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The TYFCOllective is a curated network of highly sought-after storytellers, educators, performers, and innovators who use the lens of their expertise to explore belonging. Our speakers are passionate about seamlessly weaving their stories, experiences, and knowledge into each interaction which inevitably sparks belonging, inspires change, and creates meaningful impact.

 

From keynotes to workshops and beyond, the Collective partners with organizations to craft tailored experiences that resonate long after the event ends.

Meet our Network

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Abdi Nazemian is an author, screenwriter, and film and TV producer. He has received two Lambda Literary Awards, a Stonewall Award, and a Stonewall Honor, among other accolades.

Abdi Nazemian

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He/Him

Specialties:

Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Identity & Belonging, Writing

Areas of Expertise:

Languages: Fluent in English, French, Persian, Spanish. Proficient in Portuguese and Italian.

Bobby is a Brooklyn-based writer, performer and creative. He hosts KWEENDOM an all-LGBTQ+ comedy show, and he edited Welcome to Kweendom, a book of essays from LGBTQ+ writers with an introduction by actor Alan Cumming.

Bobby Hankinson

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All Pronouns

Specialties:

Leadership, Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Writing, Media & Publishing, Performing Arts & Creative Expression

Areas of Expertise:

I do workshops on public speaking, creativity and brainstorming. I write and perform.

Brian Derrick is a political strategist, activist, and tech entrepreneur who is revolutionizing civic engagement through his groundbreaking company, Oath. Prior to founding Oath, he campaigned for progressive candidates and causes nationally..

Brian Derrick

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He/Him

Specialties:

Leadership, Social Justice & Activism, Coaching & Entrepreneurship

Areas of Expertise:

Fundraising, Comms, Content/Social Media

Carmen LoBue (they/them) is an African American Filipino filmmaker, writer, and actor with a passion for storytelling that is uplifting and empowering. LoBue directed the coming of age dramedy web series Cheer Up Charlie, the award -winning film Pink & Blue Executive Produced by Silas Howard (Transparent, Pose,) and Hulu’s Initiative 29: Your Attention Please. Their episode, “Your Attention Please: Tao Leigh Goffe” is now streaming. LoBue is currently directing Miss Peppermint’s Girl Like Me tv special on OUTTV and is starring as “DRE” on season 3 of The L Word: Generation Q (showtime). Bue's early recognition includes being named a 2018 New Legacy Maker Honoree by the Tribeca Disruptor Foundation, Paper Magazine's "Paper Predictions: 100 people taking over 2019. They've collaborated with organizations Everytown for gun safety, The disruptors 5050x2020, Time's Up, Paths, New Alternatives, One Fair Wage, and more! They are a proud member of The Actor's Center & The Alliance of Women Directors. Branded Directing: Converse, Ulta Beauty, Skillshare, Upcoming Narrative work: 808. Jay The Time Traveler. LoBue is currently a Sacred Artist in Residence at Kripalu.

Carmen LoBue

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Bue/they/them

Specialties:

Identity & Belonging, Relationships & Love, Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Social Justice & Activism, Spirituality and Transformation, Mental Health & Healing

Areas of Expertise:

Building coalition between communities, LGBTQIA & Gender Identity, Filmmaking, Mentorship, Spirituality & Faith

David Blasher (he/him) is a musician, actor, filmmaker, attorney, and nonprofit leader. As a liminal messenger, he shares learnings, tools, and stories across communities. Executive Director at the MAP Fund; Cellist in the band Sky-Pony; B.A. in Theater Studies from Yale University.

David Blasher

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He/Him/His

Specialties:

Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Areas of Expertise:

Cello, Philosophical Conversations, Gardening

Dubbs Weinblatt (they/he) is a nonbinary, trans sober, educator, facilitator, speaker, storyteller, podcaster, producer consultant and the Founder/CEO of Thank You For Coming Out. They are also the Social Justice Manager at a progressive synagogue in NYC.

Dubbs Weinblatt

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They/He

Specialties:

Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Identity & Belonging, Leadership, Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Social Justice & Activism, Mental Health & Healing, Sexuality, Spirituality and Transformation

Areas of Expertise:

Producing, Community Building, Belonging, Storytelling, Improv, LGBTQIA+ Identity, Entrepreneurship, Finding Your Purpose, Podcasting

Ean Ashford is a Senior Youth Counselor and aspiring therapist who advocates for mental health through various channels. Ean enjoys traveling, reading, discussing politics, and spending time with his dogs and loved ones.

Ean Ashford

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He/Him

Specialties:

Mental Health & Healing

Areas of Expertise:

groups/workshop facilitator

Geoffrey Kidwell is an actor in NYC. He has had the great fortune of performing on Broadway and around the country - often wearing really fabulous wigs.

