Board of Directors 2024

2024 Board of Directors

Maria Álvarez | President

Pronouns: She/He/They

Affiliation: My Virtual CFO – ATL

Maria A. Álvarez owns My Virtual CFO – ATL, which provides unparalleled personalized accounting services to a broad range of clients across the Atlanta area.

Maria is an energetic professional with over twenty years of accounting, finance, and executive experience in multi-million dollar companies, non-profits, government agencies, and native corporations. Most of her career has been in leadership roles where she has increased efficiency to maximize profits and reduce costs while improving the quality of services.

During her career, she has strived to cultivate strong relationships with business owners, organizations, and government leaders by being a dynamic representative and spokesperson for her organization.

Since a very young age, Maria has volunteered with many LGBTQ+ organizations. For instance, in college, she worked with the Women’s Center and organized the Take Back the Night 5K fundraiser and several other events. She also organized the Coming Out Day with the Gay Lesbian, Bisexual Student Association at George Mason University. While living in Washington, DC, she became involved with HRC and Capital Pride. Once she moved to Alaska, she volunteered for Covenant House and became treasurer for two non-profits: Radical Arts for Women and Identity Inc., the main LGBT organization in Alaska. She also has helped organize Alaska Pride.

Maria successfully navigates diverse perspectives and anchors solid business relationships and partnerships. She is a firm believer in change through leadership. Throughout her travels worldwide, she has encountered many situations where people have been discriminated against and disenfranchised. These experiences have taught her to be more compassionate and accepting. Maria aims to empower by advocating inclusion to demonstrate leadership wherever she goes and encourage others to discover their voices.

Maria Alvarez

Danielle Bonanno | Vice President, TGX360 Advisory Council Chair

Pronouns: She/Her

Affiliation: Inclusive Recovery Athens

Danielle Bonanno (She/Her) serves as the Executive Director of Inclusive Recovery Athens and is the Director of Equity and Community Engagement at Acceptance Recovery Center. She has been an advocate for various oppressed and stigmatized populations, including those with substance use disorders, LGBTQIA2S+, homeless and low-income individuals, and those with complex traumas. Danielle’s life’s work revolves around bridging the gap between the queer and recovery communities, educating addiction professionals on how to serve LGBTQIA2S+ populations in a trauma-informed and culturally-affirming way.

Her extensive experience in corporate and nonprofit lead generation equips her to build essential connections and expand her referral network. Danielle’s talent as a master storyteller allows her to identify and leverage funding opportunities, crafting impactful and competitive grant proposals.

In addition to her roles at Inclusive Recovery Athens and Acceptance Recovery Center, Danielle leads as the President of Athens Pride and Queer Collective, the leading nonprofit in Northeast Georgia dedicated to enhancing the well-being of queer individuals through education, outreach, event curation, and support. Her visionary leadership was evident when she launched the Athens Pride and Queer Collective Trans Surgery Scholarship Program in 2022, awarding full scholarships for gender-affirming surgeries within the Athens community.

Danielle’s outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades. In 2022, she was recognized as one of the top 10 leaders under 40 in Athens-Clarke County by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. Internationally, the Georgia Voice celebrated her as one of the six LGBTQ leaders globally to watch.

In 2023, Danielle’s impact continued to grow, as she received the Community Leader of the Year award from OUT Georgia Business Alliance. Her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community was further honored when she was selected as a Grand Marshal by the Atlanta Pride Committee for the 2023 Atlanta Pride Parade, highlighting her unwavering dedication to leadership and advocacy.

In her personal life, Danielle enjoys writing and values time spent with her two canine companions, Blueberry and Hershey. Through her steadfast dedication to inclusivity, advocacy, and leadership, Danielle remains a driving force in transforming communities and promoting the well-being of marginalized individuals.

OGBA_Danielle Bonanno

Matt Mitchell | Secretary

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: Mitchell Event Planning

Matt Mitchell is a multi-award-winning Master Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner and Lead Planner at Mitchell Event Planning, a full-service wedding and event planning company that provides inclusive professional assistance to all couples in love and delivers the best wedding experiences in Atlanta and beyond.

