2023.
In her present role, she oversees Family Equality’s marketing, communications and media strategies, public relations, social media, websites, and digital communications. She manages a small but mighty team of talented communications and marketing professionals who support Family Equality’s mission through storytelling, media placements, brand management, and building relationships.
She has a degree in visual communication design from Purdue University. Prior to joining Family Equality, she served in communications and marketing leadership roles in higher education, public transportation, and healthcare.
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (e.g., being an LGBTQ+ parent of adult children)
- Advocating for your LGBTQ+ family
- Working with schools to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Marriage equality
- Being LGBTQ+ in the workplace
- Storytelling and marketing
Tonya is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Jo Boileau
Manager, Corporate and Foundation Giving
Based in: Indiana
Jo Boileau (he/him) is currently the Manager of Corporate and Foundation Giving for Family Equality!
In this role, Jo is a member of our Development team and works across our organization to develop and maintain relationships with corporate and foundation partners to catalyze our work of ensuring the universal freedom to find, form, and sustain family.
Jo’s experience spans from non-profits to higher-education, where he has led development and public relations campaigns, as well as full-cycle recruitment and yield initiatives. He’s been a lecturer, marketer, fundraiser, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice champion. He anchors his work in the power of relationships and collective community action, and is excited to be bringing these experiences to work everyday to secure lived and legal equality for queer families everywhere.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Purdue University, where he made history serving as Purdue’s first openly-gay Student Body President.
- The work of Family Equality
- LGBTQ+ advocacy
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Community-centric fundraising and corporate responsibility
Jo is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Weston Charles-Gallo
Secretary, Family Equality Board of Directors
Weston entered the foster care system at age 14 when his biological parents neglected him for identifying as gay. After hospitalizations, shelters, and foster home placements, he was in care for one year before he found his forever family with his two dads and six siblings.
Now, he is an LGBTQ youth advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care, while highlighting the importance for same-sex couples to foster and adopt. He was a member of the Youth Speak Out Team in KCMO, which worked to raise awareness of the experiences of foster youth and the challenges they face. Weston worked alongside that team on a Bill of Rights for Foster Care Youth and in the summer of 2017, the bill was passed and signed by the Governor of Missouri. He is a former Youth Ambassador for the Human Rights Campaign, where he continued to share his journey and raise awareness for LGBTQ issues that youth across the country face every day. He was honored with the FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader Award for his continuous work advocating for LGBTQ+ youth with lived experience in foster care. Weston now is a part of an advocacy leadership team working to pass the John Lewis Every Child Deserves A Family Act as well as becoming a spokesperson for the Adopt US Kids speakers bureau. Recently he testified before Congress before the Ways and Means committee on ” How to Make the Lives of Foster Care Youth and Families Better.” From that, he was nominated and awarded a Good News Hero Award by LGBTQ Nation.
He has been featured on NBC News, Yahoo News, Proud Parenting, the Daily Beast, and USA Today.
He is also a recent graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an interest in public relations and political communication.
- Discrimination in the child welfare system
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ families (e.g., being an LGBTQ+ advocate with lived experience in foster care)
- Child welfare policy (the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act)
Weston is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Alexis Kantor
Board Co-Chair
Based in: Minnesota
Alexis Kantor is the Interim President and CEO of Family Equality, bringing experience from her 20-year career at Target. Known for her strategic vision and dedication to advancing social justice, Alexis has been a transformative force in both the corporate and nonprofit spaces.
During her tenure at Target, Alexis held various executive leadership roles, unlocking new capabilities, and modernizing operations to drive impactful results. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been at the center of all she does, driving change and fostering inclusive cultures and environments.
Alexis is passionate about continuing the organization’s mission of supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ families. She has the love and support of her amazing spouse Jacqui and Avery, their awesome kid. The Kantor family has been changed forever because of their experience as a host home and foster parents to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
Alexis holds a degree in Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University and has been recognized for her contributions in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and community building.
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families
- LGBTQ+ news and current events
- LGBTQ+ discrimination
- LGBTQ+ rights
- LGBTQ+ parenting
- Community-centric fundraising and corporate responsibility
Alexis is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Molly Lukschander
Director of Individual Giving
Based in: Virginia
Molly (she/her) is currently the Director of Individual Giving for Family Equality, beginning in April 2023.
Molly works to sustain Family Equality’s critical mission by building meaningful and lasting relationships with supporters who are passionate about advancing legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families.
Molly is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), with a commitment to ethical, community-centered fundraising practices. She also serves on her local Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) board of directors.
- The work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (family formation)
- Being LGBTQ+ in the workplace
- Donor support
- Community-centric fundraising and corporate responsibility
Molly is available for:
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Webinars and virtual events
Matthew Ramsey
Vice President, Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships
Based in: Washington
Matthew Ramsey (he/him) is currently the Vice President, Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships, having previously served as the Chief Development Officer beginning in February 2018.
In his present role, he oversees Family Equality’s fundraising and philanthropy intiatives, as well as works to build key relationships and partnerships to advance the work of the organization. He has helped the organization build steady financial growth during his tenure with Family Equality.
Prior to joining Family Equality, Matthew’s 10+ years of experience includes Director of Marketing and Fundraising roles for other LGBTQ+ and performing arts organizations, as well as Executive Director for small, grassroots nonprofits. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in communications from Capital University and his Master of Business Administration in public policy from Ohio Dominican University.
