Meet The Board

A local fixture in Olympia’s music scene since 1988, Tela launched her career as a music instructor and educator in 1998. Throughout her career she has taught hundreds of youth, inspiring joy and excellence in all of her students. Pizza Klatch played an instrumental role when she began her transition in 2017. After formally coming out in 2020, Pizza Klatch provided her the opportunity to support LGBTQ+ youth. She began facilitating Klatches in 2022 and has dedicated her activism through local organizations to support LGBTQ+ youth ever since. Tela is the proud parent of two young adults.

Sam (he/him) is a dedicated advocate and trainer. Originally from Henderson, Nevada, he lived in Oregon and New Hampshire before finding his home in Olympia. Sam’s initial involvement in LGBTQ+ activism began during his undergraduate years where he was the Coordinator for Western Oregon Universities LGBTQ resource hub, the Stonewall Center, and discovered joy and delight participating in the annual Drag Show. Sam most recently served as the Trans & Queer Initiatives Coordinator for the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Intersectional Support Services office at The Evergreen State College. He is passionate about transformative justice, equal access for all, and ensuring our communities are places where all queer people can thrive. Sam can often be found on the Sound, snowboarding down a mountain, or playing board games with his wife and friends.

threshold joined the board to support an organization that they know would have been life changing for them when they were a struggling queer youth.

Bio coming soon!