Meet Appalachian OUTreach's lgbtq+ Board of Directors:

Shannon Brown is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and serves as President. Professionally, she is an LCSW therapist who opened her private practice, Psychotherapy & Forensic Services, in Blount County. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and an MSSA in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. 

She won awards for her work as an advocate and activist: Irene Sogg Gross Humanitarian Award (2007) and Achievement in Direct Practice (2018), and she was inducted into the Mandel School Hall of Achievement (2018). 

Shannon is also currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors for OutCare Health. Shannon has been an advocate and activist for LGBTQ+ rights and justice since the 1990's. She is also a  She is committed to conducting business and maintaining partnerships with LGBTQ+ owned and operated businesses. 

Gibran Cuevas is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and serves as Vice President, Treasurer, and as Volunteer Coordinator. Professionally, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal justice, is a retired police officer, served in the Army and is transgender. His career experience included Special Victims Unit, Narcotics, Human Trafficking, and K9 unit. Gibran's activism and advocacy has been geared towards child welfare, women’s issues, and LGBTQ rights. Gibran is currently retired and volunteers as a child advocate in abuse and neglect cases.

Rhonda Cady is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and serves as Secretary and Administrative Coordinator. Personally, she is a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community. I have a great deal of motivation to for helping others in the areas of human equality, LGBTQ+ issues, veterans, and homelessness.  I was born on a military base in Colorado, but considers Blount County home. I am a domestic goddess extraordinaire who loves all things Betty Boop. I have three grown children and one grandson. 

Katelyn McGuire is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors member with a focus in grant writing. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Purdue University and continued her education at Purdue to receive her Master's in Public Health. She is extremely passionate about all things health-related but holds a special place in her heart and soul for reproductive rights and for her LGBTQ+ community. Being a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is excited to devote time and energy to providing resources for those who are marginalized, treated as invisible, oppressed, discriminated against, and who are deserving of equal treatment. She hopes to empower her LGBTQ+ community while also helping to raise funds to help Appalachian OUTreach expand its impact. In her free time, you can find her sewing, reading, out in nature, or spending time with her partner and furbabies.  

  Kes Easton is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and Volunteer Coordinator.  Personally she is a wildlife rehab volunteer and has been working as Volunteer coordinator and public educator for wildlife rescue and rehab for the past 8 years. As a member of the LGBTQ + community she is committed to advocacy and activism within the community, especially for disabled members of the community.  She has extensive experience working with physically and developmentally disabled children and adults in a medical and home setting and has a passion for ensuring they have a chance to engage with their community and find support. 

Elizabeth (Elz) Maltempi is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer. Professionally, Elizabeth has a long history of Marketing, Leadership and Training experience. She currently owns and operates her own travel planning company and is a ceramics artist. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is dedicated to advocating for the inclusivity and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, especially in the South Knoxville community. In her free time Elizabeth can be found working on various art projects, planning her next trip, or spending quality time with her partner and their duo of furry daughters.

Board Member Position filled