Board Members

Stephanie Merlo, Chair

Stephanie Merlo is an LGBTQ+ advocate, community leader, and Army veteran based in Richmond, Virginia. She has been actively engaged in advancing equity, representation, and protections for LGBTQ+ Virginians through both state-level service and community-based advocacy.

Stephanie served on the Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2021 to 2023 and was reappointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to continue her service. She currently serves as Chair of the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, where she helps guide the Board’s work, facilitates collaboration among members, and supports the development of recommendations concerning statutory, regulatory, and policy issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities across the Commonwealth.

In this role, Stephanie works to elevate the experiences and concerns of LGBTQ+ Virginians, including issues related to education, housing, safety, employment, healthcare access, and nondiscrimination. She is also committed to strengthening relationships between the state advisory board, local LGBTQ+ commissions, community organizations, advocates, and residents throughout Virginia. In Richmond, she remains involved in initiatives that promote inclusion, visibility, survivor support, and meaningful community representation.

Stephanie is also a dedicated advocate for survivors of military sexual trauma. Following her military service, she became involved in a grassroots initiative that amplified survivor voices and contributed to the passage of the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act, landmark federal legislation that strengthened military accountability and reformed how the armed forces address sexual harassment and sexual assault.

She also served on the Military Service Academy Board of former U.S. Representative and current Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. In that capacity, Stephanie contributed her perspective and experience as a veteran to help evaluate and support future military leaders.

Stephanie’s leadership, advocacy, and public service have earned her multiple honors, including two community awards recognizing her impact and service, congressional recognition for civic engagement, and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her sustained commitment to volunteerism and community leadership.

Through her LGBTQ+ advocacy, military service, survivor-centered work, and commitment to public service, Stephanie continues to champion accountability, equity, inclusion, and the empowerment of marginalized voices throughout Virginia and beyond.

Alexsis Rodgers, Vice Chair

Bio Coming Soon

Dr. Inta “Maggie” Tolan

Bio coming soon

L.Frances Brown

L.Frances was born and raised in New York City where she attended parochial and public schools through high school.  She is a proud graduate of Howard University where she received degrees in Sociology and Psychology and earned an Advanced Degree in School Psychology.  She worked in urban school districts in the District of Columbia, Henrico and Chesterfield counties, and held the position of Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in Dallas, Texas for ten years.  L. Frances retired after 30 years of service but continued to support mental health initiatives focused on school aged youth across the Commonwealth.  However, her activism and dedication to LGBTQIA+ issues began with her son’s journey toward gender authenticity.  She quickly realized as a parent she needed help and the family needed help.  Although she participated in many parent support groups where “a good cry,” and affirming comments were the only offering.  She established a BIPOC caregiver support group in 2024 entitled Replenishing Roots, which gave rise to meaningful discussions on the intersectionality of race and gender.  For the first time caregivers could talk freely about feeling marginalized and isolated during their children’s transition.  Today, Replenishing Roots provides a trusted space to share personal stories, exchange research, speak honestly, and provide focused emotional support directly from one caregiver to another caregiver.  Initially, L.Frances became an advocate because of my son’s journey.  However, she now proudly advocates for the diversity of LGBTQIA+ voices of families who wish for equity, inclusion, and belonging for their loved ones.  She experiences life with awareness that dignity and respect should never depend on WHO you love; WHERE you were born; WHAT you believe; or WHICH zip code you call home.

L.Frances serves on many local and national boards to include Transforming Futures; Equality Virginia; Replenishing Roots; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Virginia Academy of School Psychologists (VASP); National Association of School Psychologist (NASP);  and Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) where her lived experience and perspective on LGBTQIA+ issues is respected.

She currently lives in Henrico County with her husband of 33 years and is the proud parent of three adult children.

Aneesah Smith

Aneesah Smith is a community-centered equity leader, belonging strategist, and advocate dedicated to advancing justice, access, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color. A queer woman of color with more than 15 years of leadership experience, Aneesah’s work spans higher education, nonprofit organizations, and local government, where she focuses on strengthening systems that support historically marginalized communities.

She currently serves as the Equity & LGBTQIA+ Advisor for the City of Richmond, Virginia, where she works across departments and with community partners to advance inclusive policies, strengthen access to city services, and build trust between local government and the communities it serves. In this role, Aneesah advises on equity-centered policy development, supports community engagement initiatives, and helps guide the City’s efforts to improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ residents and others who have experienced systemic barriers. She also serves as Vice Chair of OutRVA, a program of Richmond Region Tourism that promotes LGBTQ+ tourism and community engagement in collaboration with regional partners.

