Leading figures in New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community: I – Z


Shawn LaTourette
N.J. Environmental Protection Agency

As commissioner of the state’s EPA, LaTourette is front and center on some of the biggest issues facing the state.

 

Matthew McHale
NJ Transit 

Deputy chief of staff at New Jersey Transit is former mayor of Dumont and managing director of Drumthwacket.

 

Citi Medina
=Space 

He designed =SPACE, a unique coworking space in Newark, where multicultural people, LGBTQA and women-owned startups and ventures can work and build a community. It aims to fill the gap of diverse talent in entrepreneurship and tech industries.

 

John Mikytuck
Qspot 

Mikytuck, who serves as executive director of Qspot, has addressed issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community for more than 30 years.

 

Patricia Nagle
Pride Center of N.J.

She is the interim co-president (along with Mark McSpirit) of Highland Park-based center that has helped thousands in the LGTBTQ+ community since 1994.

 

Kyle O’Donnell
N.J. Economic Development Authority

Plays key role at EDA in supporting the D&I department that uses metrics and data to measure the diversity effectiveness of external programs and internal (staff-focused) workplace inclusion strategy development. 

 

Gus Penaranda
N.J. Pride Chamber of Commerce

Through his work as executive director of Pride Chamber and advocating with the administration, he is one the most impactful leaders in the state.

 

Tom Prol
Sills Cummis & Gross 

One of the top environmental and land use attorneys in the state, he also was the first openly gay president of the N.J. State Bar Association (2016-2017) — and has been a vocal advocate on advancing marriage equality and rights in the state.

 

Christopher Reber
Hudson County Community College

He became the school’s sixth president in 2018, but he has devoted his entire 40-year career to higher education.

 

Cathy Renna
Target Cue 

Owner of Target Cue is nationally recognized as both a media relations and communications expert who has played a critical role in nearly every issue affecting LGBTB populations, including high-visibility issues such as marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

 

Elizabeth Schedl
Hudson Pride Center 

Now the executive director, she has been with Hudson Pride for 10 years, raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues while strengthening and growing the Center’s services and cultural programs.

 

Larry Sieg
Meet AC

Long-time CREDA board member has been in charge of Meet AC for nearly three years.

 


Beatrice Simpkins
Newark LGBTQ Center

Dynamic, dedicated and energetic professional with over 20 years of solid experience and strong commitment to community service and social, health and economic justice has been executive director of Newark Center since 2019.

 

Monica Smith
Marketsmith

Founder and CEO of the most successful marketing and branding agency in the state.

 

Jennifer Williams
City of Trenton

Williams is the first member of the Trenton City Council — and the first transgender person elected to any municipal council statewide.

 

Peter Yacobellis
Out Montclair

Founder and executive director of Out Montclair, the lifelong public servant also is on the city council in Montclair.