Meet the Team!
The People Who Make the Difference!
Staff
Roz Gould Keith (she/hers)
Executive Director and Founder
My journey began in 2013 when my son came out as transgender. We navigated the journey together so he could get what he needed to transition socially, emotionally, psychologically and medically. It took nearly a year to find appropriate resources to support my child. At that point I knew that we needed to be a support for others out there like us. Families needed to know they were not alone and with the blessing of my family, Stand with Trans was born.
Helping others is a passion of mine. I long for a healthier, safer world. I am a plant-based “foodie”, a novice knitter, and a doting grandma. I love my family and would do anything for my children. I am OBSESSED with my dog. I believe in the power of community to uplift others.
I founded Stand with Trans in 2015 and am currently the Executive Director of the organization; our mission is to empower and support transgender youth and their loved ones.
Logan T.J. Harding (he/him)
Resource Manager and Support Group Coordinator
My name is Logan T.J. Harding, and I’m the Research Librarian for the Lifeline Library project. I’m a very proud transgender man and dog dad. In the past, I participated in the Avodah Jewish Service Corps service year in Washington D.C. from 2019-2020, where I received training on anti-poverty and anti-racism work through a Jewish social justice lens. Part of that service year also involved working at a digital literacy non-profit named Byte Back, where I led computer foundations and Microsoft Office classes for adults who had been left behind in the digital age due to income inequality and lack of resources. I’ve also spent many years working in the food service industry as a cook, and recently embarked on a secondary career path at a dog daycare after being active in some dog rescue actions in San Antonio, TX.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with and training my deaf dog, playing my Playstation, discovering new-to-me music, jamming out on the ukulele, reading about random research topics, and collecting vinyl records.
Lev Levett (they/them)
Program Manager
Hi Folks, my name is Lev (they/them), I am beyond thrilled to begin my journey with Stand With Trans as their new Program Manager. My background lies within advocacy, education, supportive services, public health education, mental health and transgender healthcare over the span of the last fifteen years.
I spent three years as the Community Health Navigator for TRUE Center for Gender Diversity through Children’s Hospital of Colorado. During my time there, I also co-facilitated our 2020 DE&I initiative for their LBGTQ+ Employee Resource Group “Spectrum ALLYance”, as well as oversaw our Trans Patient Advisory Council.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my son (he’s a dog) Leo, reading, playing sports such as basketball and softball, dancing, attending concerts, drawing, eating good food and I’m also a drag king and enjoy performing locally whenever possible. Please feel free to contact me anytime: Lev@standwithtrans.org
Anthony Martinez (He/They)
Communications Manager
I’m a Detroit based creative marketer specializing in community relations and advocacy. I like to create and promote safe and inclusive spaces while partnering with other businesses and organizations that are uprooted in community activism and awareness. I’ve previously worked with organizations like the Detroit Health Department, LGBT Detroit, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to help break down the stigma behind LGBTQ+ matters and cannabis use.
I also teach group fitness classes specializing in Pilates and indoor cycling at Vibe Ride, located in downtown Detroit. My practice aims to create mind and body balance while performing mobility training techniques and breathing exercises.
Cameron Parkins (he/him)
CRM Administrator
I am here because, when I started my transition journey, Roz was my Ally Mom. We only texted a few times, but our interactions were invaluable at a very stressful time in my life. When I had the bandwidth to be able to give back, I reached out, asking if I could become a Stand with Trans volunteer. I have been fortunate to be involved now on multiple levels – volunteer, board member, and now part of the staff.
I am a dog dad, a self-professed geek with a love for books, playing the ukulele, watching minor league baseball, and going on road trips.
S’Niyah Tate (she/her)
MYTV facilitator
Eridian Dempsey (they/them)
Social Work Intern and Therapy Assistance Coordinator
Judie Tomaszewski (she/her)
Membership/Volunteer Coordinator for Ally Parents
I am a licensed Social Worker who graduated with an MSW from Wayne State University. I recently spent several years working as a Crisis Intervention Counselor at Common Ground in Pontiac. Additionally, I was active in the Mentoring Program at Jewish Family Services and have maintained a close relationship with my mentee for the past 19 years. As mom to a transgender son, I am happy to bring my experience in social services and communication (my undergraduate degree was in Journalism) to SWT and to help with coordinating membership and organizing events for Ally Parents. I’ve always been passionate about the need to embrace diversity and combating discrimination of any kind as well as helping people to advocate for themselves and their families.
