Meet Our Board
Simon Anderson Schelling (he/him) Board Chair
Simon is a mental health professional. Having started transitioning twenty years ago, he has seen the growth in the LGBTQ+ community and knows there is still room to grow. As the Chair of LGBTQ Outreach of Porter County, he strives to meet the mission statement by working with the board and community to promote an affirming and safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and adults through empowerment, advocacy, opportunity, and support.
He lives in Valparaiso with his family.
Ezra Burke (he/him) Secretary
Ezra is a long-time public school teacher who comes to the LGBTQ+ Outreach board with a background in youth programming, team building & challenge education, curriculum development, and work in social justice activism.
He has been involved in LGBTQ education and advocacy work since the mid-1990s and is passionate about ensuring equal treatment, equal rights, supportive spaces, and inclusive community.
Ezra has a Master’s Degree in Special Education. He lives in Valparaiso with his family.
Dr. Mark Fesenmyer (he/him) Treasurer
Dr. Mark Fesenmyer is a physician in Northwest Indiana who grew up in Schererville and attended Purdue University and Indiana University School of Medicine. A member of the LGBTQ community, he lives in Valparaiso with his husband and their two dogs. He currently serves as an at-large member of the board.
Carrie Sovola (she/her)
Carrie is a Lutheran deaconess whose ministry is advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
An LGBTQ Outreach Board Member At Large since January 2021, she also co-chairs the LGBTQ Business Resource Group at her place of employment and volunteers with local area PFLAG chapters.
Carrie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and is trained in Family Systems Theory as it relates to organizational conflict resolution.
She lives in Schererville, IN.
Megan Lane (she/her)
Megan is a construction consultant and manager for over 53 years and has traveled across the world overseeing projects to help eliminate weapons of mass destruction. She started her transition some thirty years ago and has seen the growth and changes within the LGBTQ+ community and knows that much still needs to be accomplished.
As a board member she strives to help the community and board to promote and provide a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth and adults through empowerment, advocacy, opportunities, and support.
Community Consultants
Dr. Mark McMurtrey (he/him)
Dr. Mark McMurtrey is a family medical doctor in Valparaiso. He is the medical director of the Valparaiso University Student Health Center and of the PRISM youth group. One of Outreach’s founding members, Mark is an outspoken community ally and organization volunteer.
Tara Morgan (she/her)
Tara is our Education Committee chair. A self-employed salon owner in Lake County providing haircuts to the LGBTQ+ community, Tara has experience leading presentations and discussions on a variety of topics. We are happy to have her as our liaison to various organizations and educational institutions planning and leading tailored workshops.
Supporting Organizations
Alliance (VU student org)
Geminus
HealthLinc
Michigan City PFLAG
Porter County Substance Abuse Council
Trinity Lutheran Church, Valparaiso
Valparaiso PFLAG
Valparaiso Public Library
Valparaiso University