Dara Adkison (they/them) is the Executive Director of TransOhio, a parent and a nonbinary genderqueer trans-masculine person. They previously served on the TransOhio Board of Directors for two years, where they helped grow and develop the programs TransOhio offers to the community. Their advocacy saw them testifying at the Ohio statehouse so frequently that many thought they lived in Columbus, rather than their home in Cleveland. Before joining TransOhio, they were President of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, founder of the Rural Lorain Precinct Association, and a former candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, running in 2020 as the first out LGBTQIA+ candidate at any level in Huron and Lorain counties. They have been involved with local, state, and national organizations through their legislative advocacy, public speaking, testimony, and educational efforts, helping provide community resources for the past decade.  

Madeline Eckhart, is the Legal Clinics Coordinator. She has been an out and proud trans woman for 15 years, fighting for rights and visibility all the way. Part of the all-transgender band DreamStates, she's eager to provide coordination and assistance for our community, making difficult processes much easier.

James Knapp, Chair (he, him, his) was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. James has been a member of the TransOhio Board of Directors since 2013. A lifelong activist, James first got involved in trans* advocacy in 2002, when he spoke to the Akron Public School Board concerning its policy on gender-variant individuals, dress codes, and bullying. Since that time, he has been involved with a number of student, local, state, and national organizations. He continues to speak and educate others on the complex issues facing the LGBTQ communities, focusing on concerns specific to transgender and gender-variant individuals. He has spoken to students, teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, medical professionals, and attorneys, both at private training and conferences. James has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from The University of Akron and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School.

Carson (they/he) is a proud Ohio native, current Ohio resident and TransOhio board member. They have been involved in LGBTQ+ and trans advocacy at the institutional, local, state, and national levels with a particular focus on health policy and education. Carson is an activist and a lifelong student with the ultimate goal of serving trans patients and fighting for a better healthcare system for all.

Taylor grew up in Englewood, OH, a suburban community outside of Dayton. Taylor attended Miami University and lived in Oxford from 2018-2022, where they graduated holding a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and Public Health, as well as a minor in Community Based Leadership. For the past few years, Taylor has had the pleasure to work within the community as a Harm Reduction Service Coordinator at Caracole.

Outside of the office they facilitate community groups for trans folks in the area, and research-based collage work to highlight queer and trans ancestors. Taylor is passionate about fighting for HIV, harm reduction, and transgender advocacy.

Ari (she/her) is a trans woman currently living in Central Ohio. Originally from a scientific background, she decided to put her energy towards activism after seeing the mass introduction of anti-human rights legislation across the country. In her free time, Ari loves playing video games, tinkering with computers, and exploring nature.

Based in Central Ohio, Eric has been working as the Senior Business Manager at Kaleidoscope Youth Center for a couple of years now, and has actively worked within the LGBTQ+ community for over 5 years. In his free time Eric dabbles in photography. He loves taking pictures of landscapes and enjoys night photography. He is also teaching himself how to DJ.

Kieran (he/they) is many things- a historian, a community fundraiser, a proud husband and dog dad, and a trans man. His advocacy is inspired by the indomitable Lou Sullivan, whose activism paved the way for gay and bisexual trans men today. Kieran is honored to be joining the board of TransOhio and working with and for trans Ohioans.