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. 

Dominique moved to Lexington in 2007, having been raised in New York, and spent some years living abroad in Germany.  Dominique Olbert's parents were refugees from Poland and Russia.  She helped launch Community Response Coalition of Kentucky,  was their founding Chair, and is now its Executive Director.  Dominique has served on a number of nonprofit boards, most of them focusing on immigration and LGBTQ related missions.  She is passionate about inclusivity and deeply committed to language access.  Her first language is French.  Dominique lives in Lexington with her two dogs and cat, and visits from her two children.

Dominique received her B.A. in English Literature from Barnard College, Columbia University, her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, and her Alcoholism Counseling degree from The New School. She is a Department of Justice (DOJ) Partially Accredited Representative and a licensed Notary. 

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. 

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. 

Applications being actively reviewed for this role.. If you have questions about the status of your application, please email campbeaconky@gmail.com