Russ Desy, Board Chair
Russ Desy is a Client Partner Executive for IBM, a board member of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and a Jackson Historic District Commissioner. Encouraged by the NDO and the availability of a historic home he admired, Russ moved back to Jackson 2 years ago after 20+ years away. When not obeying their cat, you can find Russ and his husband biking, running or walking the Falling Water trail and nearby parks. He brings expertise in organizational strategy, governance and partnership building, and is excited to continue development of a vibrant and connected LGBTQ community in Jackson.
Suzy Turpel, Interim Board Vice Chair
Suzy Turpel, Director of Care Experience at Henry Ford Allegiance Health, has more than 30 years of experience in corporate and non-profit strategic planning, marketing, research, and customer service. Suzy also serves on the Nonprofit Network and John George Home Foundation boards. She is a Jackson native and a committed LGBTQ ally
Regina Pinney, Board Secretary
Regina Pinney currently serves as Executive Director of Nonprofit Network and is a board member of CP Federal Credit Union. She has also been active in the Financial Stability Network and other collective impact workgroups. She lives in Jackson with her wife, Carrie, and their three cats. They have 2 grown sons. Regina is excited to bring her expertise to the Jackson Pride Center.
Ian Wilson, Board Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
Karyl Baker
Karyl Baker is a native of Jackson county, a graduate of Northwest High School and Spring Arbor College. While living in Boston Massachusetts, after college, she became a Master Electrician and union foreman. She then used her electrical knowledge to become involved with the computer industry as a repair technician for a regional bank. In 2002 she was able to move back to Jackson to become her elderly mother’s caretaker.
Karyl began volunteering with the Jackson Pride Center as an assistant Executive Director a few months after the city of Jackson passed its Non Discrimination Ordinance in 2017. She was an integral part of the planning and hosting of the very first LGBT Jackson Pride Parade and Festival, in the fall of the same year.
A special area of Karyl’s interest are LGBT elders, who are underrepresented, in general, and are at greater risk of neglect and caretaker abuse.
Rebecca Calkins
Rebecca Calkins is the Public Relations Coordinator at LifeWays Community Mental Health. She graduated from Ball State University with a bachelors degree in advertising and French. She also has masters degree in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University. She’s a Jackson native social media addict and social justice warrior full of wanderlust seeking the best Michigan craft beer and wine.
Brenda Pilgrim
Brenda works as Planning, Program and Development Director for Community Action Agency of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale. Additionally Brenda, currently severs on the Board of the Center for Family Health and has served on various boards in the Jackson Community over the years. Her diverse experience includes financial development, communications and legislative involvement. This quote is one of her favorites and brings her to Jackson Pride Center. “I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.” Malala Yousafzai
Angie Guadagnini
Bio coming soon!
Willie Adams
Willie Adams (He/Him/His) is an IT Technician at Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH), and a new resident of Jackson. Additionally, Willie serves on both the HFAH Diversity & Inclusion committee and currently the Vice-President of the broader Henry Ford Health System LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, PRIDE. Willie is a Detroit native born and raised in the city. He attended the University of Detroit Mercy where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems in 2011. Willie has a passion for social justice and “having a seat at the table” in these diverse spaces. In his free time, you can find him traveling, socializing with friends, exploring nature, and he’s a major foodie who loves to try new cuisines.
Dan Miyake
Rev. Dan Miyake serves as the minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty in Clarklake, MI. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Earlham School of Religion (a Quaker seminary) in Richmond, Indiana, and worked as a Chaplain Resident at a level 1 Trauma Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan was recently ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister on November 1, 2020. Dan also holds a Master of Music Education degree and plays the French horn. Dan and his partner, Erica (and their and their two tri-pod cats, Nova and Frank), moved to Michigan in July, and are enjoying getting to know the area. They both enjoy fishing, going to parks, playing board games, collecting rocks and gemstones, and exploring antique stores. Dan hopes to build strong community ties and relationships in the community, and he is passionate about working to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
Joey DeLombarde
Joey DeLombarde serves as the Manager of Governance at OCHIN (Portland, OR), a national nonprofit health care collaborative that provides technology, knowledge solutions and expertise, and research to support community health organizations in providing high-quality care to patients across the country. OCHIN partners to build a more just and resilient health care system, so everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their full health potential.
Before joining OCHIN in 2021, he served in leadership positions at the American Hospital Association and Henry Ford Allegiance Health.
Joey brings 15 years of experience in health care administration and non-profit governance. He has partnered with CEOs and executives to carry out the mission, vision, and strategy of organizations, supported numerous nonprofit governing boards and committees, and developed structures, processes, and policies based on best-practice research that led to improved governance operations.
Joey resides in Jackson with his partner, Jordan.