The Our Fund Foundation Welcomes 10 New Members to Its Board of Directors

WILTON MANORS (January 3, 2025) — The Our Fund Foundation proudly announces the appointment of 10 distinguished members of the community to its board of directors. The new members – Jonathan Barker, Yahaira Barrientos, Jerry Chasen, Naomi Cobb, Colgate Darden, Larry Hyer, Jessica Lam, Marq Mitchell, Joseph Quiñones and Sandra Siegal – bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and diverse perspectives to the foundation as it continues its mission of promoting philanthropy, managing enduring investments and conducting meaningful grant-making to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in South Florida.

“We are honored to welcome these remarkable individuals to our board of directors,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “Their collective experience, leadership, and dedication to our community will be instrumental in helping us effectively enhance the future for South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community.”

• Jonathan Barker, a telecommunications entrepreneur who has spent the past five years in Wilton Manors, actively supporting LGBTQ+ causes. He served nine years on Kentucky’s Blue Grass Community Foundation board, where he held roles on the finance and investment committees and was vice-chair.
• C. Yahaira Barrientos, MSW, is a mental health provider with extensive experience in HIV/AIDS advocacy, substance use, and transgender rights activism. She has served on the Broward Regional HIV/AIDS Planning Council and on various advisory groups, continuing her activism and community work in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
• Jerry Chasen has long championed LGBTQ+ rights and philanthropy. A former estate planning attorney, Chasen has served on the national boards of Lambda Legal and SAGE, as well as on the Miami Foundation’s LGBTQ+ Community Projects Fund Committee, which he chaired for a decade.
• Naomi Ruth Cobb is a cultural anthropologist and founder of Learning Ingenuity Consulting. She has dedicated her career to cultural competency, health disparities and communication training. A co-founder of the Creating Positive Change Foundation, she tirelessly works to address health inequities and empower marginalized communities through education and advocacy.
• Colgate Darden has a decades-long commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy and philanthropy through leadership roles with the National LGBTQ+ Task Force, Urban Environment League Miami and Pridelines. As an architect, he brings a creative and strategic mindset to his community involvement.
• Larry Hyer has been a steadfast supporter of LGBTQ+ organizations and the arts in South Florida for over 20 years. A recipient of the Dick Schwarz Award for Lifetime Achievement at The Our Fund Foundation’s LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards, he’s championed multiple LGBTQ+ nonprofits through strategic philanthropy and served on boards including the Outshine Film Festival.
• Jessica Lam, a Chinese-Cuban-American transwoman, is a renowned advocate for the Gender Diverse Community. She serves as vice president of the Transgender Certification Association, and her company, Jesilam Enterprises, provides group facilitation, keynote speaking, and live music entertainment. Lam has appeared on multiple national programs such as Larry King Live, the Ricki Lake Show, Don Francisco Presenta, and Despierta America.
• Marq Mitchell is the founder and lead steward of Chainless Change, a grassroots organization addressing mass incarceration and social inequities. A distinguished leader, Mitchell has received numerous awards for his advocacy, including the 2021 Race and Justice Award and recognition as a Radical Partners Neighborhood Hero.
• Joseph A. Quiñones is the senior vice president of external affairs at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations, he plays a pivotal role in cultural and community engagement in South Florida. He also serves on several professional committees supporting the arts and LGBTQ+ initiatives.
• Sandra Siegal, CPA, has supported LGBTQ+ rights through her involvement with Lambda Legal’s Fort Lauderdale fundraising efforts. With a career focused on financial guidance and nonprofit advocacy, she champions causes that advance civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide.