OFFICERS
Sandy Anderson
CPA/PFS, CGMA, Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA®) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Pronouns: she/ her Board Chair Ms. Anderson is retired from Texas Instruments after a long career supporting a multitude of domestic and international roles in Operations, Finance and Accounting with an emphasis on financial process improvement and talent development. She currently works for Anderson & Associates Financial, LLC as a personal financial planner, and for Anderson & Associates Consulting, LLC as a business consultant in Finance, Operations and Accounting issues. Ms. Anderson’s community involvement has included multiple terms as a member of her homeowners association in various positions; and, as a Deacon and Stephen Minister at her church. Ms. Anderson is the winner of D CEO Magazine’s 2012 Financial Executives Award for “Outstanding Chief Accounting Officer, Controller, or Treasurer – Public Company”. She is a US Army Veteran and continues to support Veterans through her lifetime membership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as well as a big sister in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Military Mentors Program. She also serves on the Collin County Big Brothers Big Sisters board on the Board Development committee. She is a member of and active in the AICPA, Dallas CPA Society, FPA, FPA-DFW, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce; serves as the board Chair for the Coalition for Aging LGBT, chair of the Finance & Fundraising committee, and serves on the Governance committee for CFA LGBT; and, is a “1st 100” Contributor to the Texas Pride Impact Fund. 
Kim Macpherson
Vice Chair Pronouns: she /her Board Vice Chair Kim and her wife Janet (Fi) Macpherson have been long time social activists for the LGBTQ community, protesters for racial equality and advocates for women’s rights in the North Texas area for almost 40 years. Over the years, in the fight for gay and lesbian equal rights, Kim and Janet participated in the 1989 March on Austin, the 1993 One in a Million March on Washington, the 1994 Gay Games / Stonewall 25th, and many Gay Pride parades throughout the country. Some of the key events in the struggle for racial equality and equity as well as women’s rights, includes protesting against the 1988 Ku Klux Klan rally in downtown Dallas, marching in the 1992 March for Women’s lives in Washington DC, and in 1993 serving as protectors for women seeking entrance into an abortion clinic in Houston, TX. The various boards, committees, conferences, community, and political activities that Kim has served on and/or participated, on behalf of the LGBTQ community, include Big Brothers / Big Sisters, Democratic Delegate for 2004 State Convention, PFLAG Denton County board member, Texas Lesbian Conference (1988-2004) participant, Lez Talk Woman’s Empowerment Conference (2018) panel member / attendee, HRC Dallas Federal Club committe member, Dallas Black Tie table sponsor, Lambda Legal Southwest Region Board member. Currently, Kim serves as a board member of the Coalition for Aging LGBT, and is the chair of the CFA signature fundraising event, Dallas Wings Celebrity Serve. Professionally, Kim worked twenty-eight years in the business world in sales and has spent the past eleven years teaching high school English at Irving High School where she is one of the faculty sponsors for the Tiger Pride-Gay Straight Alliance student group. She will celebrate her 40th anniversary with the love of her life, Janet (Fi) Macpherson in February, 2020. |
Robert Emery Founding Board Member and Treasurer Pronouns: he/ his Board Treasurer Robert is a founding board member of the Coalition For Aging LGBT, and has served as Vice-Chair. He has been a busy civic volunteer for more than 40 years. Robert is also a founding board member of The Dallas Way: a GLBT History Project. He has served on the Board of Directors of Black Tie Dinner and the Friends of WRR, Dallas’ classical music radio station (101.1 on your FM dial). Robert was Grand Marshal of the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in 2013. He served on the planning committee for the “Queer History South” conference in Birmingham, AL, and is working to bring the conference to North Texas in 2020. He serves on the planning committee for the “Arts District Block Party”, held annually in the Dallas Arts District. He is a member of the DFW Federal Club, and is a “1 st 100” contributor to the Texas Pride Impact Fund. He is pleased and proud to be “Uncle” to EmeryAnn, Finley, and River. Robert is dedicated to bringing LGBT+ Senior Housing to Dallas. 
