Board of Directors

Jay Cafferata is a well-known speaker around the issues of diversity, the LGBT and disability communities. He has a master’s degree in communication from the University of Nevada Reno, as well as a degree in Deaf Studies from Western Nevada College. With over 30 years of experience in adult education, he has also taught at the college, high school and middle school levels. He has been involved in the legislative process creating protections for the disability and SGM communities for more than a few decades.

Hi! I’m Dr. Karen Thiele and I’m a family medicine doctor and assistant professor, practicing at University Health’s Family Medicine Center. I graduated from UNR’s School of Medicine in 2016, and from their family medicine residency in 2019. For the past 6 years I have been enjoying the broad scope of practice of a family doctor and have patients that encompass all ages and stages of life. My passion is providing gender affirming care to gender expansive people of all ages. As an assistant professor, I teach the next generation of student and resident doctors how to provide the same care so that our patients will have lots of doctors to choose from in the future! In my spare time, I'm a devoted Band Mom, an ardent fan of DCI (Drum Corps International), and a supporter of all things related to the marching arts, jazz, orchestra, and wind ensembles. I am addicted to Pilates. In my spare time I love all that the Reno-Tahoe area has to offer, especially anything that gets me onto the waters of Lake Tahoe either by kayak or SUP or Sarah’s boat!

Hi! I'm Sage. I grew up on the east coast, and got my Bachelor's degree in Psychology & Holistic Health and my Master's in Mental Health Counseling in New Jersey. I moved out west for my Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, fell in love with Tahoe, and am now proud to be a local. I'm a full time professor but still see clients; I own Tahoe Therapy, a practice focused on serving the queer and neurodivergent communities. When I'm not working, you can find me doing something fun outdoors, hanging out with my husband and our pups, or practicing yoga.

Laura owns and operates Inclusive Counseling, a 2SLGBTQIA+ centered therapy agency that provides individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and sex therapy. After graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Laura graduated with a Masters in Counseling from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a specialization in Community Mental Health. In addition to their psychotherapy practice, they provide consultation to colleagues, organizations, and medical professionals on best practices for working with the LGBTQIA+ community and co-facilitate the Gender Affirming Care consultation group.

Erin Callister (she/her) is a home-grown Nevadan of Basque heritage, and a medical student graduating in 2025 from the UNR School of Medicine. After graduating, she plans to pursue residency training that focuses on the holistic healthcare of teenagers and adolescents, with a special emphasis on LGBTQ2S+ care and mental health. Before medical school, Erin taught inner-city high school English in Texas. Her teaching background heavily influenced not only her career-change, but also her passion for social justice, allyship, advocacy, and holistic health. She is honored and thrilled to be on the founding Board of Directors for the NV Gender Clinic and to further the mission of providing safe, informed, high-quality healthcare that the LGBTQ2S+ community needs and deserves. In addition to her love for medicine and social justice, Erin enjoys creative writing, local comedy shows, funk and bluegrass music, exploring unique and underrated places, and hiking in the Sierras with her high-energy pup, Georgia.

Born and raised in the culturally rich and geographically rural landscape of New Mexico, I've been deeply influenced by the values of inclusivity. This upbringing has guided my mission to promote equitable healthcare access and improve community-based health outcomes through proactive outreach and education. My personal journey has been marked by encounters with trauma and addiction, experiences that have fueled my commitment to advocating for stronger support systems and increased access to essential resources. The transformative power of comprehensive, evidence-based education, which played a pivotal role in my life, has ignited a profound passion to enhance the quality of education. My focus is on creating pathways for individuals to succeed and thrive, recognizing that education is a key factor in fostering personal and community development. In my early career, I worked with UNR Early Head Start, a program dedicated to school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from low-income families. I later joined the Girl Scouts of Sierra Nevada, where I developed a health and wellness curriculum, focusing on fostering positive growth and well-being among young girls, emphasizing body positivity, confidence, and overall development. Subsequently, fueled by my passion for fitness, I made a transition to become a gym owner. In this role, my primary focus was on providing unwavering support and empowerment to local women as they embarked on their transformative journeys toward becoming the best versions of themselves.

My journey with High Sierra AHEC commenced in 2008 when I assumed the role of program coordinator. Over the years, I have played a pivotal role in developing and nurturing the pathway programs that continue to impact thousands of participants. I became High Sierra AHECs dedicated and proud CEO in 2016. As the CEO of our nonprofit organization, I recognize that our collective success hinges on a diverse skill set within our team. I'm dedicated to optimal resource allocation for maximum impact, financial sustainability, and mission fulfillment. Advocacy is a cornerstone of my work as I strive to influence policies that benefit the health and well being of our community. My leadership encourages growth, fosters valuable partnerships, and creates a harmonious work environment that inspires excellence and team well-being, all while prioritizing investments in a strong company culture that empowers and engages our employees.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I am an enthusiastic adventurer, passionate about activities such as snowboarding, skiing, and spending quality time with my family and friends. My husband, Anthony, and our children, Hudson and Hadley, share in our active engagement with the community, embracing life's adventures and cherishing the valuable lessons we encounter along the way.

Hi, I’m Paul! I am a psychology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, but I’m more likely to be mistaken for a student or involved in a less intellectual career. My biggest wish is for the world to be fair. Everyone should be allowed to live life as their authentic, genuine selves. You can read more about my research interests here: unr.edu/psychology/faculty/paul-kwon. I enjoy photography, hiking, snowshoeing, listening to music, looking at art, being a mixologist, and reading memoirs about people who overcame obstacles and are thriving.

Abbie is a speech-language pathologist who guides people to heal and thrive through empowered communication. She is a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 25 years of experience. Abbie has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northern Illinois University. She has a doctoral degree in Disability Disciplines with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology and a sub-specialization in Language and Literacy from Utah State University. Abbie has written the first manualized intervention book for trans individuals titled “How to Teach Voice and Communication to Transgender Women”. She loves helping trans and non-binary individuals find a voice, verbal communication, and nonverbal communication that matches their identity. She finds her inspiration from being outdoors in the mountains or on the water.

I'm Spencer Trivitt, a medical student in the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Class of 2024. I grew up in Gardnerville, Nevada, and stayed local for both my undergraduate and medical education. I have two dogs, Ozen and Obi, and my wife, Kat, is earning her degree in Veterinary Medicine. I have a passion for the outdoors, and you can find me on any given weekend backcountry skiing, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, or just talking the dog to the park. I'm currently studying to become a pediatrician, and I worked to design the Pediatric Branch of the Nevada Gender Clinic. I've worked with Pediatric Endocrinologists and was inspired by the Gender Diverse pediatric population, so I have committed to providing care for these patients. I am excited to be a part of this team, and looking forward to what the future holds!