In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into…
Greg Miraglia is a dean emeritus at Napa Valley College and is a professor of LGBT Studies and Criminal Justice at Napa Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College and City College of San Francisco. He is a host and producer of an LGBT news radio program on station KRCB and an HIV test counselor at…
In his professional position as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Carlson, Inc., John provides primary support to the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to his current role, John held numerous legal positions, including that of General Counsel, at Imation, Silicon Graphics, and Cray Research, Inc. John is also active in local community…
Sandra Anadiotis is Vice President of Finance and Contract Administration at ConverDyn, an energy company owned by Honeywell International Inc. and General Atomics. She has held numerous positions within the organization over 20+ years and currently is responsible for the financial performance of the $200 M revenue company. Sandra believes that working professionals outside the…
Becky Monroe is a civil rights attorney who has worked for almost twenty years with leaders at the federal, state, and local level to combat hate and support the development of community-centered responses to hate incidents and hate crimes. Becky has been fortunate to see the extraordinary team at the Matthew Shepard Foundation in action…
Bob Witeck is President of Witeck Communications, Inc., and, for over 25 years, a pioneering communications strategist dedicated to the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities around the world. He is a communications consultant, author, speaker, and researcher. His award-winning firm is the first certified LGBT-owned business in the U.S. by…
Dennis is the father of Matthew Shepard and has been an advocate for parents’ unconditional love for their LGBT children both during Matt’s life and, very publicly, since the hate-motivated murder in Laramie, Wyoming, which took Matt’s life at age 21. Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Dennis earned a degree in education from the University of…