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (adoption and foster care)
- Community-centric fundraising and corporate responsibility
- Hosting fundraisers
- Celebrity partnerships
Matthew is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Luce Remy
Vice President, Public Policy
Luce Remy (she/her) is currently the Vice President of Public Policy for Family Equality.
In the role, she focuses on expanding Family Equality’s ability to provide the needed information and advocacy for LGBTQ+ families, heterosexual families, and every family.
Luce began her career working in human rights advocacy and grass-roots capacity building. While in the United Nations (UN), she held positions as a Human Rights and Political Affairs Officer, assisting in peace negotiations in Darfur, Sudan, coordinating troop deployment, and preparing reports and talking points for the UN Secretary-General. After leaving the UN, Luce consulted with organizations in both the private and public sector to lead federal and state advocacy efforts and strategic planning.
Luce attended Columbia University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in theater and political science (to the confusion of her family and friends). She earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and clerked for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Luce finds her work most rewarding when she is able to translate abstract principles of human rights and the law into tangible policies that improve people’s lives.
- The work of Family Equality
- LGBTQ+ equality and human rights
- LGBTQ+ policy
Luce is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Anna Santa Maria
Associate Director, Archives, Storytelling, and Brand
Based in: Vermont
Anna (she/her) is Family Equality’s Associate Director of Archives, Storytelling, and Brand, where she works to protect, preserve, and make accessible the history of Family Equality and LGBTQ+ families — past, present, and future. For more than five years, she’s worked at Family Equality on a number of initiatives, including marketing, programming, education, and outreach. Prior to this work, she’s developed educational and policy-related content for leading child welfare organizations, national news companies, and nonprofits empowering historically marginalized communities.
Anna holds a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives Management. Outside of social justice nonprofits, Anna has worked at renowned universities to process and arrange manuscript collections and provide instruction and reference support to students. She also serves as the Communications Committee Chair of the New England Archivists, belongs to the Society of American Archivists and the Collections Care and Conservation Alliance, and volunteers in-person at the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum and digitally with the Smithsonian. In July 2024, Anna presented, “Transgressions, Traces, and Temporality: Identifying a Queer Framework for the History of the Book” at the California Rare Book School’s Queer Bibliography conference.
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (second generation)
- LGBTQ+ history
- LGBTQ+ representation in the media
- Libraries and archives
- The history of the book
- Storytelling & marketing
Anna is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Op-eds and written pieces
- Video recordings
- Livestreams
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Kim Simes
Executive Vice President, External Affairs
Based in: Wisconsin
Kim Simes is the Executive Vice President of External Affairs, coordinating Family Equality’s strategic alignment of diverse internal and external activities. Prior to this role, Kim served as the Director of Special Events with the Development Team, and previously served as Director of Regional Programming for Family Equality, focusing on coordinating community events in the Midwest and West Coast Regions. Kim’s passion is working with and connecting with people. Kim completed her education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earning a BA in Speech – Organizational Communication and a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Kim and her wife, Robin live in Wisconsin where they are raising their two teenage daughters. When not at school and work, the family enjoys traveling, being in + near water, walking their two rescue dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
- The history and work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (adoption)
- Working with schools to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion
- LGBTQ+ parenting
- LGBTQ+ leadership
Kim is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event
Nikhil Vashee
Director of Education Law and Policy, Senior Policy Counsel
Nikhil Vashee (they/them) is currently the Director of Education Law and Policy, Senior Policy Counsel for Family Equality. In this role, they promote policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure LGBTQ+ families’ access to quality education in a supportive environment. They also oversee litigation, amicus curiae briefs, and other legal efforts to combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ families in education.
Since graduating from Georgetown Law School in 2016, Nikhil has focused their career on advocating for educational equity. They have worked for the Washington, D.C. school district to ensure quality, accessibility, and compliance in both traditional public and public charter schools.
- The work of Family Equality
- Education law and policy
- Real stories from LGBTQ+ people (as an LGBTQ+ immigrant and a nonbinary person of color)
- LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy
Nikhil is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
Meg York
Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy, Senior Policy Counsel
Meg York (she/her) is currently the Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy and Senior Policy Counsel. In these roles, Meg advances a proactive agenda for LGBTQ+ family formation and protection.
Prior to joining Family Equality, Meg was a Professor of Law and Director of the Family Law Project at the school’s legal clinic. In addition to teaching substantive law, Meg won several cases that changed the legal landscape for all LGBTQ+ individuals in her state. Before her professorship, Meg worked as a family law attorney, representing clients in divorce, parentage, custody, and adoption proceedings, as well as representing children and parents in abuse and neglect cases. She also supported the specific legal needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Meg’s background includes working with various nonprofits focused on LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, racial equity, rural advocacy, and animal welfare issues.
Meg was named one of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40. She has published numerous articles on legal advocacy and LGBTQ+ rights.
Meg is committed to providing high-quality legal advocacy to the most vulnerable, and to making legal protections available and accessible to all.
- The work of Family Equality
- Stories from real LGBTQ+ parents and families (assisted reproduction)
- LGBTQ+ family law
- LGBTQ+ family-building (specifically assisted reproduction)
- Parentage protections
- LGBTQ+ advocacy
- LGBTQ+ rights
- LGBTQ+ parenting
- Being LGBTQ+ in a rural area
- Constitutional analysis and Supreme Court commentary
Meg is available for:
- Podcasts
- Media inquiries
- Video recordings
- Webinars and virtual events
- In-person keynotes and workshops
- Television interviews
- Speaking at an event