Rana Spruell Board Secretary Pronouns: she /her Board Secretary Rana Spruell currently works for Lockheed Martin as a Senior Global Supply Chain Program Manager. She is also a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, and served in the United States Air Force and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Rana has continued her involvement with community organizations, including the Special Olympics (1988), Colorado Springs Youth Advocacy (1997-1998), United States Army Officer Mentor (1995 - 1997), and Big Brothers and Sisters New Hampshire (2010 – 2015). |
DIRECTORS |
Mario Boffa
Director Pronouns: he /him Mario’s work experience spans both the finance and aviation industry with a focus on project and product management. Currently, he works at Wells Fargo as a Product Manager for their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion enterprise group. His specific focus is on third party partnerships, diverse supplier spend, and enhancing financial products to meet the needs of diverse customers. Mario has been involved in LGBTQ+ causes for over 15 years and currently holds a leadership position in the Dallas Fort Worth employee resource group. The Coalition for Aging LGBT holds a special importance to him as this is something that affects everyone and benefits with support from all age groups. |
Erin E. Eisner
Director Pronouns: she /her Erin serves as the CEO of work/REFINED, a people and culture advisory firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and training. Erin has spent her career working on people initiatives and workplace systems. She is an experienced strategist and trusted counselor who steps in alongside businesses and leadership teams to deliver practical, impactful results. Erin has C suite experience leading human resources, diversity and inclusion, corporate culture, change management, training and leadership development. Erin is also an attorney and spent the first part of her career as an employment law trial lawyer and general counsel for both small and large organizations. Prior to starting work/REFINED, Erin held key roles at the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security and the Boy Scouts of America – where she helped lead the opening of the organization to LGBT youth and adult volunteers and the inclusion of young women in the organization. Erin is a frequent keynote speaker, presenter and facilitator in the areas of people systems, DEI, leadership development, conflict resolution, management training, board governance, workplace culture, and employment law. Erin is a native of Southern California but calls Texas home after her 25 years in the Dallas area. She attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas. She enjoys travel with her family and trying to keep up with her active teenage children. |
Jaime Esposito
Director Pronouns: they /them Jaime Esposito is a percussion performer and educator in the DFW area. In 2018, they co-founded Spectrum Ensemble, which highlights talented musicians in the LGBTQA+ community. The ensemble commissions new music by Queer composers which showcases the talents of the underrepresented artists of the LGBTQA+ community, and performs these works around the country. Jaime frequently plays with Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony, Allen Symphony, and Abilene Philharmonic. They have also had the opportunity to travel around the word and perform with groups such as the International Lyric Academy, Britten-Pears Festival Orchestra, World Percussion Group, and Heartland Marimba. Jaime maintains a private lesson studio of 50+ students in the Hurst Euless Bedford (HEB) school district. Jaime is passionate about the queer community and beyond excited for the opportunity to serve as a Board Member for the Coalition for Aging LGBT. To find out more about Jaime and what they do check out the links below! www.spectrumensemble.org www.JaimeEspositoPercussion.com |
G.J. Hodson
Director Pronouns: she/they/he G.J. Hodson, M.A., (he/they/she) is a former caregiver and community educator whose caregiver journey reified his gender journey. Working with organizations such as Alzheimer's Association and Caregiver Wellness Retreats, G.J. creates and delivers original programming on care topics such as dementia in LGBT(Q) contexts, caring during the COVID-19 pandemic, and tensions within care families; they also host several dementia care support groups, including the Coalition's own Silver Linings. G.J. has facilitated continuing education for counselors and social workers, served on Q&A panels, and delivered guest lectures to classes in Sociology, Psychology, and Speech Pathology. A pandemic graduate, G.J. recently earned a Master's in Sociology and a certificate in Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies from Texas Woman's University. They have presented findings at national and regional conferences and published articles analyzing systemic inequalities within care work. Their current projects include a qualitative study of expansive gender identities through University of Illinois - Chicago and University of North Texas and developing articles with Sociologists for Trans Justice. A self-described "Xennial", G.J. grew up observing demographic shifts on Fort Worth's Eastside. She attended New York University and worked for a small nonprofit in Washington, D.C., before returning to North Texas. Her other pre-care work included political communications, organizing sex and relationship workshops, and performing in a haunted house. She previously served on Creating Change's 2010 Dallas Host Committee. G.J. lives in the DFW Metroplex with chosen family and is active on social media. 
