2023 Summit

The 2023 Summit has the simple yet powerful theme, “Navigating Resistance, Celebrating Resilience.” This is both a reflection on where we have been and what we have already accomplished, and a look toward the future and how important it is to come together to share and celebrate our community. We will do this by:

• Affirming and celebrating all identities by creating safe and welcoming spaces for listening and learning with respect and gratitude.

• Promoting advocacy and action by bringing together a wide variety of individuals to share their own lived experiences to learn from one another and prepare and motivate them to inform and affect positive change.   

• Building community and solidarity by offering networking and educational opportunities that allow people to share their stories and form strong and lasting relationships.

Agenda by Date and Time
Summit Presentations
Summit Presenters
Leadership Awards
Supporters
Planning and Administration
Zoom Backgrounds

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Summit Presenters

Aaron Myers (he/his/him)
Aaron is gender-fluid and is a member of the MSU Extension LGBTQIA+ Advocacy team. As a member of the team, Aaron has helped with implementing a statewide 4-H GSA in Michigan and has received the MSU Extension Award for DEI Programming and also received the MSU Excellence in DEI Team award.

Alisha Targonski (she/they)
Alisha Targonski (she/they) is a 4-H professional with the University of Maine doing work that is focused on community and peace building. She works with youth and adults around the state and in their county to be caring leaders in their communities, often in rural and AG-centered spaces.

Alison White (she/her)
Alison White is an Associate Professor at Washington State University, a 4-H Regional Extension Specialist, and Co-Chair of the 4-H PLWG Access, Equity, and Belonging Committee’s LGBTQ+ Youth and Community Champion Group. Alison conducts research and facilitates programming centered around youth empowerment, equity and inclusion, science education, and organizational change. She enjoys creating and facilitating programming that empowers youth to learn about themselves and the world around them as they explore solutions to complex real-world issues.

Amber King (she/her)
Amber King is the Assistant Dean of Students at Montana State University. She is also a doctoral candidate working on her dissertation for her PhD in Adult and Higher Education. She serves as a board member on the QFSA (Queer Faculty/Staff Association) and is passionate about helping others. She enjoys hiking with her beagle, Sidney, knitting with her cat, Bindi, and laughing with friends and family.

Amy Bonomi (she/her)
Amy Bonomi, Ph.D., M.P.H. is founder and CEO of Social Justice Associates, instructor of Organizational Culture at University of Denver, and consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice. Amy founded SJA following her career as an award-winning professor at Ohio State University (OSU) and Michigan State University (MSU). At MSU, Amy provided university-level leadership as a department chair, director of the Children and Youth Institute or CYI (oversight of Michigan’s 4-H programs including through the early outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring and summer of 2020), cofounder of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and chair of the president’s Sexual Violence Advisory Committee. At CYI, Amy was a staunch supporter of 4-H staff’s efforts to remove access barriers and build inclusive programs for youth from historically marginalized groups, such as race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Amy supported 4-H staff’s conceptualization and leadership of Michigan’s first 4-H LGBTQIA+ inclusive programming for youth and an LGBTQIA+ youth alliance group. For her work on inclusion and social justice issues, Amy was named Distinguished Scholar (at OSU) and Diversity Champion (at MSU). As founder of SJA and as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Amy helps organizations assess and build inclusive strategy and culture.

Anna L. EldenBrady (ze/zir)
Anna L. EldenBrady works for Michigan State University Extension creating professional development opportunities and finding support for the grantees on the National Mentoring Program. Ze lives on the temperamental shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, MI with zir two wild-hearted children, four cats, and partner. Ze runs a small nonprofit aimed at creating mutual aid opportunities and creative outlets for zir community in a neighbourhood that has some wear around the edges. Outside of work, LGBTQIA+ activism, disability justice, and zir family, Anna has a broad range of hobbies that include fixing and remaking everything in zir house that isn’t nailed down (and a few things that are), sewing and costuming, writing (both original works and fanfiction), wandering the many parks along the Lake Michigan shore, geocaching, gardening, taking pictures of zir cats, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. Ze combines zir love of academic research, history, and theatre in zir work as the creative director of an historic reenactment tour in Muskegon’s 150+ year old cemetery. Ze loves fantasy, funky earrings, fandom, and fluidly fabulous fashion.

