Nic Murphy is an award-winning nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and social justice. With over a decade of leadership experience, she has dedicated her career to advancing equity, inclusion, and transformative change for marginalized communities.  

As a former Executive Director of the Women's Debate Institute, a gender expansive nonprofit, Nic increased annual revenue through strategic fundraising, built diverse partnerships, and launched programs that impacted thousands globally. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to creating sustainable and affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals and other historically excluded groups.  

Nic’s advocacy extends beyond nonprofit leadership—she has worked on national and international initiatives addressing systemic discrimination, environmental justice, and community empowerment. 

Raised in Ferguson, MO, Nic understands firsthand the impact of systemic oppression and uses her platform to challenge inequities at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality. Today, she continues to drive change through entrepreneurial ventures that merge policy, education, and technology to uplift LGBTQIA+ communities.  

Connect with Nic to learn more about her work and thought leadership in nonprofit advocacy and social justice.

Serenity is a proud Kentuckian from Hardin County, where she is currently employed in retail. She is active both in her community and across the state, advocating for civic engagement and LGBTQ rights. Serenity believes in a Kentucky that is welcoming and inclusive to Kentuckians from all walks of life, not just a select few. 

Applications for this position will be coming soon!

Carmen is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 25 years of experience in organizational management and development, program development, grant writing, and fundraising as a staff member for Frontier Housing and The Lexington Pride Center. She currently works as a nonprofit consultant at Grant Ready Kentucky and at her own consulting business, founded in 2006, where she serves nonprofits throughout the commonwealth with her fundraising and grant writing expertise. As a lesbian, Carmen has been a passionate advocate in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights since the early 1990s. Originally from Rowan County, Kentucky, she was a founding member and Trustee of Rowan County Rights Coalition, which was formed to protect human and civil rights in Rowan and surrounding counties in Eastern Kentucky. She participated in protests and actions to support couples who were denied marriage licenses in Rowan County in the wake of the June 2015 SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling, and she and her spouse became the first couple to apply for a marriage license after the infamous County Clerk there was released from jail. Carmen treasured serving Kentucky’s LGBTQIA+ communities as the first Executive Director of the Lexington Pride Center, and looks forward to continuing to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth in Kentucky as a board member for Camp Beacon. Carmen shares her life with her spouse of 30 years, their two adult sons, and 3 cats. Outside of work, she loves reading, writing, making art, traveling, and causing good trouble. 

Jordan is a proud lifelong Kentuckian working to advocate for the health and rights of our neighbors. He has been the Senior Field Organizer at Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Kentucky for the last 8 years. Before joining the team at Planned Parenthood, he spent several years teaching in the field of Communications at the University of Kentucky and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. When he isn’t working, Jordan likes to spend time with his husband and family, cook and watch sports or scary movies. He also enjoys getting outside, building a fire and taking in the beauty of our state. 

Alex is a proud queer and transgender Western Kentuckian wanting to make the world a safer place for kids that were like him. He studied Educational Policy at Murray State University and graduated with his bachelor’s and associates in the arts. He currently works as a substitute teacher and works as a field organizer during political campaign season. Alex firmly believes that education is inherently political and standing up for kids and their families regardless of one’s personal beliefs is the bare minimum.