Mission, Board, & Team
Our Mission
Out Montclair is a nonprofit organization created to raise awareness and provide support and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community of Montclair and surrounding area. We offer educational resources and create activities and events to promote inclusivity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary and gender-fluid youth and adults. Additionally, we are a safe space where our community and our allies can come together and celebrate who we are.
Board of Trustees
Reubena Spence
Reubena Spence is a dedicated Co-Founder of Out Montclair, where she oversees the organization’s 50+ programming. She also serves as a co-chair of the NJPAC LGBTQ+ Advisory Council for Community Engagement alongside her wife, Madeline Gale. As an active Montclair Civil Rights Commissioner, board member of Montclair Mutual Aid, and a key force behind the inaugural Newark LGBTQ+ BiPOC Film Festival, Reubena is deeply committed to her community.
Reubena is also a talented graphic artist and scroll designer at her company, Inkcurves Design. Her diverse skill set, honed through her background in Human Resources and her academic achievements including a BA in Psychology/Journalism from Douglass College, Rutgers University, and a Master’s in Business and Marketing from Richard Stockton University, NJ, make her an invaluable asset to the organizations she collaborates with. In her leisure time, Reubena loves traveling, fine dining, art exploration, calligraphy, nature walks, kayaking, bowling, and billiards.
William Courson
Bill Courson is a retired health educator, and has been active in the movement for LGBTQ+ equality since his high school days (as well as movements promoting racial and women’s equality and the anti-war movement) and helped to found gay and lesbian student organizations at Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University in the 1970s.
Bill moved to Montclair in 1978. and is a member of Montclair‘s First Congregational Church. He is a member of Garden State Equality’s Older Adults Council, is active in a variety of professional, philanthropic and civic organizations, and is one of the founding Board members of Out Montclair.
Madeline Gale
Madeline has been actively leading and participating in civil rights struggles for most of her life. She is a Co-Founder and Board Member of Out Montclair, an NJPAC LGBTQ+ Advisory Council Co-Chair, and is on the Newark LGBTQ+ Film Festival Committee and the Garden State Equality Older Adults Council. She is a Montclair Civil Rights Commissioner and is a Board Member of the Montclair NAACP Executive Committee, and Montclair Mutual Aid.
She has been an Early Childhood and Special Education Teacher, and a Reading Specialist for most of her career.
Madeline was also part of the planning committee for the Boston, MA contingents in the 1993 & 2000 LBGTQ Marches On Washington, and for the 1992 & 1995 National Organization for Women’s marches in DC. She was also an active organizer of Boston ACT UP demonstrations in the 1980s and 90
Donnamarie Lynch, MBA, MHA, PhD
Donnamarie is the President & CEO of Broadway House for Continuing Care, the nation’s leading long-term care facility for people with HIV/AIDS, as well as those recovering from acute illnesses and injuries. Mission is important to Donnamarie Lynch, who best describes herself as a servant leader. Before her appointment as President and CEO of Broadway House for Continuing Care, Dr. Lynch served as Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the nursing and social services departments. She is a leader who drives the patient care experience to a new level focused on ensuring that everyone in the community has access to quality care.
Dr. Lynch has earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership and currently lives and works in Newark, NJ.
Edward Nicholas
Edward Nicholas is a longtime resident of Montclair, NJ. A graduate of Virginia State University, Mr. Nicholas is noted for his community work throughout Montclair and Essex County. He brings his skills as an educator, performing/recording artist, and MC/Host to share and expand programming and events.
He is one of the founders of the Weequahic Park House Music Festival, Newark, NJ, and has helped in establishing Musical Theatre in the Park with Vanguard Theatre in Montclair, NJ, at Glenfield Park. Mr. Nicholas has been a featured artist, appearing in Out Montclair’s Annual Pride Festival in previous years, and in 2025 he was co-host for that year’s event.
Mr. Nicholas can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Brian Tofte-Schumacher
Brian is a web developer and IT leader with prior experience working with nonprofits in marketing and communications, international LGBTQIA+ human rights advocacy, and through consulting with a digital agency. He lives in West Orange with his husband Tom André Bardwell and enjoys attending drag shows, reading, cooking, and amateur photography.