Bradley Reinbolt (he/him)
Bradley Reinbolt is a second year graduate student at the University of Cincinnati. Currently he is in the process of earning his Ph.D. in educational studies with a concentration of teacher education and curriculum studies. He has taught middle school in charter and public school districts for five years. He currently teaches undergraduate students in higher education. His focuses are on social studies education, LGBTQ+ educator experiences, LGBTQ+ curriculum, and Queer Theory.

Cecelia Rose LaPointe (Wiin/They/Them)
Cecelia Rose LaPointe (wiin/they/them) is Ojibway/Métis and is Mashkiziibi (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibway or LaPointe Band of Ojibway) and Kchiwiikwedong (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community). They are enrolled in Mashkiziibi and maintain a strong community affiliation to Kchiwiikwedong. Cecelia identifies as Two-Spirit based in their culture from an old school and decolonial framework. They have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a Master of Arts in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. They were an NDN Changemaker Fellow through NDN Collective representing the Great Lakes Region in 2020. Cecelia has been fiercely walking a sober road for 13 years. Cecelia is also the Founder and Owner of Red Circle Consulting and Waub Ajijaak Press. They are also Consultant, Publisher, Poet, Writer, and Author.

Chad N. Proudfoot (he/him)
Chad N. Proudfoot is a 4-H Extension Specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension focusing in Organizational Systems. He holds a BA in Political Science, a Master of Public Administration, and an MA in History all from West Virginia University. Before coming to Virginia in 2018, Chad was a faculty member with the West Virginia University Extension Service beginning in 2011 where he served as the Cultural Resource Coordinator and Operations & Outreach Coordinator at Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp. He is a recipient of the 2019 Epsilon Sigma Phi Early Career Service Award, and the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals. Chad has been a member of the National 4-H History Preservation Team since 2013.

Dani Davalos (They/She)
As a transgender latine educator, Dani Dávalos aspires to serve their community through providing equitable, accessible, and inclusive programming. Some examples of her work include the nationally recognized 4-H Central COVID-19 pandemic activities book and the upcoming geek-culture camp known as the Question Clovers Retreat. In her time at Oregon State University Extension, Dani has helped found the Oregon Access & Inclusion Committee, is part of the PLWG LGBTQ+ Champions Group, and helped found the Salem-Keizer SOGIE Network of professional organizations. Dani studied Sociology and Philosophy for their undergrad at Azusa Pacific University and then received her Masters in Education form Grand Canyon University, she hopes to continue on her mission to help others by pursuing more educational opportunities in the future

Ellen Rodrigues (she/They)
Ellen Rodrigues is a Service Assistant Professor at West Virginia University. She serves as the Director of the LGBTQ+ Center and teaches a Women’s and Gender course focused on LGBTQ+ Perspectives. She is responsible for advancing the Center’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Through strategic partnerships, outreach initiatives and student engagement, Rodrigues implements advocacy efforts while overseeing programs and training that address the inclusion of queer, trans, gender nonbinary and all sexual orientations at WVU. For two years as assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center, Rodrigues was responsible for implementing gender-inclusive practices, including providing nearly 35 safe zone trainings to more than 1,000 individuals each academic year. She also served as the faculty advisor for the minor in LGBTQ+ studies and as the supervisor of the Center’s student ambassadors. Before serving in this capacity, Ellen served the WVU community as a Diversity & AA/EO Specialist, and previously as a Sociology instructor at WVUP. Rodrigues is a WVU alumna and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science.

Hannah Wilson (she/her)
Hannah (she/her) began her career working with underserved vulnerable clients in the heart of Seattle. Advocating for harm reduction approaches to addressing addiction, mental health and homelessness through housing first programming. In 2016 began pursuing her clinical work at a Community Health Clinic with an integrative behavioral health model. For the last few years focusing on her private practice, Prickly Peach Sex Therapy, she is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Supervisor and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and trained as a gender and trans affirming therapist with WPATH. Also a partner of Oh Hi Collective that is motivated to offer continuing education for organizations, community and individuals around sexual health. In conjunction, a teaching professor at Montana State University for the Psychology Department. Currently working on her PhD in Clinical Sexology, with a specialty in Kink Conscious Counseling at the International Institute of Clinical Sexology. In her down time you will find her enjoying cake, spending time with her other half, and laughing at her adorable rescue bulldog, Dax.

Isaac Hilpp (he/him)
Dr. Hilpp is a Sr. Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky for 4-H Youth Development. His role includes coordinating DE&I work, as well as Cultural Education. His research includes exploring what Positive Youth Development for Queer Youth looks like.

Jennifer Sirangelo (she/her)
Jennifer joined the Council in 2006 to grow support for America’s largest youth development organization. The Council is the non-profit partner to the nation’s 4-H movement, supporting leadership development for nearly six million young people through diverse and inclusive programs in agriculture, science, health, and civic engagement by way of alliances with America’s philanthropic sector. In 2017, Jennifer, who is currently leading the largest brand and alumni activation initiative in 4-H history, the Grow True Leaders Campaign, was named to Fast Company’s annual list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. A Missouri native, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and political science from William Jewell College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University, and attended St. Peter’s College at Oxford University. As an undergraduate, she was recognized as a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

Jeremy Elliott-Engel (he/him)
Associate Dean and Associate Director for Extension, University of Hawaii-Manoa / Dr. Jeremy Elliott-Engel is the Associate Dean and Associate Director for Extension with the University of Hawaii-Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). He brings experience in implementing organizational change to support LGBTQ+ youth in several contexts, including 4-H and Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences. When not working, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and being outdoorsy.

Joe Rand (he/him)
4-H Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and Interim Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, University of Minnesota / Joe has facilitated equity and inclusion workshops related to LGBTQ+ youth within the Minnesota 4-H program, the broader Minnesota Extension program, a variety of youth and family service organizations throughout Minnesota, and state 4-H programs across the nation. He serves as an advisor for his local Gender and Sexuality Alliance, comprised of rural queer youth and allies. He also serves on the national LGBTQ+ subgroup of the Access Equity and Belonging Committee of the 4-H Program Leaders Workgroup, working to create equitable spaces within youth development settings for queer and trans youth.

Judy Hopkins (she, her, hers)
Judy has worked at Washington State University in career services for the last 10 years. She recently took a new role with the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) as the Internship Development Coordinator—expanding her opportunity to integrate professional development programming and training for the college, work with external employer partners and provide mentorship and supervision among student leaders. She is a graduate of WSU from the CAHNRS Human Development Department and completed her Master’s in Human Services Counseling with a Coaching emphasis in 2018. She wears many hats—coaching students 1-1 who are searching for jobs and internships, teaches a professional development course and partners with recruitment, retention and development teams and employers to improve services and meet the professional needs of students She lives in Pullman, WA with my husband of 43 years and has four adult children who live all around the world. They lived internationally in Africa for four years associated with an international NGO. She loves to work out, bike & eat great food around a table of good friends and conversation! She serves on two boards and mentors and leads student groups within the community.

Laura Stanton (she/her)
Laura Stanton is the Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for Ohio State University Extension in Warren County. She has over 25 years of experience teaching and providing educational training workshops. She has a strong interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion topics and particularly enjoys helping people navigate topics that they often find uncomfortable and/or unfamiliar. Laura is a parent to two teenagers and enjoys spending time outdoors.

Melissa Elischer (she/her)
Melissa Elischer (she/her) is an Extension Educator with Michigan State University Extension 4-H youth development. With MSU Extension, she teaches about animal science and LGBTQIAS2+ inclusion across the state, working with youth, volunteers, parents, and co-workers. She shares her home with her cat and guinea pig and has an affinity for all animals. As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community she is happy to here and share space with fellow community members and allies.

