Corrine Mertz, Youth Coordinator

Outright’s Youth Coordinator is Corrine Mertz. Corrine was previously a residential youth counselor for at-risk youth at NFI in Vermont. Corrine is the greeter-in-chief at Outright and co-facilitates the Sass Academy and Gendertopia. She is a native Vermonter and her first day was back in September 2009! Corrine can be reached at Corrine@outrightvt.org

Ella Kaplan, Program Manager

Ella was born in Moscow and later immigrated with her family to central Connecticut. She received a BA in psychology from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Vermont. Ella is a queer, femme woman who is committed to activism and advocacy through local organizing and collaboration. She has a strong background in diversity education and anti-oppression work, and is thrilled to help suport the incredible strength and resilience of queer youth in Vermont. Contact Ella at ella@outrightvt.org

Melissa Murray, Executive Director

Melissa Murray is a queer mama and a social justice activist. She has worked in a variety of social justice movements, including anti-violence, racial justice, reproductive health, and queer rights. In Ohio, she worked with LGBTQ students at the Ohio State University, and provided sober support to queer women in recovery. Melissa holds a BA in Women’s Studies and a Masters in Social Work, both from the Ohio State University. Outside of work, Melissa is a voracious reader and enjoys volunteering at her daughters’  school. Melissa is excited to bring her talents to Outright Vermont to work with and on behalf of queer youth. Contact Melissa at ed@outrightvt.org

Michel DuBois, Director of Operations

A native of Vermont, Michel has been active in the local queer community on several fronts over the past decade, having served as a volunteer facilitator of RU12’s Coming Out Support Group, Operations Manager for Out in the Mountains of Mountain Pride Media, Inc., Database manager for RU12 and as an active volunteer and member of Faerie Camp Destiny, helping to create a queer-oriented sanctuary on nearly 200 woodland acres in southern Vermont. He is currently treasurer of RFD Press, publishers of RFD Magazine, America’s second-oldest queer publication. After a five year education trip across Europe, he earned a BA in Philosophy from KU Leuven, Belgium, speaks French and Italian.  He also speaks just enough Spanish to keep him out of trouble on his recent winter trips to Central America. opsmgr@outrightvt.org

Saben Littlefield, Education & Statewide Field Manager

Saben is working as the Education & Statewide Field Manager with Outright. Saben’s work involves reaching out to GSAs statewide (to provide guidance and support), working collaboratively with schools to build new GSAs, and provide anti-bullying presentations in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and community settings around the state. Saben is continuing to build on the great work that Ella has done in this role (prior to taking on the Programs Manager role!)  Saben’s background is in youth services as a Residence Director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Saben has been with Outright since the end of August, 2009, and he can be reached at Saben@outrightvt.org