Work Experience
Senior Advisor, Inclusive Development (2022 - present)
Outright International
Created and implemented activities to ensure the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities in development policies and programs. Supported LGBTIQ groups to advocate at USAID, GIZ, ministries of finance, the G7, and development banks.
Led campaign for the inclusion of LGBTIQ people in Asian Development Bank environmental and social standards.
Coordinated CSO Coalition at World Bank.
Initiated the formation, jointly with the Bank Information Center, of IBAN (the Inclusive Bank Advocacy Network), a network of LGBTIQ advocates in borrowing countries seeking inclusion in World Bank-financed projects.
Led campaign on behalf of Ugandan LGBTIQ advocates seeking suspension of World Bank loans
to Uganda and implementation of non-discrimination provisions in World Bank projects.
Independent Consultant (2018 - present)
Provided expert support to clients in the fields of development, human rights, strategic planning/evaluation, and LGBTI inclusion. Clients include
UNDP, New York (interagency statement on LGBTI issues; ethical guidelines for Member States collecting LGBTI data).
UNDP, Asia (report on discrimination in Thailand).
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (supported preparation of report by Independent Expert and managed public commentary process on LGBT data collection).
CanWaCH/Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (LGBTI Inclusion Guidance).
RSFL/Swedish LGBTI Federation (drafted For All: The Sustainable Development Goals and LGBTI People, drafted Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of LGBTI People in Development Policy and Programs, and conducted trainings of activists on development framework, advocacy, and data.
Human Rights Watch (created evaluation system for LGBT program).
ILGA World, Geneva (drafted five year strategic plan).
The Disability Rights Fund (sexuality consultant).
All Survivors Project, London (assisted in advocacy efforts on behalf of male survivors of sexual assault in conflict).
Director of International Programs (2014-2018)
The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Created and directed international program at premier LGBT research institute on projects concerning demographics and development outcomes of LGBT populations, the economic impact of stigma, analysis of State compliance with human rights norms.
Co-authored Global Acceptance Index and Legal Inclusion Index.
Served as principal investigator for human subject research projects.
Created theoretical framework for applying human development framework/capabilities approach to LGBT issues.
Participated in preparation, legal analysis, and co-chaired expert meeting for Yogyakarta Plus Ten process.
Coordinated process to develop global standard for gender identity data collection, including convenings in Katmandu and Amsterdam about survey methodologies.
Provided expert submissions to UN bodies in UPR reviews, filed amicus briefs and expert statements in Colombia (gay marriage, custody), Russia (anti-propaganda laws).
Served on the US State Department Sub Working Group on Religion and Social Justice.
Serve on the Faculty Advisory Committees of the International and Comparative Law Program, the LGBT Studies Program, and LLM programs.
Coordinated first global meeting on issues of LGBT development (2015).
Program Director (2008 – 2014)
Senior Philanthropic Advisor (2003 – 2008)
Philanthropic Advisor (2001 – 2003)
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
Created and directed large strategic grantmaking programs (800 grants/$300 million) in the fields of LGBTI rights, torture/detention, corporate social responsibility, disability, human rights defenders and global human rights infrastructure. Supervised programs staff and served on senior management team for firm (60 employees in New York, Washington, D.C., Kampala and Dar es Salaam).
Devised and implemented strategic plan and evaluation systems.
Helped design and launch LGBT programs at major human rights NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, Human Rights First, Frontline Defenders. Involved in incubation of Council for Global Equality, Disability Rights Fund, and InterACT.
Worked closely with advocates in Kampala, served daily global coordination role regarding anti-gay legislation in Uganda.
Initiated process supporting creation of the Yogyakarta Principles, a seminal international document identifying the international human rights of LGBT people.
Designed and implemented re-granting programs at the Astraea Foundation, Tides Foundation, Proteus, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Freedom-to-Marry, Arabella Advisors, Frontline Defenders.
Conducted first-ever survey of foundation funding of LGBTI issues.
Created program to fund the design and implementation of national standards for youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system.
Worked closely with USAID staff to help create the USAID development partnership.
Co-founded Civil Marriage Collaborative (pooled funding mechanism for marriage equality), and participated in strategic decisions about marriage equality ballot measures and campaigns in California, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and other states.
Founding Co-chair and board member (2009-2014)
Global Philanthropy Project
(While seconded part time from Wellspring Advisors) Co-chaired and supervised staff of foundation affinity group of global LGBT funders. Core members included the Arcus Foundation, Open Society Foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies, HIVOS, American Jewish World Service, as well as involvement from bilaterals such as SIDA and USAID.
Fostered coordination of global grantmaking, information sharing, peer-to-peer support.
Targeted potential new donors to field to increase overall giving.
Co-chaired, along with staff of BMZ, Berlin, historic first meeting of governments and donors to LGBT issues.
Director (2005-2008)
Human Rights Funders Network
(While seconded part time from Wellspring Advisors) Directed all aspects of staffed affinity group with three global meetings each year, including fundraising, financial operations, membership services, communications, facilitation of strategy and program decisions, and supervision of staff.