Mercury Stardust (she/her)
Mercury Stardust is a Professional Home Maintenance Technician, performer, and award-winning activist. Known widely as the Trans Handy Ma’am, her unique brand of compassionate education in the Home Repair space has earned her internet fame. With over 2.3 million followers on TikTok and over 301k followers on Instagram, Mercury spreads DIY knowledge with love. Her expertise includes rental maintenance, landlord negotiations, clogs, drywall, painting, minor electrical repairs, caulking, and more. In addition, Mercury Stardust and her team, in their second annual fundraising event, recently raised a historic $2.3 million for the non-profit Point of Pride which is a trans-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides gender-affirming support to trans folks across the country and around the world.

Michael Wallace (he/him)
Michael Wallace, Washington State University Extension Associate Professor, Youth and Family Programs Michael has served in the youth development arm of WSU Extension for twenty years. 10 years ago he attended a fringe program of 4-H called “Rite of Passage” where he participated in his first, and not last, wilderness vision fast. That experience led Michael to becoming the faculty liaison of the 4-H Rite of Passage program and sent him on a career-defining quest to understand the sacred values of council circles. Due to his interest in circle communication, WSU Extension Youth and Families Program elected to send Michael to Washington to D.C. to become a statewide trainer in the “Coming Together for Racial Understanding” program. Michael now uses the council circle process in almost all his programs, lifting up personal narrative as the foundation of all our growth and community. Michael also serves on the 4-H Statewide Adolescent Leadership Committee, and is a key author of the “Facilitate the Awesome” Teen Adviser Training Module.

Dr. Nancy Moores (she/her)
Dr. Nancy A. Moores has been the 4-H agent in Hernando County for more than 23 years, currently an Agent III and serving as a multi-county agent. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s in education, an Education Specialist degree in higher education, and her doctorate in higher education leadership. Nancy spent 15 years working in victim services and has been teaching youth and adults for 38 years. She was an adjunct professor for Pasco Hernando Community College and has conducted professional development workshops in multiple states. Nancy takes great pride in working with a variety of programs and vulnerable populations including homeless high school students, youth with differing abilities, and special needs graduating seniors. Nancy is currently working on a national Program Leaders Working Group focused on the LGBTQ+ community. She is a UF/IFAS Search Advocate and member of national, state, and district Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access teams. Dr. Moores is also mother to two successful daughters and proud grandma of two current 4-H members.

Nicole Barbuch (They/She)
Nicole Barbuch (They/She) is the Founder and Co Executive Director of Emerging Unidos. Coming from an impoverished and trauma impacted background they discovered a passion in working with youth experiencing similar barriers they did as young person. This passion moved them to create and direct the pilot program, Frame Up, in which LGBTQ2SIA+, BIPOC, and trauma impacted young adults learned to understand and accept themselves and move forward with their lives. This success brought about the creation of Emerging Unidos. They both love and are certified in trauma informed care and working with trauma impacted youth. They enjoy gardening and painting.

Sky Holland (They/She)
4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator, University of Illinois, (309) 663-8306 Office Phone, skylarh@illinois.edu / Sky Holland is a 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator with University of Illinois as well as Chair of the Illinois 4-H LGBTQ+ Inclusion Committee. Sky focuses on program development and facilitation for youth within and outside of 4-H, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. She has a passion for creating inclusive and nurturing spaces for youth to explore their interests and learn with their peers.

Sonja Benton (they/them)
Sonja is a faculty member in the College of Letters & Science and the English Department. They use they/them pronouns and identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. They love facilitating teaching both at the university and in the larger community, as well as do lots of work within the community about diversity and inclusion with various organizations.

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Summit Supporters

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2023 Planning and Administration

A huge thank-you to all these individuals who gave their time, talent, and knowledge to make this Summit a reality!

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