Matt has served on the Board for Voices of Note, the non-profit organization for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus. He has also served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Wedding International Professionals Association, and currently serves as the Vice-President of WIPA Atlanta. Matt is a Certified Inclusive Professional (CIP) through Equally Wed, and is a Certified Educator through the Certified Wedding Planner Society. He is a wedding industry speaker/educator and has had the pleasure of speaking on stages all across the U.S.

Mitchell Event Planning has been recognized with the 2021 & 2022 Best of Georgia awards in the Event Planner category and is proud to be an NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise.

Matt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Management from The University of Alabama. He has been a resident of Georgia for 8 years, a member of OUT Georgia since 2021, and is the proud dog Dad to his Miniature Schnauzer, Tucker.

Photo of Matt Mitchell

Joey Tripp | Treasurer

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: The Cancer Foundation

Joey Tripp is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the nonprofit and social sector. His journey began as an award-winning national volunteer, and he has since ascended to Executive Director of The Cancer Foundation. As a childhood cancer survivor, he has a profound connection to the mission of The Cancer Foundation. His own experiences have fueled his passion for alleviating the financial burden of cancer patients and have shaped his approach to leadership within the organization.

His diverse career spans various roles in organizations dedicated to social causes, such as supporting human services, disabled children, disaster responses, and military veterans. His contributions have significantly impacted organizations like the American Red Cross, Sisu Integrated Early Learning, Tripp Family Christmas Lights, and The Warrior Alliance.

Joey’s academic credentials include a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Georgia Southern University. These qualifications highlight his commitment to the field and his unique blend of scientific knowledge with nonprofit expertise. Beyond academia, Joey is an active contributor to community well-being, serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Gainesville.

Joey Tripp’s career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to societal betterment. His leadership at The Cancer Foundation underscores his commitment to making a significant impact on the lives of those affected by cancer. His varied experiences have established him as a compassionate advocate and strategic leader in the nonprofit sector, leaving a lasting imprint on the organizations and causes he supports. Joey is proud to serve on the OUT Georgia Business Alliance Board of Directors and use his service to make a meaningful impact in the LGBTQ+ community.

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Luis Ruiz | Immediate Past President

Pronouns: He/Him

Luis Ruiz is a Real Estate Management professional with nearly two decades of experience in new development, construction, tenant coordination, project management, and finance. As part of the myriad of projects he has been involved in, Luis has traveled extensively throughout the US and Puerto Rico.

Recently Luis was Chief Financial Officer with Continuon Services, LLC, a full-service benefits management company and an industry leader in benefits management based in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to that Luis worked with Mass Mutual and MetLife as a Financial Services representative, working with clients to create Financial Plans to allow them to achieve their retirement plans and goals.

For over twenty years, Luis has also dedicated his spare time to the service of a series of LGBTQ organizations as a means of giving back to the community, raising awareness, and combating misinformation. Early on, he volunteered with Joining Hearts, an organization based in Atlanta raising funds to support prevention, care, and housing assistance for those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Luis has also supported for many years the HRC (Human Rights Campaign). In 2015 Luis was part of GLAM (Gay, Lesbians, and Allies with MetLife) and was invited to walk with MetLife in New York’s Pride Parade – which coincidentally occurred the weekend after the Supreme Court gay marriage equality ruling.

Luis has been a member of the Out Georgia Business Alliance since 2014, quickly becoming an Ambassador to the organization. In 2020 he joined the Board of Directors as the Membership and Networking Chair and then elected in late 2021 as Vice President for the current year (2022).

Luis holds a BA in Architecture from Rice University in Houston, Texas, a Master’s degree in Industrial Management, and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.

In his downtime, Luis lives in Buckhead and spends time with his partner in crime, Bandit, a Blue Cairn Terrier/Chihuahua mix with unsurmountable energy and personality.

