Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Patrick joined the team at PFLAG National in May of 2019. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and went to the University of Maryland for his post-secondary education. He earned BAs in Government & Politics and in French, both cum laude, in 2017 and then extended his time as a Terp for one additional year to get his Masters of Public Policy. While in school, he served as an intern in several Congressional Offices, as well as the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Before coming to PFLAG, Patrick was a program manager at the Eisenhower Institute. He was also elected Chair of the Virginia Young Democrats LGBTQA Caucus in April of 2019.

Eddy Funkhouser joined the PFLAG National team in May of 2022. As a Chapter Engagement Coordinator, they support chapters’ success by providing resources and developing programming. Before joining PFLAG National, they worked at the Trans Peer Mentor Program as a Program Manager, where they engaged trans adult volunteers in mentoring trans youth. Eddy has also worked as the Volunteer Services Program Coordinator at the St. Anthony Foundation, which strives to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness or living in poverty, and as the Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Eddy is a former educator, having not only taught at elementary schools but also having founded and facilitated Rainbow Clubs for LGBTQ+ students and allies. In addition to supporting LGBTQ+ K-5 students, he created workshops and support groups for parents of LGBTQ+ elementary schoolers. Eddy attended Oberlin College, where they studied Environmental Studies and Geology. He now lives in San Francisco with his partner. In their free time, Eddy enjoys contra dancing, binging LGBTQ+ TV, and exploring California’s natural beauty

Shaun Connors, Chapter Engagement Manager, comes to PFLAG to support chapters in their development and continued success. His work focuses on providing resources and supporting chapters through programming. Previously, Shaun spent two years working at his undergraduate alma mater, Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, supporting the Frost House staff in Title IX, Dean of Students, and various student affairs initiatives. Shaun holds a Master of Education in Community Engagement from the Community Engagement Fellowship program at Merrimack College in Massachusetts where his culminating project was a workshop focused on Queer history, intergenerational connection and experiential education within LGBTQ+ and adjacent communities. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and Associate of Science in Human Services from Middlesex Community College in Massachusetts.

Jamie Henkel is the Vice President, Learning & Inclusion at PFLAG National. She is the program’s lead trainer and oversees the development of new publications and learning sessions for PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program. Since 2012 she has been the lead architect of PFLAG Academy Online, a monthly webinar program. Jamie lives in Portland, OR with her cat and partner. She enjoys day hiking (but not backpacking) and everything else that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Mackenzie Harte is the Learning & Inclusion Manager at PFLAG National, contributing to a team that has trained tens of thousands of allies since Mackenzie started in March of 2021. Prior to their time at PFLAG, Mackenzie worked with the GLAAD Media Institute to train over 12,000 activists and advocates across the globe, as well as managing Bisexual+ Awareness Week (#BiWeek) in 2019 and 2020. Mackenzie currently resides in New York City with their cat Saoirse, and is a (song)writer and staunch devotee of Carly Rae Jepsen in their spare time.

Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Patrick joined the team at PFLAG National in May of 2019. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and went to the University of Maryland for his post-secondary education. He earned BAs in Government & Politics and in French, both cum laude, in 2017 and then extended his time as a Terp for one additional year to get his Masters of Public Policy. While in school, he served as an intern in several Congressional Offices, as well as the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Before coming to PFLAG, Patrick was a program manager at the Eisenhower Institute. He was also elected Chair of the Virginia Young Democrats LGBTQA Caucus in April of 2019.

Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Jessica Jones Capparell is the Interim Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation at the League of Women Voters of the United States. Jessica manages relationships and strategic planning for federal legislation and lobbying that benefit the organization. Additionally, she advises and assists with aligning advocacy, legislative, and litigation priorities at all levels of the organization. Jessica builds strategic campaigns to impact areas of public policy, generate public support for relevant issues, lobby for policy changes through appropriate channels, and maintain current knowledge of government changes and actions. Before joining the League, Jessica worked on political campaigns throughout the United States, mainly focusing on grassroots engagement and running statewide operations with communications, field, and an online focus. Jessica has a B.A. from Culver-Stockton College. In her free time, Jessica enjoys watching baseball and the WNBA,learning about wine, and watching her son learn new things. She resides in Maryland, with her husband, son, and their dog, Lilly.

Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Patrick joined the team at PFLAG National in May of 2019. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and went to the University of Maryland for his post-secondary education. He earned BAs in Government & Politics and in French, both cum laude, in 2017 and then extended his time as a Terp for one additional year to get his Masters of Public Policy. While in school, he served as an intern in several Congressional Offices, as well as the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Before coming to PFLAG, Patrick was a program manager at the Eisenhower Institute. He was also elected Chair of the Virginia Young Democrats LGBTQA Caucus in April of 2019.

Jamie Henkel is the Vice President, Learning & Inclusion at PFLAG National. She is the program’s lead trainer and oversees the development of new publications and learning sessions for PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program. Since 2012 she has been the lead architect of PFLAG Academy Online, a monthly webinar program. Jamie lives in Portland, OR with her cat and partner. She enjoys day hiking (but not backpacking) and everything else that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Mackenzie Harte is the Learning & Inclusion Manager at PFLAG National, contributing to a team that has trained tens of thousands of allies since Mackenzie started in March of 2021. Prior to their time at PFLAG, Mackenzie worked with the GLAAD Media Institute to train over 12,000 activists and advocates across the globe, as well as managing Bisexual+ Awareness Week (#BiWeek) in 2019 and 2020. Mackenzie currently resides in New York City with their cat Saoirse, and is a (song)writer and staunch devotee of Carly Rae Jepsen in their spare time.

Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Jamie Henkel is the Vice President, Learning & Inclusion at PFLAG National. She is the program’s lead trainer and oversees the development of new publications and learning sessions for PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program. Since 2012 she has been the lead architect of PFLAG Academy Online, a monthly webinar program. Jamie lives in Portland, OR with her cat and partner. She enjoys day hiking (but not backpacking) and everything else that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Mackenzie Harte is the Learning & Inclusion Manager at PFLAG National, contributing to a team that has trained tens of thousands of allies since Mackenzie started in March of 2021. Prior to their time at PFLAG, Mackenzie worked with the GLAAD Media Institute to train over 12,000 activists and advocates across the globe, as well as managing Bisexual+ Awareness Week (#BiWeek) in 2019 and 2020. Mackenzie currently resides in New York City with their cat Saoirse, and is a (song)writer and staunch devotee of Carly Rae Jepsen in their spare time.

Mackenzie Harte is the Learning & Inclusion Manager at PFLAG National, contributing to a team that has trained tens of thousands of allies since Mackenzie started in March of 2021. Prior to their time at PFLAG, Mackenzie worked with the GLAAD Media Institute to train over 12,000 activists and advocates across the globe, as well as managing Bisexual+ Awareness Week (#BiWeek) in 2019 and 2020. Mackenzie currently resides in New York City with their cat Saoirse, and is a (song)writer and staunch devotee of Carly Rae Jepsen in their spare time.

Jamie Henkel is the Vice President, Learning & Inclusion at PFLAG National. She is the program’s lead trainer and oversees the development of new publications and learning sessions for PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program. Since 2012 she has been the lead architect of PFLAG Academy Online, a monthly webinar program. Jamie lives in Portland, OR with her cat and partner. She enjoys day hiking (but not backpacking) and everything else that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.