Lara Crutsinger-Perry is deputy executive director for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition. Lara has a wide range of responsibilities at NYAC as the lead on all programmatic activities; she is the project director of “You Know Different,” NYAC’s CDC-funded HIV prevention social marketing campaign. Lara joined NYAC in July 2004 and has previously served as director of programs and interim executive director for the organization. Lara is responsible for the supervision and evaluation of all NYAC staff outside the executive office; she also directs the agency’s technical assistance apparatus and heads the training team.

Lara has more than 12 years experience in the HIV/AIDS arena, community organizing and volunteerism; she is also a former AmeriCorps member.

Prior to joining NYAC, Lara served as an associate professor of social work at Tarleton University and assistant director of the Community Services Development Center at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lara holds two master’s degrees – one in social work and the other in church and community ministry. She enjoys being outside, shopping at flea markets and reading mysteries.

Raised in Texas, Lara currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her partner, Beth, and their daughters, Caroline and Cassie. The family also includes a dog, a cat and a hamster!

Kristen Degan joined the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as director of operations in June 2007. Kristen manages all of NYAC’s back office details, which she deeply enjoys as it gives her the opportunity to combine her passion for social justice with her love of keeping things organized.

Kristen is passionate about various public health causes, women’s issues and reproductive rights. Prior to joining NYAC, Kristen worked at Prevention Works!, Washington DC’s needle exchange organization; she currently serves on that agency’s board of directors. Before transitioning into public health work, Kristen worked in the international development consulting world and also was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uzbekistan.

At NYAC, Kristen has the distinction of being the only straight ally on staff. She is particularly committed to making sure that all people are granted equal rights and opportunities, regardless of who they love or how they identify.

Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Vassar College and earned her master’s degree in public health from Columbia University. When she’s not working, Kristen tries to make progress on the never-ending job of home renovations. In her spare time she likes to go hiking and bike riding or spend the afternoon reading. Kristen lives in Washington DC with her partner, Frank and their two cats.

Mark Hill is logistics coordinator for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, responsible for the coordination of training/technical assistance requests for the agency and organizational support for a wide range of programs.

Prior to joining NYAC in October 2005, Mark served as an administrative assistant for AARP. NYAC has provided Mark with his first opportunity to work in the LGBT arena, and he is currently responsible for coordinating various aspects of “You Know Different,” a social marketing campaign designed to encourage LGBT youth of color to get tested for HIV. Mark represents NYAC at regional and national conferences, and has evolved into a crucial member of NYAC’s training team.

Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Ohio State University. Away from the office, Mark enjoys playing the piano, rollerblading and dancing. Mark is a native of Maryland, but currently lives in Washington DC.

Ben Masters is currently a special projects intern for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition; he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.

Ben is assisting with the implementation of NYAC’s Web 2.0 Strategy, updating the agency’s databases and contributing to special projects, such as Pride and NYAC’s Best Practices Summit. Ben will also work to promote the forthcoming second version of “Bending the Mold,” NYAC’s premier resource for transgender youth.

Originally from suburban Philadelphia, Ben currently lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Greg Varnum joined the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as acting executive director in March 2008. As NYAC continues to evolve, Greg is strengthening the organization’s infrastructure and strategic planning in preparation for the acquisition of a permanent executive director. Greg has worked towards reintroducing the “NYAC” brand, reestablishing relationships with partner organizations and contributors, developing NYAC’s board of directors and evaluating NYAC’s programs.

Prior to joining NYAC, Greg served as director of youth initiatives and information technology at the Triangle Foundation, the leading LGBT civil rights, anti-violence and advocacy organization in Michigan.

Greg holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University. He is owner and president of Varnum Enterprises, a non-profit consulting company. Greg has volunteered countless hours for numerous LGBT causes including: NYAC’s National Transgender Review Board; co-chair of the youth engagement subcommittee for the 20th Creating Change conference sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and public policy advisor for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

Greg lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his partner, Bobby, their two dogs and their fish.

Isaiah Webster III is director of communications and special projects for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, responsible for implementing the agency’s Web 2.0 Strategy; managing media relations; development of NYAC’s marketing materials; and overseeing all special projects and collaborative partnerships for the organization.

Prior to joining NYAC in June 2006, Isaiah served as counseling and testing coordinator for NO/AIDS Task Force in New Orleans, Louisiana; he also served as a program manager for Brotherhood, Incorporated in New Orleans, Louisiana. Isaiah oversaw the New Orleans Youth Making A Change (NOYMAC) project, which was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to target young men who have sex with men of color (MSM) for HIV prevention. Prior to that, Isaiah served as a resource/publications consultant for the Southern Louisiana AIDS Coalition (SLAC), which was funded by the Office of Minority Health to provide capacity building and individualized technical assistance to community-based organizations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana that provide HIV prevention services to communities of color.

Isaiah is known to be an energetic and captivating trainer. He is a former member of the Louisiana Department of Education Cadre of Trainers, which provides professional development trainings to educators and community-based professionals throughout Louisiana. Isaiah also served as a trainer of trainers for the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

Isaiah holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of Louisiana.

In this spare time, Isaiah enjoys politics, vacationing and socializing. He is also a passionate football fan, who has never seen fault in his beloved San Francisco 49ers. Though originally from Alexandria, Louisiana, Isaiah currently lives in Washington, D.C.