Speakers

N. Nathalie Nia Faulk is self described ebony southern belle born in Lafayette, Louisiana and living in New Orleans for the last eight years. Since her childhood, her work has lived at the the intersections of performance, healing justice, individual and organizational development, and community building. They use these competencies as tools for the liberation of all people, centering trans and gender non confirming black and brown people. Currently, they serve as A Human Right Commissioner for the City of New Orleans, Co-Director of Southern Organizer Academy as well as  Co-Director of Last Call Oral History Project. As a Advisory […]

Fania Sipili is a native of American Samoa that found their way to the vast Pacific Northwest through their journey of self-discovery. As one of the case managers for UTOPIA Washington, Fania calls on the experience they have navigating the fluctuating temperatures of the social waters as a free roaming social butterfly. Since moving to Washington in 2014 and joining the UTOPIA Washington circle, they have definitely found themselves in a nurturing environment that fostered fellowship, community, and self-love above all else. Now joining the UTOPIA Washington team at a full-time working capacity, Fania hopes to return the kind act […]

Rickke Mananzala (he/him/his) has been active in grassroots organizing, advocacy, and social justice philanthropy in service of racial, economic, and gender justice movements for more than two decades. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the New York Foundation, which supports community organizing and advocacy towards a more just and inclusive New York City. He previously served as Vice President of Programs at Borealis Philanthropy, a philanthropic intermediary that brings funders together to support leaders, organizations, and grassroots movements in their efforts to build power for transformative change. Rickke’s roots are in grassroots organizing, including serving as an organizer and […]

Chantelle joins Funders for LGBTQ Issues after almost two decades working in the nonprofit sector. Her professional career began in the public health field with a focus on community development and LGBTQ youth. She has worked to address issues of affordable housing and homelessness through transforming community based services to better meet the needs of families living in poverty. Most recently, she has been working in the philanthropic sector as a consultant supporting funders concerned about issues of poverty and economic justice. Chantelle has a proven track record of working with groups tackling tough issues such as poverty, homelessness and […]