Prior to her work in government, Aneesah held leadership roles in higher education, including Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State Abington and Director of LGBTQA Services at West Chester University, where she developed programs and initiatives that created more inclusive and affirming campus environments.

Aneesah is committed to strengthening partnerships across Virginia, uplifting the voices of queer people of color and gender-diverse individuals, and advancing collaborative strategies that promote safety, dignity, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ communities across the Commonwealth. She is a proud mother, daughter, sister, partner, and member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Michael Aho

Michael Aho is a former U.S. Government employee who now works for a government contractor and serves as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He served for over 20 years at the Department of State and Central Intelligence Agency. Originally from Charleston, SC, Michael grew up in Virginia Beach, VA from age four. He and his husband, Joe Esparza, a U.S. Navy veteran originally from Texas, live in Falls Church, VA.

Most recently in his government role, Michael was Senior Advisor for Multilateral and Nuclear Affairs, serving as the most authoritative professional in the Department of State on projects and initiatives to implement multilateral arms control policy directions. He also served in Europe working on similar issues. As a Foreign Service Officer, Michael served at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, where he helped lead multilateral efforts to remove chemical weapons from Syria. He served as a senior analytic manager at CIA, where he led several analytic teams in Washington, DC; he also served as the daily briefer to an Executive Cabinet Office and co-chaired ANGLE, the CIA LGBTQ employee resource group. He is also a member of glifaa. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts from East Carolina University (ECU), completed a certificate of training in UN Peace Support Operations, earned a Master’s in Peace Operations Policy from George Mason University, and completed an Executive Certificate in Leadership at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He has received three individual and four group Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Honor Awards from the Department of State; the Director of National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Award; a recognition coin from the Joint Chiefs of Staff; CIA’s Distinguished Analyst Award and Exceptional Performance Awards; and ECU’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

Michael chairs the ECU Global Affairs Advisory Council; he previously served on the ECU Board of Visitors and as Chair of the ECU Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is a member of the United Nations Association of the USA, the Arms Control Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Michael and Joe and are members of many museums and support causes, particularly those for underserved populations, in Virginia, DC, North Carolina, Texas, and New York. They also fund scholarships for ECU students to receive their undergraduate education.

Jacob Carasella

Jacob Carasella is a proud native of the Virginia Peninsula. He grew up in Yorktown before attending James Madison University, where he earned degrees in International Affairs and Political Science. After graduating, he chose to return home, motivated by a deep commitment to strengthening the community that shaped his life.

Over the years, Jacob has built a wide-ranging background in public service. He has worked on political campaigns across multiple levels of government and served as a Legislative Aide to several members of the Virginia General Assembly. His career also includes impactful work in the nonprofit sector, where he supported initiatives focused on advancing responsible energy development throughout Virginia.

Today, Jacob serves as an External Affairs Representative with Dominion Energy. In this role, he collaborates with customers, community partners, and local leaders throughout Hampton Roads, working to support the region’s success and long-term vitality. His dedication to the area is reflected not only in his work, but in his active participation in regional organizations.

Jacob serves on the Tidewater Trails Alliance, the Central Business District Association in Town Center Virginia Beach, and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Foundation. He is also a 2024 graduate of LEAD757 through the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

He currently lives on the Peninsula with his fiancé and their dog, Duke.

Kerry Flynn

Kerry Flynn is a lifelong Virginian and Richmond area native. He grew up in Chesterfield County, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters of Teaching in secondary social studies. While in college he interned for two members of the House of Delegates and conducted research for HR 151 to Commemorate the life and legacy of Boaz Fleming. An active community leader, he serves on various committees, including the Virginia Council for the Social Studies, and has been active in Virginia politics since college. He is currently a history teacher in Richmond City Public Schools and lives in Petersburg with an independent cat named Fruit Cake.

Jason Geske

Jason Geske is a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunication and Information Administration. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America. 

Teri Crawford Brown

Teri Crawford Brown was born and raised in Jewel Ridge, Va., and as a child never went off the mountain unless it was for a special family trip to Dairy Queen. Teri now lives in Richlands, Va., in a century-old church that she has been sustainably renovating with her husband. To her, the mountains of Virginia have always been home, and a home she wants to protect.

Mrs. Crawford Brown serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Blackberry Winter, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a “hand up” to people during a “cold snap” in their lives.

Mrs. Crawford Brown earned her MSN with a concentration in Nursing Administration and Leadership at VCU Medical Center. She was appointed to the VA LGBTQ+ Advisory Board by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2022.

