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
Chair
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, nature walks, kayaking, bowling, and billiards.
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, nature walks, kayaking, bowling, and billiards.
Irina Grobman
Secretary
Irina Grobman grew up in Brooklyn, studied theater, and, early in her career, worked in television production. She was very lucky to have grown up, lived, and worked in an environment that was very diverse and inclusive and where living one's true authentic self was never a concern. She certainly recognizes that many people don't have that luxury and many places are not just unwelcoming, but are unsafe for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community. That's why she wanted to join the board of Out Montclair - to be a part of creating safe spaces, building a community, and advocating on behalf of those who may not be able to advocate for themselves.
As a co-owner of West of Hudson, a boutique brokerage in Montclair, NJ, and as a real estate agent, she feels honored to help people find a home that's more than just the four walls, but a community where they can plant their roots and know they will thrive. Irina is very much looking forward to seeing the board, the organization, and the community grow and flourish.
As a co-owner of West of Hudson, a boutique brokerage in Montclair, NJ, and as a real estate agent, she feels honored to help people find a home that's more than just the four walls, but a community where they can plant their roots and know they will thrive. Irina is very much looking forward to seeing the board, the organization, and the community grow and flourish.
Andrew Van Degna
Treasurer
Andrew Van Degna is currently Vice President of Cash Management Services at Fidelity Investments. Andrew has over twenty years of experience in the financial services industry. He and his husband are currently co-chairs for Family Equality's Night at the Pier. Over the years, Andrew has been an active volunteer in NYC with the following nonprofits: Ali Forney Center, Brooklyn Pride Center, Callen Lorde, Swish, and a founding Board Member of the Swish Ally Fund. In 2021, Andrew was selected as Notable LGBTQ Leader and Executive in New York by CRAINS NEW YORK.
Andrew lives with his husband, Xavier, and daughter in Montclair.
Andrew lives with his husband, Xavier, and daughter in Montclair.
William Courson
Board Member
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.
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.
Leslie Farber
Board Member
Leslie Farber is an attorney at law practicing in Montclair, New Jersey, concentrating primarily in the areas of employment law and family law, along with estate planning. Ms. Farber received her law degree in 1991 from Pace University School of Law where she was an editor of the Pace Law Review. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Drew University. She is licensed to practice law in state had federal courts in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and the United States Supreme Court.
Leslie is President of the National Employment Lawyers of Association-New Jersey. She also was the first chairperson of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and currently is a trustee of that Section. She also is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National LGBT Bar Association.
Outside the practice of law, Leslie recently was co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board and currently is a member of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. Personal interests include playing music, golf, and bicycle riding.
Leslie is President of the National Employment Lawyers of Association-New Jersey. She also was the first chairperson of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and currently is a trustee of that Section. She also is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National LGBT Bar Association.
Outside the practice of law, Leslie recently was co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board and currently is a member of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. Personal interests include playing music, golf, and bicycle riding.
Yvette Frazier
Board Member
Yvette is a Montclair mom of 2 school-aged children who attend Montclair Public Schools where she’s volunteered over the years in school PTAs and other parent-led committees, serving in various PTA board positions including PTA President and PTA Council Vice-President. Yvette is a member of the NAACP Education Committee and a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer.
When she’s not working at her day job where she runs clinical trials at a major pharmaceutical company or volunteering somewhere, Yvette enjoys doing DIY projects, gardening, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
When she’s not working at her day job where she runs clinical trials at a major pharmaceutical company or volunteering somewhere, Yvette enjoys doing DIY projects, gardening, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Madeline Gale
Board Member
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 90s.
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 90s.
Madeline Guthrie
Board Member
My name is Madeline Guthrie, and I am a Hispanic American who was born and raised in Jersey City. I have been a resident of Montclair for the past 26 years, living here with my husband Garth Guthrie and our three children.
Over the years, I have realized that there are many families in need, both financially and emotionally, who are not always visible. My husband and I wanted to make a difference, and so in 2014, we started helping local families and individuals. In 2016, we created Reaching Out Montclair (ROM), which is now under the umbrella of the non-profit organization, the Montclair Police Foundation.
Over the years, I have realized that there are many families in need, both financially and emotionally, who are not always visible. My husband and I wanted to make a difference, and so in 2014, we started helping local families and individuals. In 2016, we created Reaching Out Montclair (ROM), which is now under the umbrella of the non-profit organization, the Montclair Police Foundation.
Lenora Horton
Board Member
Lenore Horton is a successful business founder, an acclaimed corporate litigator, a former AMLAW 200 law partner, and trusted advisor to businesses. With over 2 decades of legal experience, she regularly advises nonprofits on corporate governance and business matters, and is the Founder and CEO of an education and coaching business - The Legal Training Studio LLC, and a law firm -- Horton Legal Strategies PLLC. She has been ranked #3 nationally by Black Enterprise magazine as a Top 10 Black Female Attorney You Should Know, been recognized twice by Crain’s New York as a Top 100 Leading Lawyer, and was recognized by the Washington Business Journal for building one of the top 25 LGBTQ-owned businesses in Washington DC in under 3 years.
She holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, and an LL.M. in International Law and Justice, magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law. Lenore is an experienced foster parent, and she lives in Montclair with her partner and their 3 children.
She holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, and an LL.M. in International Law and Justice, magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law. Lenore is an experienced foster parent, and she lives in Montclair with her partner and their 3 children.
Simone Kraus
Board Member
Simone Kraus is a retired Local 274 pipefitter and a lifetime resident of New Jersey and married to her wife Mary for 42 years.She is a 4th Dan in Aikido and a 1st Dan in Iaido. She has long been a practitioner of Chen-style Tai Chi.
An advocate for the transgender community, who loves to educate people through her stories. She is the former VP of Triversity Pride Center in Milford PA. And has led Transgender Day of Remembrance there for the last 7 years and is currently the President and co-founder of Homewardsussex.org
An advocate for the transgender community, who loves to educate people through her stories. She is the former VP of Triversity Pride Center in Milford PA. And has led Transgender Day of Remembrance there for the last 7 years and is currently the President and co-founder of Homewardsussex.org
Cara Parmigiani
Board Member
Cara earned her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and was admitted to the Bars of the States of New Jersey and New York. As a general practitioner/litigator in her own firm she solves a wide variety of problems every day to assist adults and children through our legal system. In particular, she has provided pro-bono legal assistance for women in arranged marriages, as well as represented vulnerable populations of patients in psychiatric facilities.
She has run for both county and local offices while co-founding Morris County Pride, a continuing organization that promotes visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. She is also an exhibiting graphic artist and writer.
She has run for both county and local offices while co-founding Morris County Pride, a continuing organization that promotes visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. She is also an exhibiting graphic artist and writer.
Lois Thompson
Board Member
Lois Thompson has been a real estate veteran for over twenty years. Prior to her career in real estate, Ms. Thompson followed her love of the arts, working with Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks as a member of the NABET/IATSE Unions Grip Department. In 2009, Lois branched out into stand-up comedy; three years later, she began producing her all-women show, Blacklight Comedy Show. In 2018, she was approached by the non-profit Brooklyn Pride organization to produce the comedy portion of the festival. The collaboration was wildly successful and continues to be one of the best-attended events of the festival.
Upon relocating from Brooklyn to Montclair, Lois quickly became involved with the Montclair Mutual Aid Organization, supporting Montclair’s underserved families alongside Aminah Toler and others. Socially, Lois is a member of the USGA-recognized Metropolitan Jewels Ladies Golf Association.
Lois shares her life with her lovely wife of 17 years, Windy Lawrence, General Counsel to a multi-national insurance company, and her incredible six-year-old daughter, Sunny Jean.
Upon relocating from Brooklyn to Montclair, Lois quickly became involved with the Montclair Mutual Aid Organization, supporting Montclair’s underserved families alongside Aminah Toler and others. Socially, Lois is a member of the USGA-recognized Metropolitan Jewels Ladies Golf Association.
Lois shares her life with her lovely wife of 17 years, Windy Lawrence, General Counsel to a multi-national insurance company, and her incredible six-year-old daughter, Sunny Jean.
Xavier Van Degna
Board Member
Xavier Van Degna is the CEO of Designs By Xavier LLC. He works with Interior Designers fabricating custom furniture for commercial, hospitality, and residential projects.
Xavier has been involved in various non profit organizations for Family Equality as Co Chair for Night at the Pier Gala, Brooklyn Community Pride Center as a donor and assistant interior designer for their new HQ in 2022, board member for Drag Story Hour NYC, and volunteer mentor for Ali Forney for their homeless youth center. Xavier lives in Montclair with his husband and daughter.
Marie Cottrell
Executive Director
Marie Cottrell, a visionary leader dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and fostering inclusive communities, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Under her guidance, the organization has expanded its reach and impact, offering vital support services, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives to empower LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
Marie received the 2024 Achievement Award from County Executive of Essex County, Joseph D. DiVincenzo Jr., for her dedication to the LGBT Community, and honored and celebrated by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Essex County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner, Brendan Gill, Gill stated “...Marie and her team have turned Montclair’s annual Pride festival into not only one of the premiere Pride events in the state, but also one of the greatest community festivals in the region. There is not enough to say about her tremendous contribution to our community!”
Marie received the 2024 Achievement Award from County Executive of Essex County, Joseph D. DiVincenzo Jr., for her dedication to the LGBT Community, and honored and celebrated by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Essex County Board of Commissioners and Commissioner, Brendan Gill, Gill stated “...Marie and her team have turned Montclair’s annual Pride festival into not only one of the premiere Pride events in the state, but also one of the greatest community festivals in the region. There is not enough to say about her tremendous contribution to our 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.
