The Vernita Gray Council is a passionate and dynamic auxiliary board made up of influencers and innovators who want to help further the mission and vision of Howard Brown. Named after Vernita Gray, the Council honors a longtime champion of the rights of LGBTQ people, African Americans, and women who served as a community volunteer, donor, and advocate. Through the council, members grow in their understanding of the health disparities facing the LGBTQ+ community and the resilience of LGBTQ+ people.
As a group, the Vernita Gray Council supports advocacy opportunities, champions and attends agency events, raises funds to support Howard Brown’s mission, and grows awareness of the work of the agency in the community.
Drake Nickell
Council Chair
(he/him/his)
Jamie Umanzor
Council Vice Chair
(she/her/hers)
Benjamin Paulsen
Council Treasurer
(he/him/his)
Naji Hattar
Council Membership Committee Chair
(he/him/his)
Tyler Dantuma
Council Outreach and Engagement Committee Chair
(he/him/his)
Ruba Al Badawi
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Josh Bradley
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Stefanie Clark
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Mason Gossard
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Mo Green
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Brandy Hatcher
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Ken Mejia-Beal
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Han Nguyen
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Mel Parks
Council Member at large
(He/Him/His)
Riham Ramadan
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Trevor Rayhons
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Michal Sered-Schoenberg
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Abigail Wolf
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Interested in Joining the Council?
Questions? Please contact Katie Metos, Director of Development, at katiem@howardbrown.org