Meet our team!
Justina Sotelo
She/they - Executive Director
justina@stonewallchico.org
Justina was born and raised in California, she moved to New York City after graduating college and worked as a High School educator for the past four years. Their transition to the nonprofit world was inspired by 7 years of experience as a community organizer and advocate. Justina loves being Stonewall’s Executive Director and looks forward to continuing to deepen their relationships with local residents, organizations and businesses in order to best serve the Stonewall Community!
Marisa Diaz
She/They - Community Outreach Coordinator, Queer Autters Group Facilitator
marisa@stonewallchico.org
Marisa is from here in California, and has lived in Butte County for the past 7 years where she’s had the privilege of building strong relationships in our community and advocating for marginalized groups within it. Marisa has lots of experience working in customer service and office positions, and she serves as the Director of Outreach for Red Bluff Alums for Justice- a nonprofit she co-founded which advocates for the equity and empowerment of BIPOC students at Red Bluff High. They believe their experience will provide them insight into the needs of each individual they encounter, and help them be a great Center Coordinator. She is looking forward to growing into our team and creating her place within the Stonewall Community. We're so glad to have them with us!
Alyssa Larson
She/her - Social Media Coordinator
alyssa@stonewallchico.org
Alyssa has been working at Stonewall Chico since 2016. She’s held many roles including Center Coordinator, Events Coordinator, and now Social Media Coordinator. Alyssa loves Chico and considers it her hometown, though she now lives in San Francisco and divides her time between locations.
Alyssa’s degree is in Organizational Communications and she comes from a diverse background of nonprofit and activism work, event and theatrical production, and community organizing. Alyssa is happy to say she continues to work in all of these fields, simultaneously. She is passionate about facilitating change and joy through collective experience, and about giving voice to those who are often silenced.
Shelby Hebert
She/her - Advocacy and Education Coordinator
shelby@stonewallchico.org
Shelby works and plays in the Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek watersheds, the unceded, current and ancestral land of the Mechoopda people. She's passionate about social justice in all its forms--racial justice, food justice, environmental justice, disability justice, and so on. Through a number of jobs over the years, Shelby has played and learned with thousands of students through environmental, recycling, and compost education across the county. In other places, she's worked with students on home repair and construction projects to get and keep people in affordable housing. You can see she has a hard time making up her mind about what she wants to be when she grows up.
She loves that she gets to represent Stonewall across the North State and host conversations about gender and sexuality because she is eager to make the world a more hospitable place for queer and trans people, especially youth and teens. shelby believes in live music, mutual aid, rest, art, trees, bicycles, dancing, hugs, books, gardens, play, and oxford commas. You might find her at Stonewall, KZFR, Honky Tonk night, the library, choir practice, or the park; and she'll probably ask you, "Who's that [tree, bird, plant, flower]?!", tell you what she knows about them, and/or ask you what books and podcasts you've been into lately.
Tiffani Lang
She/her - Board Chair
tiffani@stonewallchico.org
Tiffani (she/her) and her family returned to her hometown of Chico, CA in 2012, after spending over a decade living in Canada and New Zealand. They are enjoying everything this beautiful area has to offer, most especially the people and the park!
Tiffani is working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and serves youth and families as a Mental Health Clinician. She spent a year interning with the National Association of Social Workers, lobbying California Congressional Representatives in our state capital to cast their votes in alignment with Social Work values and ethics. She has many personal and professional connections to the LGBTQ+ community, and is honored to serve on the Stonewall Board of Directors.
Nicole
She/her - LGBTQ+ Caregivers Group Facilitator
In 2018, Nicole moved to Chico "just for the summer." Before she knew it, however, she'd fallen in love with the town, its people, and—especially—the local queer community. She is grateful for all of the care and services Stonewall provides, particularly the opportunities for connection, and she's excited to be facilitating a group for queer young adults in Chico. If there's a play, art show, or drag performance happening in town, you'll likely find Nicole in attendance, and by day, she works as an IT consultant and labor union steward.
