Jason is a visual artist and independent digital experience consultant. He is passionate about creating resilient, ethical and sustainable solutions. He centers customer experience, consent, data privacy and responsive intelligence in his work. He has also led workplace DEI and cultural competence initiatives, including founding Thrivent's Pride Business Network for LGBTQ+ employees and allies. He is committed to building better networks, intelligence and capacity so that the LGBTQ+ community can thrive now and in future generations.

As a trans person who has been fortunate to access quality therapy, support and community, he knows it's critical to increase access for all queer and trans youth, especially those of multiply marginalized identities. Jason lives with roommates and three cats in South Minneapolis. In his spare time, he enjoys planting things, hiking, and making art, food, mead, and music.

Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley

CB Baga is an associate at the law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. In 2015, CB founded the free queer/trans Legal Clinic at the Volunteer Lawyers Network to provide a gateway to legal resources to the community. In their billable career, CB works in complex commercial litigation, including insurance, sports and recreation, risk management, and complex contract disputes. In their pro bono work, CB specializes in trans community care, including brief services advice and identity document corrections. CB also volunteers to train courts, legal community, and education community to become more culturally competent with the trans and queer community. In addition to RECLAIM, CB is a board member for Gender Justice. CB joined the RECLAIM Board of Directors as a way to serve and give back to the community that raised them—because RECLAIM supports our community’s healing and can re-allocate access to healing resources despite the inequitable structures of capitalism and volunteer mutual aid. Outside of law and community work, CB is a circus artist-coach-performer and furparent.

Mercedes (Sadie) Plendl is a Program Manager at Better Way Foundation, a small family foundation focused on Indigenous early childhood education. She specializes in nonprofit and foundation capacity building and has a passion for increasing the racial consciousness of organizations through diversity, equity and inclusion work. She is currently pursuing a Master in Public Policy degree at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota with a focus on nonprofit leadership and management. Sadie previously worked in Uijeongbu, South Korea developing curriculum and teaching at the Sogang Language Program. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota and has studied abroad in London and Berlin. In her free time she works to empower organizations serving LGBTQ+ youth, and makes local theater with Dangerous Productions.

Lauren Haahr is currently Associate Counsel at Bridgewater Bank, where she provides legal advice on banking regulations and negotiates various commercial agreements. Lauren previously worked as an associate in the Banking and Financial Services group and Corporate group at Stinson LLP and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, respectively, focusing on complex commercial real estate lending and aircraft financing. While at Stinson LLP, Lauren enjoyed giving back to her community through her pro bono work representing children in foster care through the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota and reviewing case files for the Midwest Innocence Project. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading queer fantasy and science fiction books and spoiling her two miniature schnauzers.

Dr. Tutor has been in the field of Special Education for over 25+ years. She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of MN – Twin Cities. She began her teaching career at a tribal reservation school teaching middle school students with SLD, FAS, ADHD, and EBD. She has taught students with Severe and Profound Disabilities. Her most recent teaching experience was with elementary students with SLD, EBD, ASD, and OHD. She was a Core Faculty member at Capella University sharing her time between facilitating Residencies, chairing Doctoral committees, and the Special Education Teaching program. Currently, she is the Assessment and Licensure Director for LDA of Minnesota.

Alex Askew is currently the Director of Development at The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis. With a career in fundraising development, Alex is interested in the role of Community-Centric Fundraising and the ways that equity work can be woven into our standard practices. Alex also serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – MN Chapter and is credentialed as a Certified Fundraising Professional. You can probably find him walking his dog in the Minneapolis neighborhoods or out camping and exploring.