Chris Wallace
Director Pronouns: he /his Chris Wallace is President/CEO of the North Texas Commission, a public-private partnership that works with the region’s most prominent leaders to tackle the greatest challenges for the 13-county area. The NTC manages the region’s unified legislative advocacy voice at the state and federal levels. In addition to his advocacy and education-focused vision, under Wallace’s leadership, the Commission has also placed a greater emphasis on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion with the establishment the region’s first DE&I Summit and comprehensive resources. Prior to joining the NTC, Wallace was President/COO of the Texas Association of Business, the state chamber of commerce based in Austin. As a registered lobbyist, Chris has led advocacy initiatives in the areas of economic development and trade having founded the highly recognized and successful Keep Texas Open for Business Coalition, defeating discriminatory and unnecessary legislation in the 86th Texas Legislative Session. Wallace also managed statewide campaigns reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, the Texas-Mexico Trade Coalition (advocating for the passage of the USMCA), as well as the need for telemedicine in Texas. Wallace is a current member of the faculty and past chairman of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management as well as a former Regent of Northeast Institute at Villanova University. He is among a group of less than 700 executives in the nation who have earned their CCE (Certified Chamber Executive) designation. He also serves on the national board of the Business & Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC), the Texas Advisory Board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the statewide board of CHILDREN AT RISK. He is a 1992 graduate of Texas Tech University and serves on the Texas Tech Chancellor's Council and previously on the Professional Advisory Board of the College of Media and Communication where he was named an outstanding alumnus in 2008. Wallace is a frequent presenter and media resource on trade, the business case for diversity as well as immigration reform. He was a finalist for a 2010 White House Fellowship and is featured among the Dallas 500 most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth by D CEO Magazine. |
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ORGANIZATION STAFF
Dr. Diane Thornton
Pronouns: she /her Executive Director Diane Thornton is a retired school Superintendent and past CEO/President of a nonprofit. Diane is very passionate about working with the community collaboratively to help make a difference. She holds a doctorate with emphasis in Educational Leadership. Diane volunteers as an advocate for CASA of Dallas and is an active board member on her son’s school advisory board. Diane’s combined experience as a Superintendent and CEO/President has given her the opportunities to help grow the organizations through organizational leadership, strategic planning and partnerships, relationship building and fiscal management. Diane’s love for her family is one that is shared with her wife and son. They have been active in the LGBTQ community for many years and believe in the importance of awareness, support and compassion for the everyday mission to allow for a safe and fair environment for all. Email: DianeThornton@cfa.lgbt |
Briana Monsalve
Pronouns: she /her Project Lead & Organization Outreach Manager Briana is a communications and business operations support professional who is passionate about working collaboratively to make an impact and serve her community. She graduated from Southern Methodist University as a Hunt Leadership Scholar, Engaged Learning Fellow, John Goodwin Tower Award recipient, and with honors. Briana has more than six years of professional experience in non-profit, corporate, small business, academic, and international work environments providing communications strategy development, community engagement expansion, process improvement and organizational support. From her first community initiative in leading a successful jean drive for homeless teens for highschool students to advocating for equitable education across Dallas ISD as a CAMP Fellow, Briana continues to be an active member of her community and advocate for the needs of marginalized communities. Briana’s academic achievements include published research on the methods and strategies of intercultural communication in advertisements and print media in a uniquely global city, as well as completing a qualitative research study of the Jubilee Park community with the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity. Briana believes in the importance of making meaningful and lasting connections across communities as a means to drive change, inspire others and build a more inclusive future. Email: BMonsalve@cfa.lgbt |
DR Mann Hanson
Pronouns: he /his Project Lead & Volunteer Outreach Manager DR is a trained theatre artist and queer advocate since birth. A Navy brat, DR and family followed their mother around the world before ending up in Dallas where she retired after 20 years of service and DR grew up. Pursuing theatre took him to New York City and San Francisco where he achieved his BA in Theatre from San Francisco State University. After a brief stint back in Dallas where he met his now husband, DR returned to NYC where he produced, directed, and acted in many Off & Off-Off Broadway companies. Returning home to be closer to family, DR found himself on the administrative side of theatre and worked at the non-profits WaterTower Theatre and Dallas Theater Center before entering the world of free-lance. With newfound freedom and energy DR has joined the Board of Arttitude and now proudly joins the staff of Coalition for Aging LGBT family. He is also the proud co-owner of Common Ground Games which his husband co-owns and manages and the Founder and Artistic Producer of CinéWilde, the country’s only monthly LGBT Film Series. A Radical Fearie at heart, DR is on a path of compassion and advocacy for all members of the LGBT Spectrum and is dedicated to shattering the many myths that prevent us all from embracing our true selves and creating a safe and fulfilling society for all. Email: DRMannHanson@cfa.lgbt |
