Meet the team
Meet the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to run our organization.
Meet the Staff
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Mya Amelse (She/Her) Program and Volunteer Coordinator
Mya graduated in May 2025 from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and she has several years of experience advocating for the NWI community as an activist born and raised in Northwest Indiana and as a board member with Gabriel’s Horn Shelter. Her goal is to make her community a better place for everyone in it.
Meet the Board
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Hannah Hammond-Hagman (she/her) Board Chair
Hannah is the Executive Director of the Chesterton Art Center. She joins us with a variety of non-profit board experience. She currently sits on the Chesterton Branding & Leadership Corporation as well as the Regional Arts Council. Hannah formerly served on the Valparaiso Creative Council and the Valpo Human Relations Committee.
Hannah has been a part of LGBTQ+ community work and advocacy for over 30 years!
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Rex (they/them) Board Chair
Rex is a long time Outreach community member who is excited to serve in a larger capacity!
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Ari Francis (she/her) Secretary
Ari created a connection with Outreach during her time as an undergraduate student at Valparaiso University as former President of the LGBTQ+ student organization on campus and has since been involved following graduation in 2022.
She has a history of supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth both through previous work experience and community involvement. Her goal is to provide resources and spaces for queer joy to be embraced and celebrated.
She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician in Valparaiso.
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Megan Lane (she/her) Treasurer
Megan was 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.
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Marty Brewer
Marty was an I.U. School of Medicine administrator, Marion County Public Defenders office paralegal, and Midwest Academy of Healing Arts lead instructor from which she retired in 2015.
In 2019 Marty lost her wife, Sherri, and moved from their home they shared for thirty five years in Indianapolis to Michigan City.
Searching for “her people” she found a new home with the Outreach family.
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Jeanine (she/her)
Jeanine is a professional educator from Northwest Indiana, known for her deep commitment to advocacy and inclusive support for students with disabilities. Guided by a passion for human rights and equality for all, she has spent years volunteering with multiple organizations that work to support, improve and strengthen their communities. Jeanine is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities alike and is very excited about joining the Outreach team.
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Former Board Members and Supporting Organizations
Ronny Stillman
Scott Saporiti
Simon Anderson Schelling
Ezra Burke
Carrie Sovola
Dr. Mark McMurtrey
Tara Morgan
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Alliance (Valpo University student org)
Geminus
HealthLinc
Michigan City PFLAG
Trinity Lutheran Church, Valparaiso
Valparaiso PFLAG
Valparaiso Public Library
Valparaiso University