Dion Bourque (he/him)
Volunteer Coordinator
Dion brings nearly 20 years of management experience to the role of Volunteer Coordinator. His background in scheduling, training, leadership and organization will help facilitate the goals of Stand with Trans volunteers outreach within the community.
As the father of a trans child Dion strives to show support, love and respect to all youth who are embarking on their journey and desires to make a difference in their lives.
Barbara Shumer (she/hers)
Volunteer
I worked as a public librarian in a variety of professional capacities for over 30 years, primarily working in youth services. I have also worked in an administrative and secretarial capacity at a busy medical office. I am an avid advocate for children and youth, with special interests in early childhood, literacy, and helping people of all ages find resources and information to counter bias and stereotypes. Children need advocates, and I am passionate about supporting them and helping others find the resources and programs to become better educated and informed.
My son, Daniel, is currently a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Michigan and is the physician provider at the new U of M Pediatric Gender Management Clinic. His passion for helping transgender and gender expansive youth lead to my own interest and enthusiasm. I feel it is important for me to educate and enlighten so many who just do not understand.
I received my Undergraduate degree and Masters in Library Science degree from the University of Michigan.
Board of Directors
Steven Davis (he/him)
Secretary
I am a proud gay man who works to make communities more inclusive for all LGBTQ+ members. I’ve witnessed the barriers that our society places in front of trans friends, family, and co-workers on a daily basis and I want to advocate for a safer, more inclusive world for them.
I am the Assistant Director, Conferences and Missions at Jewish Federations of North America.
I earned my B.A. from Connecticut College where I majored in fine arts, minored in art history, and completed a Museum Studies Certificate. I love traveling, photography, swimming, and hosting friends and family for elaborate dinner parties. I live in Ferndale, Michigan with my husband, Jacob, and cat, Xavier (aka “Little Cat”).
Anthony Edelman, M.D., MBA (He/Him)
Board Treasurer
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I was born and raised in southeastern Michigan. I earned my undergraduate and medical degrees at Wayne State University in Detroit. After completing my Anesthesiology residency training at The University of Michigan my wife and I moved to Baltimore for fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to starting our family, we returned to Ann Arbor where we both work as physicians. After being in clinical practice for several years, I returned to The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business to earn my MBA. My wife and I have 2 wonderful children and 2 French Bulldogs. We love to travel, experience unique local cultures and try new foods.
When our family was looking for a community to support us when our daughter came out as transgender, we found Stand With Trans. The way our family was welcomed and supported touched us and we knew that we had to help foster and create that environment for others in our community.
Richard Keith (he/him)
Board Member
I am a proud Dad, husband and ally to my son, Hunter. It’s a privilege and honor to be a part of this journey, along with my wife, Roz.
It has been a learning experience, and like any worthwhile learning experience, it forces us to grow, both in knowledge and love, as well as in our willingness to look beyond our bias and pre-conceived notions. We are dedicated to guiding “Stand with Trans” to a place where transgender youth and adults can find the resources and support they need.
I am a Creative Director, dedicated dad and dog lover… I love exercise, writing poetry and watching movies. While living in NYC I served as a Self-Esteem and Substance Abuse Counselor and studied martial arts. I am presently a Certified Radix Practitioner.
Gisgie Dávila Gendreau (she/her)
Board Member
My husband, Tony, and I have two adult daughters and a teen-age son. Our oldest came out as trans at age 25.
We live on a lake north of Lansing, MI, where we spend as much time as we can outdoors, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. I’m an ultramarathoner and also make sure to bike, do yoga and hike for cross training.
I’m the communications and government relations director for MESSA, a health plan for public school and municipal employees who take care of children and communities around the state. I’ve also served as a foundation president, a statewide elected official’s spokeswoman and as a communications lead for several nonprofit organizations. I started my career as a journalist, so I love telling stories and ask a lot of questions.
Jason Stafne (he/him)
Board Member
Jen Van Thiel (she/her/hers)
Interim Board President
Jen Van Thiel (she/her/hers) arrived in Michigan by way of California and New York. She has been an advocate of trans rights since 2015. She received a law degree from Cornell and worked and lived in New York before moving to Michigan. She is passionate about all human rights and specifically trans rights.
