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OUR BOARD

Stan J. Sloan, MDiv, MTS
President
he/him
The Reverend Stan J. Sloan is an Episcopal Priest and serves as the Managing Director of Collegiate Church of New York, the nation’s oldest corporation, focused on racial, economic and LGBTQ justice. Prior to Collegiate, Sloan served as the CEO of Family Equality Council, the nation’s organization for LGBTQ families. Stan’s previous experience has been in Queer poverty, serving as the CEO of Chicago House for 16 years. Stan and his husband Jan moved to El Paso in July of 2021 and are excited to be a part of The Center and the broader community.

Tess English
President - Emeritus
she/her
Tess is currently the Chief Operations Officer of the Gulf Stream Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Her long history of service in youth development is anchored by her commitment to equity and opportunity for all.

Sylvia Acosta, PhD
Member-at-Large
she/her
Sylvia is a passionate advocate of LGBTQ+ issues with a wealth of professional experience. She is the former CEO of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region and has decades of experience in development. She has been the Vice Chancellor of Constituent Development and Principal Gifts at UC Irvine and served in leadership roles in Development and Alumni Relations, at UTEP, NMSU, St. Mary's, and Texas Tech.

Izzy Mora
Member-at-Large
he/him
Izzy Mora is a dedicated community organizer and program director with a distinguished career rooted in public service, income development, and strategic program planning. Over the years, Izzy has led impactful initiatives across health, advocacy, and nonprofit sectors, driven by a deep commitment to equity, representation, and community empowerment.
He began his career as Family Support Services Coordinator for the Child Crisis Center, before taking on multiple leadership roles at the Southwest AIDS Committee—including Director of Volunteer Services and Director of HIV Testing and Counseling—where he worked to expand outreach, testing, and care for vulnerable populations. His efforts continued with the American Cancer Society, where he advanced income development strategies, and with the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation, where he served as Director of Marketing and Communications and led the Green House Cancer Resource library system, enhancing access to critical health education.
Izzy’s passion for inclusive health and cultural initiatives extends to his board service with numerous organizations, including AIDS Project El Paso (APEP), La Frontera Film Festival, Polo for AIDS, and Bras for the Cause. He also served as President of the Board for the Border AIDS Partnership, guiding collaborative funding efforts across the U.S.-Mexico border region.
A pioneer in Queer media and outreach, Izzy has been instrumental in the production and coordination of key LGBTQ+ publications, including Back Street, El Callejón, and The T, each serving as vital platforms for health education and cultural storytelling. He played an early role in organizing El Paso’s first Gay Pride events, helping lay the foundation for visibility and celebration of Queer life in the city.
Currently, Izzy serves as the Public Relations Representative for Recovery Guide, a quarterly mental health and addictions publication, and hosts Queer Onda El Paso, a monthly podcast that features voices, stories, and organizations shaping the Queer experience in the Southwest.
Izzy believes that a visible, connected, and well-documented Queer community is essential to the vitality of any city. Through his work, he continues to advocate for the preservation of Queer history, the amplification of LGBTQ+ voices, and the creation of inclusive spaces that foster resilience, opportunity, and pride.

Michael Apodaca
Member-at-Large
he/him
Michael Apodaca is a committed resident of Central El Paso with a strong history of community involvement. He graduated from Austin High School in 1999 and later attended the University of Texas at El Paso.
From 2004 to 2010, Michael represented the El Paso County Democratic Party on the State Democratic Executive Committee in Austin. In 2012, he served as Treasurer of the Texas Democratic Party. His leadership was evident during President Obama’s re-election campaign, where he acted as the State Field Director for Organizing for America in Texas and as the field director for Veronica Escobar’s successful congressional bid in 2018.
In 2022, Michael was elected County Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party, a position he currently holds with enthusiasm and dedication. Additionally, in 2024, he joined the board of the Borderland Rainbow Center to support its mission for the LGBTQ+ community in El Paso.

Nick Muniz
Member-at-Large
he/him
Nick Muñiz is a dedicated public servant and community advocate who currently serves as the Operations Manager and Equal Opportunity Officer for Workforce Solutions Borderplex. A proud El Paso native and graduate of Cathedral High School, Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Mary's University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University, both in San Antonio.
Throughout his career, Nick has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing equity through public service and program development. He has held leadership roles across Texas, including serving as Director for Head Start in Bexar County and working in regulatory compliance for the State of Texas with Child Care Licensing. Upon returning to El Paso in 2016, Nick reconnected with his roots through his family's business, J. Muñiz Contractors, LLC, and later reentered the public sector with roles at the El Paso County Housing Authority and the City of El Paso, where he managed compliance and federal housing programs.
As a gay man and lifelong El Pasoan, Nick is proud to contribute to the center's mission and to help create a more equitable and affirming community for all

Kraig Strickland
Member-at-Large
he/him
Every Queer person deserves to feel safe, heard, and valued. Kraig's previous experience volunteering on The Trevor Project crisis line showed him firsthand how a calm voice can be a lifeline and taught him that real support starts with simply showing up. Today, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Kinective, a wellness-focused company where the focus is on building environments that uplift both staff and members. For him, joining the Borderland Rainbow Center board is a way to extend that same care and purpose into the broader community to protect, empower, and advocate for those who need it most.

Alexsandra Anello
Member-at-Large
she/her
Alexsandra served as the City of El Paso's District 2 Representative for 7 years through early 2024.

Parul Haribhai
Member-at-Large
she/her
Dr. Parul Haribhai, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist with over two decades of outpatient experience. She is also a certified myofascial trigger point therapist certified in dry needling. She is experienced in back pain, neck pain, joint injuries, chronic pain, and much more.

Dina Perez
Member-at-Large
she/her
Dina Perez is an enthusiastic real estate professional driven by the pulse of El Paso's vibrant history. As a devoted mother and community advocate, her commitment to authenticity and acceptance shapes every interaction. She is the El Paso Chapter President of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

Lynn Westbrook
Member-at-Large

Bethanie Lester
Secretary
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