OUR BOARD
Michael Sgambati
Ogunquit
OUR TEAM
Gia Drew
she/her
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gia Drew is the Executive Director at EqualityMaine. Gia has been with EqualityMaine since starting as a volunteer on the 2012 marriage equality campaign. She serves on multiple committees and boards, including on the Maine Advisory Board to the US Commission on Civil Rights, MaineCare Advisory Committee, a Trustee of Maine Health Access Foundation, and board chair of Equality Federation, a leading national LGBTQ+ organization. Born and raised in the Boston area, Gia was previously a high school teacher and coach for 20 years, and has called Maine home for nearly 25 years.
Heide Lester
they/she
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Prior to their tenure at EqualityMaine, Heide spent time in the tech sector working with a variety of nonprofits, focusing particularly on high-touch fundraising. Heide previously held fundraising positions at Maine Public, Tri-County Mental Health Services, and Bates College. They hold a B.A. in History and in German Studies from Wellesley College, studied at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany, and received a Certificate in Fundraising from the University of Southern Maine. Heide serves on the boards of Resources for Organizing and Social Change (ROSC) and Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP).
Email Heide
Kelly Solberg
she/her
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
As the Director of Youth and Education Programs, Kelly oversees the New Leaders Project by formalizing EqualityMaine’s current summer program and extending youth leadership throughout the year. In addition, she conducts educational trainings to school and youth-related organizations. Before joining EQME, Kelly was a middle school teacher for four years and an afterschool enrichment director for five years. While teaching, she implemented her school’s first GSTA club. She absolutely loves her time spent with youth - especially middle school aged people - and is devoted to helping young people build resiliency skills and become engaged members of their communities. Kelly holds a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Education from the University of Maine at Farmington as well as an M. ED from Lesley University. When not working, you can find Kelly enjoying her time outside exploring new trails, reading or taking care of two unique cats with her partner.
Izzy Ostrowski
she/her
DIRECTOR OF NETWORK FOR OLDER ADULTS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Izzy's background and previous experiences include advocacy, community organizing, theater, and direct care work. Izzy is passionate about the interconnectedness of community care, harm reduction, storytelling, and collective liberation. Izzy is so excited to be part of the EqualityMaine team and supporting NOA with their community-building events and programming. When Izzy’s not cuddling with her cat, Josie, she is writing snail mail, collecting vintage cards, and watching movies.
Jessi
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
In their role as Communications Manager, Jessi manages all external communications to EqualityMaine’s audience, via social media, email, and website. Prior to working at EqualityMaine, they managed their own social media and marketing business and yearned to have clients who cared about LGBTQ+ issues. Safe to say that he has found his people. Before self-employment, they learned through their work as a writing tutor, yearbook editor, and bookseller that they loved to connect to people through writing and reading. They earned a B.S. from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and will most likely never use their degree. When Jessi’s not yelling about LGBTQ+ issues, he’s yelling about queer sci-fi or fantasy books he’s reading, video games he’s playing, or movies he’s watching. They have a small hairless bearded dog who is most likely a wizard trapped in a dog’s body, and who is the center of Jessi’s universe. On weekends, Jessi can be found turning into a forest nymph and disappearing into the woods with their partner.
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