BOARD CHAIR

Gerald Lanza brings his visionary leadership and dedication to Queerly, Inc., where he champions inclusivity and connection within the LGBTQ+ community. With over 30 years of experience as a renowned designer, Gerald has honed a unique ability to understand individual needs and create spaces that reflect authenticity, style, and comfort. This same intuitiveness and passion drive his commitment to fostering safe, welcoming environments through Queerly’s initiatives and events.

As part of the collective effort behind Woodstock’s first Pride Parade and ongoing socials, Gerald works alongside the Queerly team to ensure every event reflects the mission of celebrating diversity and building meaningful connections. His reputation for being approachable and deeply invested in his work has made him a trusted leader and advocate, ensuring Queerly, Inc. continues to grow as a progressive force in the Woodstock community and beyond. To see some of Gerry’s beautiful interiors go to geraldlanza.com.

VICE CHAIR

Jaime Karate King is a Brooklyn-based Chief Creative Officer, leading creative content for companies such as American Eagle Outfitters, Victoria Secret, maurices and OLD NAVY.  She brings over 20+ years of experience in design, marketing, fashion trend and art direction.

Jaime is recognized as an innovation cultivator who is grounded in big-picture thinking and clearly focused on results.  Within her community, she is loved and appreciated for her focus on creative culture, servant leadership and being a trusted neighbor and partner. She practices her philosophy with these values at its core: INCLUSION, INNOVATION, KINDNESS, CREATIVITY, + CURIOSITY. 

In short:  Left/Right Brainiac. Team Player. Group Hugger. High energy. Not afraid to get her hands dirty.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Aileen Morgan is the co-founder and president of Queerly Inc. Her lifelong passion for building community has grown from creating and managing private functions of all types and sizes, including weekly LGBTQ+ events in Woodstock, NY, where she has been an event manager since 2022. Aileen’s additional experience includes her work as a studio manager for artists with the non profit Sing for Hope, including participating in the curation of the largest public art installation in New York City. She has also managed a premier private fine arts studio in New York City where she oversaw the transfer of works by artists such as Matisse and Jasper Johns. Aileen’s goal in founding Queerly is to bring together a community which fosters healing, loving self expression and provides a celebratory and safe space for all.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Megan Ghiroli is the co-founder and Vice President of Queerly Inc. Alongside her leadership role, she co-founded a weekly event aimed at nurturing inclusive communities and safe spaces within the LGBTQ+ community, driven by her dedication to empowerment and equality. Megan's multifaceted expertise extends to her work as an addiction researcher, collaborating with various academic institutions, hospitals, and harm reduction agencies across the nation. Additionally, she is a passionate storyteller and photographer, leveraging her talents to empower communities and challenge societal stigma.

BOARD TREASURER

Doug Polak is an investment professional based in New York, having spent most of his career in asset management working at notable financial services firms. Doug has a passion for non-profit board service and has served on Boards for NYC charter schools and presently also serves on a community foundation in Brooklyn. Doug loves and appreciates the special community of Woodstock as did both sets of Grandparents when they moved there in the 1950’s. Doug earned a B.A. in Economics from Davidson College and an M.B.A. in Finance from Duke University.

SECRETARY

Jennifer Brown (she/her) is a fairly new but very enthusiastic recent member of the Woodstock, NY community. Originally a professional opera and musical theater singer who had to re-invent herself after a vocal injury, she is now an acclaimed keynote speaker and four-time best-selling author on the topic of inclusive leadership, and has been an out and active advocate for LGBTQ+ workplace equality for nearly three decades. She and her team at Jennifer Brown Consulting, a 20-year-old woman- and LGBT-owned and certified firm, have supported a wide variety of organizations on their DEI journey - from NASA to Disney to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

jenniferbrownspeaks.com@jenniferbrownspeaks

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Erica is a graphic designer specializing in branding development, logo design, websites, social media strategy, and print/online marketing assets. With a background in Art History and Visual Arts, she combines creativity with technical expertise, including proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a focus on Squarespace websites. A 200-hour certified yoga teacher and artist, Erica’s diverse skill set reflects her hands-on approach to life. From crafting quilts and pottery to navigating Home Depot like a pro, she’s a problem-solver who embraces challenges.

Erica takes pride in helping clients build impactful brands through innovative design and marketing strategies.

Explore her work at ericagoodyearbliss.com.

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Benjamin Walker is the founder of Walker At Law, P.C., where he works closely with entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators to help shape the future of business and technology. With a practice spanning venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance, and corporate governance, Ben supports founders and business owners in manifesting and scaling their visions across various sectors.

A lifelong advocate for startups, Ben is passionate about navigating the hurdles to growth and bringing creative solutions to the table. Outside of the office, he enjoys exploring the trails and rock faces of Northeastern state and national parks, often engaging in spirited debates with friends about entrepreneurship and innovation against the backdrop of nature’s beauty.