MEET THE TEAM AT EQUALITY VIRGINIA.

Get to know the board members and roles we have to help defend LGBTQ rights in Virginia.

Staff

Narissa Rahaman (she/her)

Executive Director

Narissa Rahaman is an experienced advocate and campaign manager who currently serves as Executive Director of Equality Virginia. She previously served as Associate Regional Campaign Director for the Human Rights Campaign, managing legislative and electoral efforts across southern states. She brings 10+ years of experience in long-term strategic planning and implementation of organizing efforts, legislative advocacy, strengthening of partnerships, coalition management, and staff development.

Kyleigh Hynes (she/her)

Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement

Kyleigh joined the team in 2021 as the Safe Schools Coordinator. Holding a Master of Social Work degree in Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in Human Development and Spanish from Virginia Tech. Before her time with Equality Virginia, she performed field work at the Bon Secours Richmond Care-A-Van, providing direct social work services to uninsured individuals and families. Kyleigh is almost a lifelong Virginian, having grown up mostly in the Northern Virginia area, but having briefly lived in Alabama during elementary school. In her free time, she can be found tending to her houseplants and vegetable garden, cooking new recipes, and trying to find the best chai latte in Richmond.

JaiVyn Whitehead (he/him)

Development Manager

Stepping into the Development Manager role, JaiVyn is excited to contribute his skills, knowledge and zeal. Hailing from the Hampton Roads area, JaiVyn has a deep-rooted passion for fostering thriving LGBTQ+ communities, especially in Virginia. On weekends, JaiVyn channels his enthusiasm into managing youth football, fostering growth, teamwork and leadership.

Ariana Hamidi (they/them)

Director of Community Engagement

Ariana Hamidi founded a non-profit youth organization at the start of their career and spent 15+ years as an educator, filmmaker, writer, and activist committed to using art as a tool for advocacy. They have mentored hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth and adults in diverse settings and bring an unwavering commitment to building equity across communities. Before joining Equality Virginia, they worked as an organizational leader and trainer for peer support groups, workshop facilitation, wellness and addiction recovery, housing, and community outreach in Richmond. A first generation American from D.C., Ariana strives for mutual empowerment as a mechanism for social transformation and healing.

Reed Williams (she/her)

Director of Digital Engagement & Narrative Strategy

Reed Williams graduated from the University of Virginia with high honors in 2024 with a B.A. in Political & Social Thought and English Literature (with a concentration in poetry writing). Her TEDTalk at the TEDWomen 2023 Conference in Atlanta with award-winning NYTimes photojournalist, Lindsay Morris, “How a sanctuary for self-expression can change lives” about her childhood as a trans girl in South Carolina and experiences at a gender-affirming summer camp reached over 500K views after publishing online. Before joining Equality Virginia, she worked as a camp counselor for Harbor Camps, the first ever gender-affirming summer camp created for trans youth, and as a grant writer for New Vision Youth Services, a non-profit for homeless and at-risk youth based in South Norfolk.

Ilana Rosenberg (she/they)

Operations & Finance Manager

Originally from Illinois, Ilana graduated from Colorado College with a degree in psychology and focus in pre-nursing. After spending time working in healthcare, they decided to move to Richmond and started their own business providing virtual admin services to small business owners. Ilana is so excited to use her organization skills to support the queer community in Virginia. When Ilana isn’t working, you can find her at any park in Richmond throwing tennis balls with their dog!

Board

Bryan Price (he/him)

Chair

Bryan is the Founder and Principal of GTP Wellness Consulting, L.L.C, a firm that takes a holistic approach to physical, mental, and societal wellness through webinars, coaching, mentoring and fitness classes. He also serves as a Research Assistant for Community Outreach for the University of Virginia Cancer Center.

Ali Woodworth (she/her)

Vice Chair

Ali Woodworth joined the Equality Virginia Board of Directors in 2022. Her roots are in rural New York State, but Richmond has been home for over 20 years. An engineer by education and training, she has worked for CarMax since 2004, currently as Director of Environmental, Health & Safety, and is also a founding member of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Crystal Suber (she/her)

Treasurer

Owner of Crystal Clear Financial Solutions, a small financial services company devoted to improving financial literacy and increasing wealth in marginalized communities. The company is a certified LGBTQ business enterprise. She has been doing this work for 15 years across VA, MD, NC, and DC.

Diana Maurer (she/her)

Secretary

Diana Maurer joined Equality Virginia’s Board of Directors in 2019 and is currently Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee. Diana works for a federal agency, leading independent oversight of defense programs to support Congressional decision making.

Chris Berg (he/him)

Board Member

Chris Berg joined Equality Virginia’s board in 2023. He moved from California to Virginia in 2003 after college with his wife. He lives in Hanover and has two gender-diverse children. Since his child came out as transgender, Chris has spent time advocating for LGBTQ+ youth and supportive parents.

Tiona Bowman (She/They/Tonia)

Board Member

Antiona "Tiona" Bowman (She/They/Tiona) serves as a Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program Specialist/Contract Administrator at the Virginia Department of Health. Before entering this role, Tiona successfully established community relationships between BIPOC, TGNC, Community-Based Organizations (CBO), VDH state and local Health Departments, Planned Parenthood, and the Kaiser Foundation through community engagement. She is a fierce advocate for her community, continuing to work tirelessly to break down systematic barriers at every level.

Charley Burton (he/him)

Board Member

Charley is the owner of Charley Speaks. Charley conducts speaking engagements and training where through his storytelling and inspirational chat involves his audience on what it is like to be a Black Transman living in the south.

Clifford “Chip” Clapp (he/him)

Board Member

Chip is an attorney from Fairfax County who practices in small business litigation and criminal defense. Chip has served in leadership positions on several non-profit boards for LGBTQ+ organizations. He has used his legal background to help obtain grants and modify organizational documents.

Joe Cobb (he/him)

Board Member

Joe currently serves as a council member for the City of Roanoke and previously served as Vice Mayor from 2018 – 2020. He also works as Chaplain at Hermitage Roanoke.

Dustin Keith (he/him)

Board Member

Dustin is fiercely supportive of his community and involved with several service organizations. He is an Area Governor for Rotary District 7570, Past President of the Russell County Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Rob Logan (he/him)

Board Member

Rob is a native of the Roanoke Valley, where he worked in the non-profit sector for three decades. He presently volunteers with several other organizations including the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation, the Friends of Mountain View foundation, and the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®.

Kimberly Morris (she/her)

Board Member

Kimberly Morris has been an active advocate for the Transgender Community since 2014 when, as an Active Duty U.S. Marine Officer, she joined the transgender advocacy group SPARTA. A 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for an inclusive military policy.