Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network Leadership

The leadership team works together to uphold the mission and purpose of the LGBTQIA Alumni Network, including engaging LGBTQIA Alumni. The team meets quarterly to facilitate the leadership and direction of the network and hold their positions for one year. If you are interested in joining the LGBTQIA Alumni Network leadership team, please contact Hillary Bruce ’08, Coordinator of Alumni Engagement – Affinity Programs, at hbruce@elon.edu.

Lindsey Altvater '09 - President
Greensboro, N.C.
Lindsey loves teaching English at Wheatmore High School where she sponsors Randolph County’s only LGBTQIA student club. When she’s not grading papers or writing lesson plans, Lindsey also enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family, tackling a house project with her wonderful partner, Laura, or playing with their two dogs, Maggie and Harvey.

Rachel Della Valle '05 - Vice President
Durham, N.C.
Rachel is a Multifamily Project Coordinator with a local energy efficiency and solar company, Southern Energy Management. She is passionate about improving the way people make and use energy! Rachel grew this passion for sustainability during her childhood where spent her days playing in the woods and swimming in the ocean of southeastern Massachusetts. Della Valle came down south to attend Elon University where she earned a BS in Environmental Studies. Now, she lives with her partner Lori Cuadrado in an Energy Star and GHBT Green certified home near the West Point on the Eno River, where she can be found running through the woods with their dog, Indy, or playing a lively game of Bananagrams.

Mary Kate Carpenter ‘02 - Communications Co-Chair
Ridley Park, Pa.
Mary Kate works as a registered representative at Swarthmore Financial Services, where she helps her clients develop financial strategies that are both comprehensive and proactive.  Her passions include family, sports, food, relationships, and helping others.  When she isn't working, Mary Kate enjoys hiking as well as playing softball, flag football, and soccer.

Lori Cuadrado '05 - Homecoming & Special Events Co-Chair
Durham, N.C.
Lori is a critical care burn RN at the Jaycee Burn Center ICU at UNC Chapel Hill.  She holds a Biology, BS from Elon Univeristy and a Nursing, BS from UNC Chapel Hill.  She is passionate about her partner, Rachel Della Valle, of 9 years who she met at Elon. She also loves the outdoors, their dog "Indy," stand up comedy, and entertaining friends and family in their home.

Kiticia Hayes '98 - Communications Co-Chair
Greensboro, N.C.
Kaye Hayes is a native North Carolinian who now resides in Greensboro, a metropolitan area of the state. Hayes graduated in 1998 from Elon University’s School of Communications. She has worked nearly 10 years in print media, gaining skills in writing, reporting, editing, research and design. Hayes is a freelance writer and contributes to several online publications and blogs. She currently works with students at North Carolina A&T State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Chris Hood '08 - Outreach & Networking Co-Chair
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Chris works in Marketing for the Innerwear division of Hanesbrands Inc. and in the fall of 2012 will begin his MBA in the evening program at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Outside of work he enjoys running, playing golf, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Matthew Lardie '06 - Outreach & Networking Co-Chair
Durham, N.C.
Matt lives in Durham, NC where he is a cheesemaker and freelance food writer. He also organizes local food events and is active in the sustainable agriculture community. When not thinking about, talking about, or eating food he enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time at home with his husband and pets.

Darris Means '05 - Awards & Recognition Chair
Mebane, N.C.
Darris is the Associate Director of Elon University’s Elon Academy, a college access and success program for local high school and college students. Darris is also a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University; he is pursuing his degree in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with a concentration in higher education.

Julie Messina '99 - Outreach & Networking Co-Chair
Durham, N.C.
Julie has a Master's in Health Promotion and works in Raleigh as a health educator. After eight years in Europe, Julie is excited to be back in North Carolina and working with other alumni to build the LGBTQIA Alumni Association.  Julie lives in Durham with her husband and enjoys traveling, sudoku, cooking and running.

John Pickett '03 - Outreach & Networking Co-Chair
Burlington, NC.
John Pickett hails from the farming community of Silk Hope, NC. He graduated in 2003 from Elon University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a bachelor's degree in Special Education (K-12). John joined the staff of the Elon Academy at Elon University in 2011. His primary responsibility within the program is to provide comprehensive and cohesive support for scholars and their families during the academic year and during the summer residential program. John also enjoys mentoring the many Elon University students who work within the Elon Academy. From 2003 until joining the Elon Academy staff, John worked in Alamance and Orange county public schools as both a teacher and co-director of an award-winning after-school tutoring program. In 2007 he was one of Alamance County's top finalists for county teacher of the year. He has also been a leader in the origins of the "Proud Apples" social group which is a network of LGBTQIA Educators in the Triangle. John is excited to be a part of Elon's first year of the LGBTQIA Alumni Network and is proud to be co-chair of the LGBTQIA Outreach & Networking Committee.

Brian O’Shea '04 - Scholarship & Philanthropy Chair
New York, NY
Brian works in human resources for American Express and holds a master's degree in liberal studies from Wake Forest University.  Before moving to New York City in November 2011, he served as a member of the student life staff at Elon for nearly seven years.  When not at work, Brian enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, traveling, seeing theatre and checking out all that New York has to offer.