Kimi Barbosa – Executive Director
Kimi Barbosa (she/ella, they/elle) is a queer/pansexual, neurodivergent individual, and proud kin to two hard working parents who immigrated from the beautiful land of Minas Gerias, Brasil. Kimi’s background and lived experiences informs their dedication to challenging oppressive systems, uplifting intersectional identities, and rooting their work in diversity, equity, and belonging (DEB) principles. Kimi is a first generation college graduate and earned an Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sonoma State University where she was recognized with AKD International Sociological Honors and Cum Laude Honors, and then a Master’s in Public Policy from Mills College. Driven by their commitment to social change, Kimi has shared over a decade of their life serving youth and communities of color, and advocating for inclusive policies and practices in the non-profit and public sector. Outside of her work, Kimi takes great joy in raising a cool little human and having family outings.
Email Kimi at kimi@posimages.org
Jessica Carroll – Director of Programs
Jessica (she/her) grew up in the Roseland community of Santa Rosa. After graduating from UC Davis she started her career in non-profits working with youth and young adults in the foster care system, suicide prevention programs, and mental health treatment. After 12 years away, Jessica returned to Sonoma County and immediately reached out to Positive Images knowing that she had the skills, knowledge, and experience to serve the unique needs of the local LGBTQIA+ community. With positivity, warmth, and excitement Jessica hopes to create space at Positive Images (and the greater Sonoma County) where all LGBTQIA+ folks are accepted, respected, valued, and loved. Outside of PI, you can usually find Jessica (and Puppy Frank) on the rugby field!
Email Jessica at jcarroll@posimages.org
Drew Crawford – Program Coordinator
Photo Credit: QT With a Camera
Drew Crawford (he/they), originally hails from Appalachia. Drew studied sociology at West Virginia University before relocating to northern California. There, they embarked on a career in outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Soon after settling in Santa Rosa, Drew sought a sense of community and discovered Positive Images through volunteer work. Drew pursued an elementary teaching credential and dedicated three years to teaching 5th and 6th-grade students in local schools. In his current role as Program Coordinator at PI, Drew fulfills his passion for mentoring, uplifting, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ youth, while also providing education in allyship. When not at PI, Drew can be found indulging in their hobbies, such as playing the guitar, cooking, or hiking with their partner Bobbi and their rescue dogs, Tucker and Skippy.
Email Drew at programs@posimages.org
Marian Mejia – Operations Coordinator
Marian (she/they) is a queer Filipino person who has grown up in the South and East Bay Area, before moving to Sonoma County for school in 2017. Their passions grew in their time in college, primarily focused on intersectionality in the climate and environmental justice space.
In 2019, she began canvassing in Santa Rosa to advocate for the rights and justice of immigrants, housing justice, and environmental justice; an experience that deepened their understanding and perspective on community, access and equity, and the environment in the city.
Guided by their love for earth, community, creativity, and addressing the intersections of the issues that unite us, Marian is excited to offer and expand their skills with Positive Images. Since beginning to work with PI in 2021, they’re hoping to use their passions related to identity and culture to foster more belonging and community for all of Sonoma County’s LGBTQIA+ people. Marian is also on a continuous journey to embody the authenticity and mentorship they wished they had when they were young. Ultimately, their goal is to help uplift Black, Indigenous, and non-white voices while bridging seemingly disparate issues together in order to cultivate stronger equity and solidarity.
When not at Positive Images, Marian is working as Global Crew Director for Earth Guardians, dancing in heels, spending time outside, making art, or watching anime.
Email Marian at operations@posimages.org
Devin Ariel – Translife Coordinator
Devin-Ariel(she/her) is originally from the Midwest, growing up between Chicago and Saint Louis. She proudly identifies as a black woman of the trans experience and has advocated for those within the queer and gender-expansive communities since beginning her journey into womanhood.
Before relocating to Sonoma County in 2018, she collaborated with various non-profits such as Planned Parenthood and NCCJSTL as an educator/facilitator for the healing justices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth. She utilizes the medium of photography as a form of creative expression and a platform to uplift the beauty that is queer folk magic.
She is a small business owner studying psychology at Santa Rosa Junior College and intends to transfer to Sonoma State in 2024 to complete her Bachelor’s Degree.
She feels a personal conviction to serve her communities and is excited to continue this work with PI.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family (given and chosen) and re-learning ancestral-healing practices through studying herbalism and dance medicine.
Berenice Monroy – North Bay LGBTQIA+ Families Coordinator
Berenice (she/they) grew up on unceded Southern Pomo land which is now part of Sonoma County. After graduating from SSU, they started their work in community based organizations which included working with transitional aged youth and families in a Latine community healing program. In the first three years of the Pandemic they helped shape and support a project aimed at providing comprehensive services to Latine and low income communities impacted by COVID-19. Berenice is continuing her work in social services by pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. They are working towards being a licensed clinical social worker to provide therapy with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous POC youth.