Chris Gordon

Chris Gordon has spent his career at the intersection of government finance and healthcare access, managing programs that serve millions of Americans.

Chris currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of North Carolina Medicaid at the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Health Benefits, where he oversees access to healthcare for more than 3.1 million North Carolinians, supported by a $41.43 billion program. In this capacity, he manages complex state and federal financing mechanisms and actuarial oversight, partnering with advocacy groups, hospital associations, and provider organizations — including NC Hospital Association and NC Association of Health Plans — to shape healthcare access for vulnerable populations across the state.

Prior to his current role, Chris spent six and half years as CFO at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, where he managed finances for the Medicaid program serving nearly two million Virginians. Notable accomplishments include creating $6 million in supplemental payments for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and leading a $190 million Medicaid enterprise system modernization.

Chris holds an MBA, a Master of Science in Business Analytics, and a Master of Accounting, all from William & Mary's Mason School of Business. He also holds Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications, and has published in the Journal of Government Financial Management.

A Virginia resident, Chris lives in Hopewell with his husband. He is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and access to services for LGBTQ Virginians and their families, and is honored to contribute to this important advisory work.

Tuan Ho

Tuan is a serial founder and Partner at Xfund. Prior to Xfund, as co-founder of Philo, Tuan pioneered live-streaming television, marking Xfund's first investment. While building Philo, Tuan’s commitment to entrepreneurship at Harvard extended through his role in helping to launch the Harvard Innovation Lab. After Philo, Tuan was instrumental in establishing the Founder-In-Residence program at Atomic Labs, where he became the Co-Founder & CEO of Raydiant, a leading AI platform for automating in-store customer experiences. In North Carolina, Tuan was a key figure working with investors, partners, and the local government to transform the historic Lucky Strike tobacco factory into a dynamic startup hub.

Tuan earned his A.B. degree in Chemistry & Physics at Harvard College and M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School, specializing in tech policy and national security. Beyond his involvement with Xfund, Tuan actively advises and angel invests in startups specializing in telemedicine, robotics, data infrastructure, and blockchain. Tuan also serves on the Governor of Virginia’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Kellen MacBeth

Kellen MacBeth is the President and Founder of Equality Arlington, an LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit. He also serves as Chair of Arlington's Housing Commission and on the Executive Committee of the NAACP Arlington Branch. He previously served as Chair of Arlington's Tenant-Landlord Commission, Chair of the NAACP Arlington Branch's Housing Committee, and on numerous other boards and commissions serving his community. He works in federal consulting and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Marymount University and a Masters in Policy Management from Georgetown University. He lives with his husband in Arlington.

Alonzo Mable

Alonzo Mable is originally a Washington, D.C. native and is now a resident of Henrico County.

Mr. Mable is a senior logistician and systems manager for the Naval Sea Command within the U.S. Navy. He is a 2014 graduate of Geneva College where he completed a degree in Biochemistry and played strong safety for four years on the Geneva football team.

He continues his love for sports and football by coaching for the last 7 years at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond and has also been a coach for the Richmond Black Widows womens football team and team captain for the National Gay Flag Football League champion team - The DC Admirals.

Mr. Mable and his partner John attend St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond and are active in community and charitable fundraising events. Alonzo travels overseas extensively and has worked or toured in more than 40 countries in Europe, Central and South America, Asia and Africa.

Reed Williams

Reed Williams (she/her) is a communications strategist and LGBTQ+ advocate based in Virginia Beach. A proud transgender Virginian who transitioned at age 12, Reed brings both lived experience and professional expertise to advancing policies that support LGBTQ+ communities across the Commonwealth.

She serves as Communications Director for Equality Virginia, Virginia’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, where she leads messaging, media relations, and narrative strategy on issues affecting LGBTQ+ Virginians, including civil rights, health equity, and public policy. In this role, she has helped shape advocacy efforts on issues ranging from transgender rights and HIV/AIDS health care access to broader statewide policy and electoral campaigns.

A nationally recognized speaker and writer, Reed delivered a talk at TEDWomen 2023 on affirming summer camps for LGBTQ+ youth and has written on LGBTQ+ policy and politics. She has also spoken to medical professionals and community audiences about supporting transgender youth. Before entering statewide advocacy, she worked as a grant writer supporting programs for homeless and at-risk youth in Hampton Roads.

Reed holds a B.A. with High Distinction in Political and Social Thought and English Literature from the University of Virginia. She served as Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate in 2021.