She shares her life with two wonderfully lively children and their two rambunctious cats. She loves to hike, read, run, dress up for Halloween, and go to the beach. She also loves coffee and cooking healthy plant-based meals. Each day she strives to make our part of the world a more loving, accepting and better place.
Chris Tull (he/him)
Board Member
My wife Rebecca and I are the proud parents of two teenagers, Sam, who identifies as nonbinary, and our daughter Lucy. We returned to our home state of Michigan a few years ago after many years in Chicago and Los Angeles.
I currently serve as the Director for Humble Design Detroit, a nonprofit that fully furnishes homes for families and veterans emerging from homelessness. I pivoted into this mission-driven role after a marketing career in partnerships, sports and entertainment marketing, sponsorship and events at Chicago agencies including Wunderman (Y&R) and Arc Worldwide (Leo Burnett). My earlier career in Los Angeles focused on marketing and sales in the independent film world.
I’m an alumnus of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts film program and studied nonprofit management at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
I’m grateful for the chance to positively impact lives and community with Stand with Trans.
Advisory Council
Ken Bernard (he/him)
Investment Advisor
Antonia Caretto, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Antonia Caretto, Ph.D. is a fully licensed Clinical Psychologist and a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Alliant International University California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Caretto’s 1991 doctoral dissertation research was on “Familial Homosexuality Among Women and It’s Relationship to Childhood Gender Role Non-Conformity and Adult Sex Role.”
Dr. Caretto has a solo private practice in Farmington Hills, Michigan and gender identity development continues to the focus of much of her work. Dr. Caretto presented her research on transgender youth at the WPATH Symposium in Bangkok Thailand in 2014 and recently co-authored an article: “Initial Clinical Guidelines for Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria or Incongruence in Adolescents.”
In addition to treating gender diverse adults, teens, and children she provides training on transgender identities to a variety of consumer and professional groups including medical professionals at Henry Ford Health System and the University of Michigan, University of Toledo, and Oakland University Medical Schools.
Yma Johnson (she/her)
Writer/Consultant
Yma Johnson is the mother of a nonbinary college student and a passionate advocate for youth rights. She co-founded the Ann Arbor-chapter of Stand with Trans and is a member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council. She also co-chairs the Washtenaw County Health for All Steering Committee. Yma is a committed activist for a variety of progressive causes, including protections for people managing mental illness, housing justice, and sustainable food systems. She is a grant writer and nonprofit development consultant who began her career as a journalist in San Juan, Puerto Rico 25 years ago. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.
Jay Kaplan (he/him)
Attorney
Jay Kaplan is currently a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan’s LGBT Project, which was founded in 2001. He advocates for the LGBT community on a number of issues, challenging current laws and moving for reforms.
Dan Shumer, M.D. (he/him)
Pediatric Endocrinologist
Dr. Shumer is a pediatric endocrinologist at Mott Children’s Hospital, and the founder and medical director of the Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic at Mott. His research has involved the mental health vulnerabilities of transgender youth. His medical degree is from Northwestern University, and he also has a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University. He has a son and lives in Ann Arbor, MI.
Amy L. Ver Wey, MA LLP RPT (she/her)
Mental Health Therapist
Amy received her Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Counseling Psychology and has been licensed as a mental health therapist since 2015. She currently co-owns a private practice, River City Psychological Services, and works with people of all ages, primarily children and young adults. Amy has been a Registered Play Therapist since 2019 and practices a creative, cognitive and interpersonal approach to therapy, incorporating mindfulness, popular culture, art, music, role playing games and technological aspects to modify her treatment on an individualized basis.
Amy identifies as a queer therapist, practices a gender affirmative therapeutic approach and focuses on working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has specifically worked with TGNC youth for her whole career. She has held full membership with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health since 2017 and is a WPATH Certified Transgender Health Provider and Mentor. Amy works to support the transgender community through mental health support, educational advocacy, affirmative letter writing, resource connections, working events, running support groups and being an activist.
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We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, marital status, veteran status, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical size or weight, status as parent or caregiver, pregnancy status, ancestry, or physical or mental disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship. Our equal employment opportunity philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, training, promotion, transfer, job benefits, pay, and dismissal. Stand with Trans aims to be guided by people most-impacted by the issues at the center of our work. We encourage BIPOC and people with disabilities to apply for open positions.
Mailing Address
23332 Farmington Rd #84
Farmington, MI 48336
Call
248.907.4853