Rochester Rainbow Union
Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of unpaid volunteers from the community working to fulfill the mission of the agency. They are a true “working board,” meeting regularly to lead the organization. As directors of the agency, they hold 3 legal obligations:

  • To pay careful attention to the organization’s activities and operations

  • To put the interests of the organization before personal and professional interests

  • To comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws; adhere to the organization’s bylaws; and remain guardians of the mission

The board continues to grow, with a commitment to building a body that reflects the rich diversity of Rochester’s entire LGBTQIA+ communities.

If you are interested in joining the board or a committee, please email info@gayalliance.org.

Board of Directors

  • Andrew Moran

    Andrew Moran, Board President

    A proud Chicano, Andrew is a Rochester transplant by way of Los Angeles. He moved to Rochester in 2007 to attend the University of Rochester, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology. He started his community organizing work while an undergrad, serving as the President of Pride Network and running the Campus SafeZone program. He currently works at the Rochester Victory Alliance, where he helps continue the search for a safe and effective vaccine for HIV. Andrew is a 2019 graduate of the Pride Leadership Development Program from United Way.

  • Mary Belcher

    Mary Belcher, Treasurer

    TBD

  • Maureen Connell, Secretary

    Maureen Connell, Secretary

    Maureen Connell was born in Mexico City but moved to Rochester, NY in 1984. She grew up in East Irondequoit and attended MCC and St. John Fisher for her undergraduate education. In 2001 she graduated with her BS in Psychology and then moved to Seattle, WA in 2003 where she received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology. Maureen lived on the West Coast for 13 years and moved back to Rochester, NY in 2016. She received her MBA in 2021 and is a graduate of the 2022 Latino Leadership Development Program. She has a passion for social justice and LGBTQ+ Rights.

  • Trent Marshall

    Trent Marshall

    Trent Marshall was "born, bred and raised in Rochester" He is a proud 19th warder, who has been involved in CBO(community based organizations) and nonprofits , such as Baden Street Settlement, Depaul, (Aids Rochester) and ACHC for many years. His hope is to bring more diversity, equality, and inclusion to the Rochester Rainbow Union.

  • Stephen Devay

    Stephen Devay

    Stephen is a Rochester area native, being raised in Hilton, NY and moved to Rochester over a decade ago. He has a lot of non-profit experience, co-founding a Pit Bull rescue in Rochester, and being involved with the United Way, and Rochester Regional Health.

    He is focused on helping build the communications and technical aspects of the Rochester Rainbow Union as it builds into a true community organization.

  • Jimmy Paulino

    Jimmy Paulino

    Jimmy received his J.D. magna cum laude from University of Notre Dame Law School. Currently, he is the Senior Counsel for Research and Privacy at the University of Rochester. He is a recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s:  “Outstanding Young Lawyer Award,” as well as one of the “40 Under 40” as noted by the Rochester Business Journal. Jimmy’s hard work, dedication, and energetic personality makes in a valued member of the Rochester Rainbow Union.

  • Brandon Brooks

    Brandon W. Brooks has been Curator of the John L. Wehle Gallery since March of 2020. Brandon works with over 400 years of European and American sporting and wildlife art, and over 300 years of fashion and textile material culture– notably, the Bruce & Susan Greene Costume Collection housed in the John L. Wehle Gallery.

    In April of 2023, Brandon presented "Connecting Threads: Historic Fashion Collections as an Avenue to Increase Accessibility and Regional Institution Collaboration" at the Museum Association of NY Annual Conference.

    Since taking on the role of Curator, Brandon has debuted three exhibits working with both of these collections, as well as incorporating collection items from across the state of New York:

    "Consuming Desires: The Great American Wedding" (2021 - 2022)

    "Duck, Duck, Shoot! The Story of American Waterbirds" (2022 - 2023)

    "Becoming Gendered: Garment as Gender Artifact" (2023 - 2024)

    Brooks is a former columnist for The Empty Closet Newspaper, contributing monthly for just under 8 year with his "What's Bothering Brandon?" agony column. Brooks previously worked in the mental health field of Rochester, NY for over a decade.

  • Griffin Van Ostrand

    Griffin Van Ostrand

    Born in Rochester, Griffin has spent half of his life in the Buffalo area and half in Rochester. He received his Bachelor’s in English Literature from SUNY Geneseo and his Master’s in Library and Information Science from UB. He is involved in a national mentorship program for queer youth, and is a board member for the Friends of Tinker Nature Park. He is a librarian, a creative, a birder, a design wizard, a harbinger of bad puns– he brings a lot of energy, warmth, and whimsy wherever he travels.

    Griffin is focused on bringing more depth, resources, and programming into the library, providing a safe space and community center for all.