STAFF
The staff at OutReach work tirelessly everyday to improve the lives of the LGBT Community in Southern Wisconsin. OutReach operates with full-time/part-time/half-time staff and volunteers.
Executive Director - Steve Starkey
Steve is OutReach's longest serving Executive Director in the center's history. For 11 years, Steve has served as the ED and has a rich history in fighting for equality and human rights going back to the 1970s, as a volunteer, donor, board or committee member, or staff member with various organizations.
He has served two terms on of the board of New Harvest Foundation from 1996-2002, was the Founding Vice President of the Social Justice Center from 2001-2003, the Treasurer of the Board of Citizen Action of WI Education Fund from 2003-2007, and served on the board of Community Shares of Wisconsin.
Program Director - AJ Hardie, PhD
AJ (he/they) came to Madison from North Carolina and has been living and putting down roots here for ten years. He has a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022) and when not working at OutReach can be found gardening, hiking, reading, or hanging out with his partner and two cats.
AJ was originally hired at OutReach in early 2022 as Transgender Advocate, but was promoted to Program Director in mid-2022.
Media & IT Manager - Brian Maulana-Poncé
Brian is a graduate of Madison College and University of Phoenix. He also studied Marketing & Business at the University of WI - Madison and the University of Chicago.
Brian has been involved with OutReach since 1994 and has over 20+ years experience in graphic & web design, event planning, and tech work.
Brian is also the co-founder of Ravyn Entertainment and can be found djing at various events as DVJ Ravyn.
LGBTQ+ AODA Advocate - Linda Lenzke
Linda studied Communication Arts and was in the School of Business at UW Madison. She also studied Journalism a UW Parkside. Linda has an extensive background in business and LGBTQ+ activism as a longtime resident of Madison.
Linda's decades of experience in recovery work make her an ideal candidate for this position.
LGBTQ+ Elder Advocate - Kristi Mason, MSW
Trans Advocate - Gabriel Loredo
As the Elder Advocate, Kristi coordinates trainings and workshops to educate agencies and individuals about the presence and needs of LGBTQ 50+ adults within the community. Kristi will also work with individuals on advocating for their right to healthy aging in accordance with their own values and priorities.
Gabe has worn many hats throughout his life before coming to OutReach as the Trans Health Advocate where he brings his passion for advocacy and lived experience. They have participated in The Madison Gay Hockey Association and is a current member of Perfect Harmony Chorus. They live in Madison with their dog.
Bookkeeper - Barb Kneer
Barb has been a longtime employee of OutReach as well as the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, She has been working in a financial capacity with nonprofits since 1998. Prior to that, Barb was
Section Chief in the Financial and Grant Bureaus of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a Federal Bank Examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She loves accounting. Really.
Operations & Event Coordinator - Mack McKellips
Mack is a recent graduate of UW Madison where they majored in Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies. They plan on attending UW Madison in the fall of 2023 to complete a Master’s of Clinical
Social Work degree. In his role, Mack supports day-to-day operations of program staff and coordinates special events held by OutReach
Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator - Tarah Stangler
Tarah (she/they) is a transplant from the Twin Cities area who came to Madison 5 years ago for undergrad where she studied English and Community & Nonprofit Leadership. In 2020, they left undergrad to focus on organizing and supporting her community during the uprising. Her background in organizing and lived experience with substances informs the work she does and focuses their approach to harm
Social Media Coordinator - Araceli Esparza
Araceli Esparza helps organizations create authentic outreach and engagement workshops, keynote addresses, and consulting strategies that positively impact marginalized communities.
In addition to being a published author and poet, Araceli is a long-time outreach professional and
speaker. She enjoys working on outreach and recruitment and retainment initiatives that help marginalized populations. She has an eye for social media creation and finds it a fun challenge to mix words and images in a way that captures attention and cultivates action.
IT Consultant - Wayne Gathright
Wayne has been a longtime volunteer at OutReach, working in various leadership capacities for over a decade.
Wayne facilitates a Crossdressers Support Group, as well as the Friday MATA Transgender Support Group. Wayne is employed as a Library Services Assistant Advanced in the UW-Madison Preservation Department.
reduction in community centered, abolitionist solutions.
When they’re not organizing or working at OutReach, you’ll find her cooking enough food to feed the city of Madison, working with plants, and spending time with her loved ones.