Jenn
She/Her - Daring Dinos Group Facilitator
daringdinos@stonewallchico.org
Jenn (she/her) is originally from Sonoma County but has called Chico home for the past 19 years. Jenn spends her free time with her two amazing children, usually at one of their many activities or events. She loves her career as a social worker, which allows her to support young children in the north state. Jenn considers herself an advocate for all children, but especially for children who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. Daring Dinos is a safe space for LGBTQIA2S+ kids to play, create, and have fun.
Conner
He/ Him - LGBTQ+ Teens and Trans Adults Groups Facilitator
Conner (he/him) has been active with youth programs since moving to Chico to attend Chico State in 1991. After receiving their teaching credential they chose to stay in the area and pursue their interest in agriculture and animals for many years. Upon discovering the wonderful LGBTQ + community and their authentic Transmasculine identity they shifted their focus to helping this community. You may find him helping folks as a handy-person or doing advocacy and education on a number of school campuses in Butte County. When he is not doing that you can see him at Stonewall volunteering as a group facilitator, hauling stuff around for Chico Pride or attending board meetings. Being in nature, taking photographs and spending time with their partner, hopefully all at the same time rounds out the rest of their fun filled life.
Julie
She/Her - Parents of LGBTQ+ People Group
Julie (she/her) is a long time resident of Chico and a retired elementary school teacher. Fall is her absolute favorite time of year because of the brilliant colors! Julie has three wonderful kids, a loving husband and lots of extended family. Working alongside Stonewall activists keeps her fresh and informed. “I learn a great deal and give a little too!”
Christian
He/Him - QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color) Group Facilitator
qtpocsupportgroup@stonewallchico.org
Hi everyone some of you may know me by my stage name Will Ryder but my actual name is Christian Lucero and my pronouns are he/him. I’m excited to be the new facilitator for the QT-POC group and look forward to getting to know you in our meetings. Most of my activist work was previously done on stage but anymore my activist work is done during rallies, protest and at the state capitol alongside Equality California. When I’m not fighting for our rights you can find me creating art, reading, building things, kayaking and hiking. I’m a man of many interest and enjoy staying busy in ways that better serve our community. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions you might have for the group. I hope to meet you soon, stay safe and always remember the world is a brighter place because of you.
Julie P.
She/Her - O.W.Ls (Older, Wiser, LGBTQ+) Group Facilitator
Julie (she/her) recently moved to Chico from the Pacific Northwest. She is loving the community here and the sunshine! She has been a nurse for over 20 years and a professor for 15 years. As a remote worker new to Chico she acutely understands the importance of connecting socially and is excited to facilitate the OWLs (Older Wiser LGBTQ+) adult group. In her off time you can find her hiking, biking, and enjoying local bluegrass musicians.
Bailey
She/Her - Trans Teens Group Facilitator
Bailey Smith (she/her) has lived in Chico since 2013. As a queer trans woman and a parent of two older kids who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community, she feels honored and humbled to have this opportunity to spend time with such an amazing group of young people for free! Queer teen joy is just the best. Bailey lives with her younger kiddo (fora little while longer, anyway) and a varying number of cats and enjoys cooking, skiing, musical theatre, and road trips involving getting lost with purpose.
Emma
She/Her - Trans Teens Group Facilitator
Emma (she/her) has lived in Chico for most of her life. She has a masters in Psychology and has been working with the Stonewall Counseling Program and as a school counselor for several years. She loves the hilarity and awesomeness of children and teens and loves providing a safe space for them to express and create who they are and what they want to share with the world. Emma is queer and pansexual herself and has been involved with the queer and Transgnc community and many Stonewall events over the years. She has facilitated the Transgnc Teen Group for the past five years. Emma loves creating art, being in nature and connecting with people.
Mac
Beyond the Binary Group Facilitator
Kari
Daring Dinos Group Facilitator
daringdinos@stonewallchico.org
Taj
HIV Poz Group Facilitator
hivsupport@stonewallchico.org
Julian
D&D and LGBTQ+ Adults Groups Facilitator
julian@stonewallchico.org
Claire
She/her - Intern
Megan
She/her - Intern
Angela
She/her - Intern
Lilly M.
Any/all - Intern
lilly@stonewallchico.org
Vanessa
She/her - Intern
Eilana
She/her - Intern
Devon
She/they - Intern