Meet Our Advisory Board

The Ithaca Pride Alliance Advisory Board oversees the operations, event planning, finances and coordination of volunteers for all IPA activities. Our board is 100% volunteer-based and comprised of individuals representing our community’s vibrant tapestry of businesses, organizing and performing, collegiate, and family interests.

Interested in joining the Board? We are always interested in connecting. Send us an email with your background and interest.

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  • Hailing from the rural upper Midwest where values of collectivism and community care were instilled by parents and grandparents who were union, co-op, and community leaders, Andrew came to Ithaca in 2018 to pursue a PhD at Cornell. While completing their PhD they got heavily involved in queer organizing in Tompkins County; organizing and performing in drag shows at many venues in the area and collaborating with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance on some initial Pride programing and creating and maintaining the Ithaca Pride Events Calendar for several years. During the shut-down days of the COVID19 pandemic Andrew collaborated with two other queer organizers to put on Flame Night Fever, a digital drag and burlesque show that ran 13 shows in 12 months, giving queer performers a venue to stay active and continue their craft. After the shut down Andrew launched and led Thursgays at The Range (now Thursgays Ithaca) a weekly queer event that now takes place at Lot10. After collaborating with DIA for several years they joined with others to found the Ithaca Pride Alliance in 2023.
    Andrew currently works as a Active Learning Initiative Fellow, and focuses on inclusivity and equity in the classroom, as well as a Diversity Educator, leading trainings and workshops on inclusive pedagogy, queer inclusion, and queer artistic expression. They continue to host and perform in drag events in the area and teach courses about getting into drag and starting performing.

    You can contact Andrew directly at chair@ithacapridealliance.org

A smiling woman wearing heart-shaped red sunglasses, a colorful headscarf, and a rainbow-striped tank top, with a colorful rainbow backdrop. She has tattoos on her hand with letters spelling 'LGBT' and is holding her fist up.

  • Crissi serves as our Co-Chair and is one of the Co-Founders of the Ithaca Pride Alliance. A self described “professional queer” Crissi has worked professionally in LGBTQ+ support and advocacy for nearly a decade.

    After moving to Ithaca to work at Cornell’s LGBT Resource Center, she transitioned to directing Ithaca College’s LGBTQ Center. She is thrilled to use her professional background to serve the Ithaca and Tompkins County Community.

    Crissi is passionate about inclusive language, racial and social justice, and creating community. Outside of queer work, she's an avid foodie, a life-long knitter, and a lover of all things rainbow, sparkle, and unicorns. You can contact Crissi directly at cochair@ithacapridealliance.org

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  • Jillian DeSimone is thrilled to be a part of the Ithaca Pride Alliance in addition to working full time in the Non Profit fundraising space. She currently works at an organization called Public Justice as their Senior Major Gifts Officer, supporting the Development team by focusing on thoughtful relationship management and prospecting processes.

    Prior to that, Jillian was a Major Gifts Officer for City Harvest, the world’s first and largest food rescue organization. In that role, she served as a Co-Chair on the LGBTQ+ affinity group and Anti-Racist affinity group, bringing several unique opportunities around these DEIA initiatives to the organization. Jillian’s other professional experience includes serving as the Annual Fund Manager at Immigration Equality, Development Manager at Ars Nova, and Development Associate at the Public Theater.
    Though she now specializes in Individual Giving and Major Gifts, she brings a background of experience in special events, institutional funding (Corporation, Foundation, Government), and database processes/management to her work.

    You can contact Jillian directly at fundraising@ithacapridealliance.org

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  • Jessica Louise is a community builder and multidisciplinary artist dedicated to creating inclusive spaces rooted in mutual care, equity, and intentional connection. Her work blends creative expression with community organizing to foster environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

    Through collaborative art, storytelling, and shared practice, she nurtures spaces where care, visibility, and belonging can thrive. By way of the Bay Area in California, she now lives in Brooktondale among her many animals and treasured forest.

    You can contact Jessica directly at secretary@ithacapridealliance.org

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  • Kizzie Brown (she/her) has worked as an educator, diversity facilitator, and drag vocalist and performer. She has worked to build connections with diverse communities including refugees, migrant farm workers, and immigrant children through language instruction and outreach.

    Kizzie aims to advance IPA’s efforts to engage with the local LGBTO+ community to foster support, understanding, and inclusion. As a board member, she is excited to collaborate and partner with queer-positive organizations throughout Tompkins County.

    You can contact Kizze directly at member@ithacapridealliance.org

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  • Sarah Brylinsky (she/her) serves as the Member at Large for the Ithaca Pride Alliance Board, focusing on community organizational engagement and volunteer coordination. She brings over 15 years of non-profit management experience, having previously directed national climate and sustainability initiatives for higher education and sat on several boards in the Boston area related to climate resiliency and renewable energy.

    Locally, Sarah spent seven years as Assistant Director of Cornell University's Campus Sustainability Office, leading strategic implementation of the Carbon Neutrality Plan, and served on the City of Ithaca's Mobility Accessibility & Transportation Commission. She holds both Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Ithaca College.

    Sarah is currently Executive Vice President of Climate Impact for a NYC-based firm and runs a private climate resiliency consulting business, as well as managing a 100 acre farm in Danby.
    An avid hiker, she has completed treks worldwide, including Everest Base Camp and extensive mileage in the Andes and Himalayas, and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and foraging.

    Sarah is passionate about connecting community members of all ages with volunteer opportunities that foster joy, fun, and engagement within Ithaca's LGBTQ+ community.

    You can contact Sarah directly at member@ithacapridealliance.org

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  • Biography coming soon!