Fostered formation of working groups leading to Fund for Global Human Rights and Disability Rights Fund.
Doubled participation in meetings, tripled membership list, and quintupled the budget.
Gave multiple presentations on human rights, evaluation and strategic planning at major philanthropic meetings.
Executive Director (1996 - 2001)
Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights
Founded and directed a legal service agency providing legal representation and policy advocacy to LGBT individuals facing discrimination in Pennsylvania. Supervised all aspects of operations, fundraising, litigation, board and staff development, community and coalition relations, financial and administrative operations.
Supervised legal representation and assistance to 600 clients each year in areas of employment discrimination, custody/adoption, hate crimes, property transfer, name and gender change, discrimination in schools, police misconduct and domestic violence.
Successfully lobbied for defeat of anti-gay legislation and passage of nation’s broadest municipal domestic partnership legislation. Provided leadership on opposing discriminatory policies of Boy Scouts, government censorship of LGBT issues in public spaces, opposition to anti-gay radio show “Dr. Laura,” and other issues.
The Center served as chair of the Philadelphia Domestic Partnership Coalition, absorbed clients of Custody Action for Lesbian Mothers (CALM) when it ceased operations, and served as the incubator of Pennsylvania’s statewide LGBT advocacy group (the Statewide Pennsylvania Advocacy Coalition and subsequently Pennsylvania Equality).
Opened nation’s first law school clinic, jointly with the University of Pennsylvania Law School of Law, serving LGBT people.
Attorney-at-Law (1994-1996)
Law Offices of Andrew S. Park, Esq. Philadelphia
Represented primarily gay and lesbian clientele in employment matters, particularly discrimination, as well as personal injury, small business, estate planning and domestic relations matters.
Administrative Judge (1993-1994)
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Philadelphia
Adjudicated claims of employment discrimination brought by federal employees against federal agencies. Served as presiding officer at administrative hearings, applied federal of evidence and procedure, received sworn testimony and documentary evidence, issued rulings concerning discovery and evidentiary objections, and issued findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Trial Attorney, Office of General Counsel (1990-1993)
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington, DC
Litigated complex class action employment discrimination cases in federal courts across country.
Initiated investigations, drafted pleadings, conducted discovery, handled complex bankruptcy matters,
Served on trial team for EEOC v. Mississippi State Tax Com’n, resulting in largest-ever settlement under ADEA.
Served on trial team for cases against airlines, resulting in changes in flight attendant weight standards.
Served as coordinator of legal research training for paralegal staff.
General Attorney, Office of Review and Appeals (1989 - 1990)
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington, DC
Drafted appellate level administrative decisions on federal sector employment discrimination complaints. Served in division which decided "sensitive" issues where EEOC had not yet determined policy such as religious accommodation, drug addiction as a handicap, and AIDS.
EDUCATION
George Washington University
Juris Doctor (1989)
Fourth in Nation, ABA Negotiation Team Competition Finals
Honors, Moot Court
Trustee Scholarship
George Mason University
Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, May 1986
Phi Sigma Alpha, Public Affairs Honor Society
Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha, Communications Honor Society
National Champion, National Junior Varsity Debate Tournament
University Outstanding Achievement Award for Debate
SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY/PRO BONO EXPERIENCE
Board, International Service for Human Rights, Geneva (2017-2019)
Advisory Board, All Survivors Project (2017-present)
Human Rights Watch, LGBT Rights Advisory Committee (2006 – 2014)
Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, Board of Trustees, (2009 – 2011), Chair, Personnel Committee, Member, Audit and Finance/Investment Committees (2010 – 2011)
Philadelphia Foundation, Board of Trustees (2003)
Philadelphia Mayor John Street’s Transition Committee (1999)
Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, Grant Distribution Committee (1997)
Philadelphia Domestic Partnership Coalition, Chair (1997)
Philadelphia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee (1995 – 1996), Legal Services Committee (1996 – 2000)
National Coalition of Working Families, Member, National Board of Advisors (1995 – 1998)
Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, Co-founder (1994), Co-chair (1995), Board of Directors (1994 – 1997)
Vote With Pride, Coordinator/Co-founder (1995 – 1996)
Custody Action for Lesbian Mothers, Member, Board of Directors (1994 – 1997)
Philadelphia Fight-the-Right Network, Steering Committee (1995 – 1996)
Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia, Board of Directors (1993 – 1996)
Philadelphia Gay News, Legal Columnist (1994 – 2000)
Stonewall Democrats National Conference, Philadelphia, Co-chair (1994)
Gay and Lesbian Attorneys of Washington, DC, Co-chair (1990 – 1991), Board of Directors (1991-1992)
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 2667, Member and Delegate to National Council of EEOC Locals (1992 – 1993), Chief Arbitration Counsel (1992 – 1993), Chair, Constitutional Redrafting Committee (1991), Chair, Elections Committee (1990, 1992)
Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae of George Washington University, Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors (1989 – 1990)
Washington, DC Area Clinic Defense Task Force, Police Liaison, Legal Observer, (1990 – 1992)