Board of Directors

About Our Board

Aries Dial (she/her) • Board President

I am a Chicago native that has chosen the PNW to be my home now for the past thirteen years. I'm a Mom to three fur babies Bowie 'BoBo', Gracie, and Buster Dial. My life's work has consisted of working in the private financial sector but I made a change to public service seven years ago. It is my absolute calling to serve and nurture my communities. My identities as a Black transgender woman intersects on the outskirts of the margin and because of that reality, I have learned how to lead with love, compassion and a sense of belonging. My personal philosophy is to do no harm to myself or to others.

I have served in many capacities within affirming faith-based organizations from a Minister of Music to most recently as an Assistant Regional Coordinator within TransSaints of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. I am also a Board of Director for the Lavender Rights project. It is my passion to uplift my Black and Brown siblings as we do this most important work for and within our communities and families.

In my spare time, I'm an avid thrifter, collector of vinyl records and cds, hostess of dinner parties, hiking and gardening. I choose to live on purpose.

David Strong (he/him) • Interim Secretary

"I'm dedicated personally, pastorally, and professionally to working for equality for all people and housing for individuals and families and those affected by HIV/AIDS."

I'm currently a Housing Program Manager for Wellsprings Family Services in Seattle, which provides services to homeless families in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Before this, I served as the Executive Director of AHAT Homecare in Tacoma for 15 years and have worked in nonprofit organizations since 1994 in various capacities.

I serve on the PFLAG Washington State Council, BIPOC Committee of the Washington State LGBT Commission, and have served on various boards for over 20 years.

I serve as an independent Catholic priest who embraces new thought spirituality and as Pastor of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, incorporating African-American spirituality and inclusion in our community.

I enjoy urban hikes, cooking, reading on theology, racial justice, nonprofit work, and fiction. 

Cooper T Sealy (they/them) • Member at Large

I’ve had many job titles over the years from outreach specialist at North Seattle College for their business bachelors degrees currently, to professor in cinema studies at UW, to advisor, education director and non-profit manager in NYC and Ottawa, Canada. Consistently, my great passion is assisting students to find their path forward in life, both personally and professionally. We all need mentors of one form or another, someone who can relate to our experiences and listen as we navigate our next steps. Regardless of the context, essentially that’s what I do. 

It’s my great pleasure to serve as a board member for LRP, where we centre the well-being of BIPOC trans women and femmes, where we engage relationally with each other and honor our life experiences.