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 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 consider Blount County home. I am a domestic goddess extraordinaire who loves all things Betty Boop. I have 3 grown children and 1 grandson. I can usually be found at Southland Books or downstairs at The Bird and The Book. 

The Reverend Heidi Parunak (pronouns she, her, hers) has been advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community since the 1980’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. She has worked in the field of hospice and end of life care since 2010. Identifying as bisexual, her call is to help those who are marginalized, impoverished, disenfranchised and/or homeless. She earned a BS in Psychology from King University, is currently enrolled in seminary, earning a continuing education certification from Princeton Theological seminary, and she is a certified Usui Reiki Master, since 1995. Reverend Parunak is currently a Licensed Local Pastor with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving rural churches and chaplaincy. 

Thomas Hatfield is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and serves as Donations Coordinator. Professionally, he is the Regional Equipment Estimating Team Leader for Trane Commercial HVAC covering Tennessee, Mississippi, and part of Gulf Coast Area, where he has been employed for over thirty years. 

In addition to his standard work responsibilities, he leads the office Culture Committee and belongs to the Employee Resource Group, which includes workplace Diversity and Inclusion and Pride councils.

He volunteers for local groups such as Knox Pride, Blount Pride, and Appalachian Outreach, and enjoys cooking, camping, and yoga in his spare time. 

Thomas is a Maryville native and has three children as well as one daughter in law.

Gabby Cheij is an Appalachian OUTreach Board of Directors officer and serves as Marketing and Public Information Officer. Gabby (she/her/hers) holds a M.M. in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from East Carolina University and holds B.A.'s in Music and Psychology from Maryville College. She works as a voice and piano teacher and marketing coordinator with a music studio in DC.

Having met at Maryville College, Gabby and her wife, Blaine, have happily found footing back in east TN. Excited to give back to the LGBTQ+ community, Gabby is bringing her skillset in graphic design and marketing to serve as the board's marketing and public information officer. Gabby’s passion for serving her community is evident primarily in her work through youth outreach in numerous community events, sport and music camps, and service projects.

 Taylor Ford is a 27-year-old lifelong citizen of Maryville, TN. She is a professional writer with nearly a decade of experience in government proposal work, procedural documentation, and creative writing. Her most recent publication is the poem "Don't Fear the Dark, Child" in Tennessee's Best Emerging Poets: An Anthology from Z Publishing. She lives with her best friend, her best friend's 5-year-old son, and their two dogs. 

If you would like to serve as a board member, the responsibilities include:

*Volunteering during events

*Promoting Appalachian OUTreach events

*Attending planning meetings

*Making a tax-deductible financial contribution to Appalachian OUTreach