Some of the things Berenice spends their time on outside of work are foraging, hiking, going to the gym, studying herbal medicine and sleeping.
Chelsea Rose Kurnick – Chair
Chelsea Rose Kurnick (she/her) is a queer bisexual originally from southern California. She has lived in Sonoma County since October 2017. She knew the area well before moving, as she worked in the wine industry for nearly 12 years. Chelsea spent four years doing public relations and digital marketing for a variety of Sonoma County tourism businesses and organizations, before turning to nonprofit development work. With Jessica Carroll, she co-founded the weekly Friday evening adult LGBTQIA+ peer support group. Chelsea joined the board of Positive Images in 2018.
Email Chelsea at chelsea@posimages.org
Loq Berry – Vice Chair
Loq Berry (they/them) was born and raised in Sonoma County and first learned of Positive Images through their work with SRHS GSA program. After moving to San Francisco in 2005, Loq became part of the greater Bay Area Leather Community and brings that love to their queer community in Sonoma County. Dedicated to community, social justice and Equity, they have worked with the ACLU, Society of Janus and with multiple Sonoma County organizations during the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs fires and brings that experience to the Positive Images Board of Directors.
Email Loq at loq@posimages.org
Sal Andropoulos – Secretary
Sal is a transgender individual and LGBTQIA+ community advocate in Sonoma County. They are dedicated to supporting and uplifting queer, trans, and gender expansive youth and families, and building connections within our LGBTQIA+ community. Sal is active in local efforts to create equitable, safe, and affirming school environments and communities for all through intersectional advocacy as part of the North Bay LGBTQI Families parent leadership group, and as a founding member of Petaluma TIDE. Sal has been involved with Positive Images since 2016, when they became a volunteer mentor. Their professional background includes law practice, legal editing, and working as a Congressional staffer.
Alexis Puerto-Holmes – Board Member
Alexis (she/her/hers) identifies as a Latina, Indigenous, Queer, woman, and community advocate from Oakland, California/Ohlone land. She studied Recreation Administration at Humboldt State University while working as a backpacking and water sport guide. Following college she worked for an LGBTQ youth center, Boy’s and Girls Club within Santa Rosa city schools, and has been loving her career working for Sonoma County Regional Parks for the past 4+ years. In addition to working for parks Alexis loves to stay busy and creates, and sells art through her business: ArtsyQueerLatina along with training dogs for Canine Constitutional.
Alexis loves supporting her LGBTQ+ community through participating in LGBTQ+ clubs, participating in LGBTQ Connection’s youth leadership cohort, and is a leader for GayDar, which creates events for LGBTQ+ individuals within Sonoma County. Furthermore, she began her own side project in 2020 collecting data and presenting nationally regarding information pertaining to how environmental educators can connect with their own LGBTQ+ community along with creating and leading annual programs such as: Hike with Pride and QT’s (Queer and Trans) in the Park.
She is excited to be a part of PI’s board as they are an agency, which supports her goal to be the person her younger self would have needed!
Jake Harpin – Board Member
Jake Harpin (he/him) is a white, pansexual, transgender man. Originally from Massachusetts, Jake has lived in Sonoma County since 2009. Jake works for the Sonoma County Human Services Department’s Upstream Investments Initiative as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Community Resilience Programs Contract Manager supporting an equitable pandemic recovery. He has worked extensively with non-profit agencies and has years of experience advocating for Sonoma County children and families, and adults with developmental disabilities. Outside of his professional life, Jake can be found in his kayak on the Russian River, toes in the sand at the coast, and/or hanging with his kids, partner, dogs and cat.
Jake is brand new to the board in 2022 and is excited to both be a part of PI’s growth and the inevitable growing pains.
Maxwell Pearl – Board Member
Maxwell Pearl received his B.A. in Natural Science and Mathematics from Bennington College and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Case Western Reserve University. He was an HIV/AIDS educator and advocate in the 80s and 90s. Max taught at Hampshire College from 1989 through 1999, as Assistant and Associate Professor of Biology.
Max was a nationally recognized leader in the nonprofit technology field. He was a member of the boards of NTEN, the Nonprofit Technology Network, and of Aspiration. Max has worked with organizations focused on women’s rights, human rights, the environment, and internet freedom. He has been a leader in many non-profit, activist, and religious organizations.
Max has written many articles and reports for scholarly journals, educational and nonprofit audiences, and the public, and is also a multi-genre creative writer.
Alicia LeCompte – Board Member
Photo and bio coming soon!
Javier Morales – Board Member
Photo and bio coming soon!
Sissix – Board Member
Photo and bio coming soon!