Geoffrey Kidwell

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He/Him/His

Specialties:

Identity & Belonging, Performing Arts & Creative Expression

Areas of Expertise:

acting, singing, dancing, training, walking on my hands

Jeffrey Marsh’s international bestseller, ‘How To Be You,’ was featured by Oprah. Jeffrey’s spiritual teachings on social media currently have over three billion views. Jeffrey was the first out nonbinary person to appear on national television with their viral Newsmax interview in 2016. Jeffrey’s follow-up bestseller, ‘Take Your Own Advice,’ was endorsed by Alyssa Milano and received Apple Books’ coveted Best Book award. Jeffrey has been a teacher and student of Zen for 25 years and has taught at the UN, for the Elizabeth Warren campaign, and in the pages of TIME, the New York Times, and Rolling Stone. Jeffrey has taught on several celeb podcasts, including with Alyssa Milano and LeAnn Rimes.

Jeffrey Marsh

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They/Them

Specialties:

Spirituality and Transformation, Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Mental Health & Healing

Areas of Expertise:

Social Justice/Activism, Belonging, DEI/DEIB, JEDI, Leadership, LGBTQIA+ Mental Health, Writing, Nonbinary-identity

JessAnn is a proud Co-Producer with TYFCO and enjoys facilitating, adventuring, and collaborating with fear all over the world. JessAnn is an extremely dedicated pet parent, lover of libraries, and supporter of public programming.

JessAnn Smith, LMSW

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She/Any

Specialties:

Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Mental Health & Healing, Relationships & Love, Social Justice & Activism

Areas of Expertise:

Educational Consulting, Video and Event Producing, Music, Improv, Intimacy Coordination, Creative Problem-Solving

Lauren Patten is an acclaimed actor and singer known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen. She was the breakout star of the Jagged Little Pill, the acclaimed Broadway show with music by Alanis Morissette. Her rendition of “You Oughta Know” earned her a mid-show standing ovation, and she won Tony and Grammy Awards for her performance. She made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning musical Fun Home, and most recently starred off-Broadway in the original rock musical The Lonely Few (MCC). Other theatre credits include the off-Broadway productions of The Wolves and Days of Rage, and the original Deaf West production of Spring Awakening in Los Angeles. On television, Lauren is known for her work as Rachel Witten on Blue Bloods (CBS). She starred in the Hulu murder mystery Death and Other Details, and is also featured on Succession (HBO) and The Good Fight (Paramount+). As a musician, Lauren has performed at a variety of iconic New York venues, including Sony Hall, Tavern on the Green, Mercury Lounge, and Rockwood Music Hall. She has also held concerts at A.C.T. of CT in Ridgefield and the Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University. Her EP covers, featuring innovative arrangements of rock, blues, and pop classics, is available on all streaming platforms. She was featured on Rolling Stone’s website for her cover of Ariana Grande’s “God is a Woman.” @pattenlauren

Lauren Patten

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She/Her

Specialties:

Mental Health & Healing, Identity & Belonging, Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Relationships & Love, Sexuality, Social Justice & Activism, Writing

Areas of Expertise:

Acting/Singing/Performing Arts; Queerness, Bisexuality, Trans Allyship; Finding Your Voice; Community and Belonging; Writing

Melissa Shaw offers a multidimensional consultancy based in DEIB, Emotional Intelligence, the power of play, and the Arts. She is a certified Ethno-Religious mediator, Restorative Justice practitioner, Interfaith Minister and Public Speaker

Melissa Shaw

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She/They

Specialties:

Leadership, Mental Health & Healing, Coaching & Entrepreneurship, Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Sexuality, Social Justice & Activism, Spirituality and Transformation

Areas of Expertise:

Improv, Restorative Justice, Theater of the Oppressed techniques, Mediation,

Miles Borrero is a yoga and mindfulness teacher of 20 years and author of Beautiful Monster: A Becoming. His teachings make ancient practices accessible to all. As a queer trans Latine person, he inspires all kinds of people to live closer to their purpose.

Miles Borrero

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He, They, We

Specialties:

Mental Health & Healing, Identity & Belonging, Performing Arts & Creative Expression, Sexuality, Spirituality and Transformation, Relationships & Love

Areas of Expertise:

Yoga and Meditation, Workshop Facilitation, Music, Writing, Bilingual in Spanish and English

Tawny Lara has reported on the sober curious and non-alcoholic beverage industry since 2015. She is the author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze and co-author of The Sobriety Deck. She co-founded the non-alc botanical spirit (parentheses) and co-hosts the Recovery Rocks podcast. She teaches virtual courses about writing, publishing, media strategy, and DIY PR.

Tawny Lara

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She/Her

Specialties:

Writing, Media & Publishing

Areas of Expertise:

Teaching, Making heavy shit funny, inclusive approach to mental health and substance use disorder, internet literacy, queer-informed approach to sobriety, sex and dating

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