Originally from Spokane, WA, Brian holds a B.A. in business administration with a concentration in management information systems from Western Washington University. Helping to foster an inclusive and equitable LGBTQIA+ community in Montclair and the surrounding areas is important to Brian–the friendly reputation this area has was a big factor in choosing to relocate here.
Montclair Pride
Lauren Pennington
Lauren lives in Bloomfield with her wife, Jen (Montclair Pride Co-Director), and their two beloved Bernese Mountain Dogs – Rye & Holly. She is passionate about bringing people together and creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, celebrated, and supported. Through her work with Montclair Pride, Lauren is proud to help foster connection, visibility, and belonging throughout Montclair and the surrounding communities. Professionally, she leads entertainment productions around the world as Vice President of Sea Production at RWS Global, combining creativity, collaboration, and a love of creating memorable experiences.
Jen Sickles
Jen lives in Bloomfield with her wife, Lauren Pennington (Montclair Pride Co-Director), and their Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rye and Holly, who keep life full of adventure. Through her work with Montclair Pride, Jen is proud to support LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, and belonging throughout Montclair and the surrounding communities.
Professionally, Jen is a Technical Director at RWS Global, where she leads the technical delivery of live entertainment, productions, and immersive experiences. She is excited to bring her perspective, expertise, and ideas to Out Montclair and help advance its mission of supporting and uplifting the local LGBTQ+ community.
Ashley Brown-Davis
Ashley brings a sharp eye for organization and a genuine love of bringing people and businesses together to her work with Out Montclair. As the owner of two service-based businesses, Ashley knows firsthand what it takes to build strong vendor relationships, coordinate logistics, and deliver a great experience from the ground up.
With a background spanning planning, facilities, and operations, Ashley enjoys the behind-the-scenes work that makes events run smoothly — connecting with vendors, solving problems, and making sure every detail is covered. She loves watching it all come together behind the scenes, but is just as happy attending events and supporting the groups she works with. Her collaborative approach and commitment to community make her a valuable part of Out Montclair’s team and its mission to create meaningful experiences for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Out Montclair Interns and Volunteers
Kyla Carter
Kyla Carter brings a creative and strategic approach to social media and marketing at Out Montclair. With a B.S. in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kyla has experience in social media strategy, content creation, SEO copywriting, brand development, audience research, and trend analysis.
Her background combines creativity with a strong understanding of how thoughtful storytelling and engaging digital content can build visibility and strengthen community connections. At Out Montclair, Kyla helps expand our social media presence, develop engaging content, and share the organization’s programs, events, and mission with a growing audience.
Paige "Kishi" Lopez
Kishi brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for bringing people together to their work with Out Montclair. With a background in communications, performing arts, community engagement, and advocacy, Kishi enjoys creating welcoming spaces where people can connect, participate, and feel a sense of belonging.
Currently pursuing a B.A. in English at Montclair State University, Kishi brings experience in event and stage production, youth programming, public outreach, and collaborative projects. Their creativity, strong communication skills, and commitment to inclusion make them a wonderful part of Out Montclair’s Events Team and its work to build meaningful experiences for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Team Out Montclair
- Marie Cottrell – Executive Director
- Rafael Cuello – Creative Director
- Vera Sheps Scholl – Director of Communications
- Sara Haefeli – Social Media
- Kevin Caufield & Caroline Dadas Volunteer Coordinators
- Ann Bolser & Kevin Caufield – Grants
- Casey Coleman – Merchandise Program
- Kyle Lofland – Director of Programming
- Cathi Flanagan – Accountant
- Sharee Harrison – Vendor Coordinator
- Alex Brosseau – Out Montclair Teens Programming
- Madeline Gale, Reubena Spence, & Bill Courson – Out Montclair 50+ Programming
- Marie Cottrell – Montclair Pride, Trans, and Family Programming
Media and Partnership Inquiries
- Please contact Vera Scheps Scholl (vera@outmontclair.org)
- All other inquiries: Please contact info@outmontclair.org.