Luis Ruiz

Carlton Brown | Small Business Relations, LGBTBE Council Chair

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: Occasional Occasions, by Carlton Catering

Founded in 1994 by Mr. Carlton A. BrownOccasional Occasions by Carlton has been repeatedly praised for its culinary displays, dynamic flavors, and unique table presentations. Chef Carlton is the Founder and owner of Occasional Occasions by Carlton LLC, a boutique-style, custom catering company specializing in Contemporary Southern cuisine with a fusion twist.  Also providing off-premise catering for the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. He has launched a national subscription program of gourmet condiments called Bon Appetit Y ‘all by Carlton™ and Pantry Picks™.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management from the Art Institute of Atlanta. Occasional Occasions is a Minority, NMSDC Certified MBE, NVBDC Certified Veteran Owned Business, and LGBTBE Certified LGBT owned establishment.  His cuisines, talents, and presentations can be viewed via his website at OccasionalOccasionsCatering.com.

Chef Carlton is an accomplished culinary professional who has tickled the palates of celebrities Who’s Who, such as The Housewives of Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom, and Nikki Giovanni (Grammy-nominated American poet) just to name a few.  He has also provided services to such corporate giants as; The NFL (Superbowl VIII), Georgia PowerCoca Cola and NBA Team Washington Wizards alongside other corporate entities.

Chef Carlton received “Building a High-Performance Business” certification from Tuck School of Business at the Prestigious Dartmouth College.  He received the award from (Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) AGLCC Member of the Year, and AGLCC Businessman of the Year. He also received the LGBT Veteran’s Business Enterprise of the Year award.  Chef Carlton aired his own cooking show entitled “Cooking with Chef Carlton” on the AIB local Atlanta TV Network.  He acquired his CPCE Certification (Certified Professional Catering Executive).  He has appeared on WAGA Fox 5 “Breakfast with Buck,” highlighting his former breakfast restaurant “Hilda’s…A Breakfast to Write Home About!” and appeared on WXIA Channel 11 “Atlanta and Company,” demonstrating several live cooking segments.

Calrton_Brown

Paul Conroy | Community Relations, Nonprofit Council Chair

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: Out Front Theatre Company

Paul Conroy is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Out Front Theatre Company, Georgia’s LGBTQIA+-focused theatre company. Originally from the Boston area, he holds a BA in English/Writing with a Minor in Theatre from Long Island University and an MA in Directing from Roosevelt University, and an MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho. As a playwright, his original musical,

The Ethel Merman Disco Christmas Spectacular! (which he also directed) premiered at Out Front Theatre Company in December 2018. Other select directing credits at Out Front include Kinky BootsPriscilla, Queen of the Desert: The MusicalThe Most Fabulous Story Ever ToldThe View UpStairsLa Cage aux Folles and Xanadu.

Paul teaches courses in Theatre at Georgia State University, sits on Historic Atlanta’s LGBTQ Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, and is a founding member of the City of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, for which he co-chairs the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment subcommittee.

He was named one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential LGBTQ+ people in 2020 and has been featured in The New York TimesThe Times of London and numerous other media outlets, speaking about the importance of queer-centered arts. Paul is also the co-founder of the Queer Theatre Alliance, a national coalition of LGBTQ+-centered theatre companies. In 2022, Out Front Theatre Company was honored as one of Atlanta Pride’s Grand Marshals for its annual parade and festival.

Paul resides in the Old Fourth Ward with his husband, Brian, and their four-legged child, Monty.

Paul Conroy

Dr. Elijah Nicholas | Technology

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: 100 Black Trans Men, Inc.

As the Executive Director of 100 Black Trans Men, Dr. Elijah Nicholas orchestrates strategies and initiatives to empower, equip, and elevate Black Transgender Men globally.

A prominent figure in the academic realm, Dr. Elijah holds a plethora of advanced degrees, including a Doctorate in Business Administration and a certificate from Harvard Divinity’s Executive Education program, embodying his devotion to continuous learning and personal growth.

Internationally celebrated, Dr. Elijah is a steadfast Trans Advocate who tirelessly works to promote health equity. His literary contributions include inclusive children’s books that bring transgender narratives to the forefront, fostering understanding and empathy. In the cinematic sphere, his debut short film “Second Chance” serves as a beacon of love and compassion, encouraging viewers to transcend personal biases and embrace understanding.

