Chris Lugo,
Executive Director
He/Him/His
Chris Lugo (he/him) is the Executive Director of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, Georgia’s LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce.
With proud queer, Latinx, and HIV- & AIDS-impacted intersections, Lugo works to advance economic prosperity for queer and historically underrepresented folx through bold accessibility, radical inclusion, equitable empowerment, and collective action.
As the dynamic leader of OUT Georgia, he is obsessed with supporting Member success and activating the nonprofit chamber’s pillars, which include Economic Opportunity & Business Development, Community Engagement & Promotion, Advocacy & Policy, and Philanthropic Investment & Impact.
He has spearheaded the chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts; statewide expansion and Membership growth; and strategic development, including the launch of the OUT Georgia Impact Fund and TGX360, an initiative centering Georgia’s Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender-Expansive, and Intersex community.
Lugo is a progressive voice in the community, serving as a Member of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board; Managing Partner of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV – Atlanta Chapter; Co-Chair of the OUT Georgia Impact Fund; Board Member of Out on Film; and Member of the Atlanta Hawks’ LGBTQIA+ Pride Council and Cobb Chamber’s DEI Council.
His past experience includes roles with IBM Corporation, Direct Energy Business, and Alzheimer’s Association, and he has served as the first Executive Director for both The Cavaliers and OUT Georgia Business Alliance.
Lugo is an alumnus of the University of Florida and the proud husband of his long-time partner, Pyro Lugo-Allen.
Andi Monroe,
Operations & Programs Manager
They/Them/Theirs
Andi Monroe is the Operations & Programs Manager for the OUT Georgia Business Alliance.
Monroe devotes time to the director's dedication to advocacy for the LGBTQ+ and allied business community, ensuring that members across the State of Georgia receive timely, meaningful correspondence. As coordinator, they spend much time working with an incredible team of Volunteer Ambassadors. They are committed to creating nuanced, thoughtful programming celebrating our intersections of LGBTQ+ communities across the state.
Since 2005, Monroe has been active in the Atlanta LGBTQ+ community, first serving with the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity at Georgia State University. Monroe received accolades in film and video, later graduating with a film degree. They co-founded the production company Your Gay Atlanta in 2012, a brand dedicated to centering LGBTQ+ narratives in media that served local businesses for the better part of a decade and had the pleasure of working with producer/influencer Barry Brandon (The Queer Indigo). More recently, they are a screener for the Out on Film festival.
Following personal business ventures, Monroe worked for a decade in operations, marketing, and event coordination for various Georgia-owned small businesses engaging industries ranging from design to fitness to real estate to tech. Most recently, they served as onboarding manager for start-up Showcase IDX now under the edifice of eXp World Holdings, Inc.
Monroe continues to produce a rotating roster of creative projects with a focus on digital publishing, organizing for the arts wherever possible, and engaging a vibrant community that serves more like a big extended family. They are happily married since 2019, grateful to have had a longterm life partner since 2005, and proudly reside near Pine Lake, Georgia.
Erica Nelson,
Intern, Operations & Systems Management
She / Her / Hers
Erica Francine Nelson is an intern with OUT Georgia Business Alliance, Georgia’s LGBTQ+IA
Chamber of Commerce, focused on the role of Operations & Systems Manager.
As a dedicated and forward-thinking leader, she is currently advancing her expertise in business
administration management at Valdosta State University. Her academic foundation was laid at Southern
Crescent Technical College, where she earned an associate degree in Business Technology, igniting her
passion for marketing and operational efficiency.
Erica’s commitment to leadership and academic excellence is reflected in her active membership in the
National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the Society for Collegiate Leadership &
Achievement (SCLA). These platforms have provided her with invaluable opportunities to engage in
leadership programs and community projects, furthering her personal and professional development.
Throughout her career, Erica has embraced roles that demand a high level of client engagement and
customer satisfaction. As a Customer Success Assistant Manager at Variety Wholesalers Inc., she
leveraged data analytics to drive supply and demand evaluations, cost structure analyses, and customer
engagement strategies. Her role as a Client Services Supervisor involved spearheading new business
opportunities and implementing sales strategies to foster growth and profitability. Erica’s experience as a
contracted Service Supplier has allowed her to offer critical analyses and operational evaluations for
prominent businesses across Metro Atlanta, including Circle K, Walmart, Sam’s Club Costco, and
Verizon. This role required a deep understanding of business culture and the implementation of strategic
tasks.
Informed by the Advanced Leadership program and teachings of Ronald Menaker EdD, Erica’s leadership
philosophy centers on the importance of learning from past experiences to shape future success. She
believes in the transformative power of personal development, persuasive communication, and emotional
intelligence in building effective teams and driving community initiatives.
Erica is recognized for her exceptional time management and organizational skills, ensuring that all
responsibilities are met with precision and punctuality. Acknowledging that growth requires time, she
continuously strives to balance her drive for efficiency with the patience necessary for long-term success.
Looking ahead, Erica is eager to apply her comprehensive skill set in data management, CRM systems,
and decision-making operations to contribute meaningfully to OUT Georgia Business Alliance. Her
ability to navigate complex customer situations and resolve conflicts with logical mediation positions her
as a valuable asset to any team.
Roze Carbone,
Intern, Digital Marketing & Membership Engagement
She / Her / Hers
Roze Carbone is a Digital Marketing Intern for the OUT Georgia Business Alliance.
With a background as a writing and speaking tutor, she developed a strong foundation in the art of communication. Carbone holds a Bachelor's degree in English with a focus on creative writing, and is interested in the creative side of business. Her work as an extern at the private advertising company Incentive Solutions introduced her to the professional sphere of high-level marketing.
Born and raised in Atlanta, she is committed to fostering inclusive programming that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community across Georgia. She is on the path to pursue a Master's degree in Digital Media, aiming to further integrate creative expression into her professional endeavors.
Carbone resides in Decatur, Georgia and is a proud alum of Agnes Scott College.