Under his visionary leadership, 100 Black Trans Men, Inc has become a cornerstone in the movement to enrich the lives of Black Transgender Men through health equity, mentorship, leadership, and economic empowerment programs. His tireless efforts were acknowledged with the prestigious 2021 Trans Life “Pioneer of Inspiration” Award, underscoring the deep and lasting impact of his advocacy within the community.

A recognized voice on platforms such as TV One, The Steve Harvey Show, and The Book of Sean on Fox Soul, Dr. Elijah carries the mission of the organization to international audiences, magnifying its reach and influence. Beyond his professional commitments, he finds joy and solace with his beloved pets, King Duke and Queen Tillie, at his residence in Atlanta, GA, embodying the perfect blend of passionate advocacy and personal tranquility.

OGBA_Dr. Elijah Nicholas

Nathan Regan | Corporate Relations, Technology

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: CNR Consulting

Nathan Regan is the Founder of CNR Consulting, where he serves as a Fractional COO and Business Strategist to startups and small to medium-sized businesses locally, nationally, and internationally.

Before joining CNR Consulting, Nathan served as the chief operating officer of an Atlanta-based SaaS tech company. He previously served as the Senior Vice president of Economic Development for the city of Atlanta under Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. He served as a Legislative Fellow to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a Senior International Trade Specialist in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Prior to his Federal service, Mr. Regan worked in sales and marketing in international business development. He began his career in program management and business development for the U.S. operations of various European automotive supply companies. He later served as a Business Advisor with the French Consulate in Atlanta and the Danish Trade Council in Atlanta, where he served as a Senior Business Advisor and was responsible for managing a small business incubator in Buckhead. Subsequently, Mr. Regan served as an Economic Advisor to the Bahraini Ambassador in Washington DC and was responsible for Federal and state government relations and bilateral economic policy and growth.

Nathan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He served as a Commissioner for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Age-Friendly Business Initiative. He currently serves on the Atlanta Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board in the Economic and Community Development Committee. He is originally from Greenville, South Carolina.

OGBA_Board_NathanRegan

Dewayne Queen | ERG Council Chair

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: Delta Airlines, Swank Arts & Entertainment

Dewayne Queen, a native of Baltimore, MD, founded Swank Arts & Entertainment, A professional service provider specializing in events production, logistics, media, and marketing. We have also created a multi-media production division that provides space to the Black community through services to and support of its LGBTQIA+ community to share their stories and perspectives.

After graduating from high school, Dewayne moved to New York to attend Nyack College. At Nyack, he was instrumental in developing the current musical theater program. While in New York, Dewayne studied and perfected his craft. Dewayne performed in two tours of the musical, Rent and worked in Patrik-Ian Polk’s, The Skinny.

Moving to Atlanta In 2016, Dewayne became a valued team member of Delta Airlines. In addition to his robust travel schedule, Dewayne is an ambassador and member of Equal, Delta’s LGBQTIA+ Business Resource Group. He is also an ambassador for LGBTQIA+ matters for Delta’s Inflight community. Annually, Dewayne volunteers to work on Delta’s Atlanta Pride Parade committee.

And if that isn’t enough, In 2021, Dewayne created and chaired the countries first awards program honoring the tireless efforts of the transgender community. The Trans Life Awards is an annual event that takes place during Labor Day Weekend to empower, uplift and celebrate the beauty of transgender men, women, and gender-nonconforming members of our community.

CEO, Swank Arts & Entertainment, LLC

Stephen Scriber | Legal Affairs

Pronouns: He/Him

Affiliation: Modern Estate Planning, by Scriber Law Group, LLC.

Stephen Scriber is an attorney and the owner of Modern Estate Planning, an Atlanta-based law firm that helps our clients celebrate their lives of our clients and tap into their power to create the legacy of their choice. In addition to running a growing practice, he has numerous involvements with charitable and nonprofit organizations in Atlanta, having served on the board of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia and the Atlanta Leadership Committee of Lambda Legal.

OGBA_Board_StephenScriber_1-1