I have always had a strong sense of civic duty instilled into me my fundamentalist born-again Christian parents (yes, they do exist in the UK). My parents also instilled into me the evils of homosexuality, women working outside the home, film, music and associations with non-Christians. Needless to say the latter values didn’t resonate with me!

For over 10 years I volunteered with homeless charities in London. Firstly, for a homeless hostel for young people, where many of the clients had been kicked out of their homes for being gay/trans and then with Crisis, providing accommodation & services for homeless people, which included many ex-military & immigrant clients. In the US I volunteered with Coalition for the Homeless for 4 years. These experiences have given me an incredible insight into the multiple reasons that people end up on the streets and how it really can happen to anyone. I am pretty sure if it had come out whilst still under my parents roof I would have been sent to conversion therapy or ended up on the street.

These days I work in real estate with my lovely wife & manage our vacation rental business, amongst other things.

I am honored to have been asked to join the board and I hope I can contribute to giving these young people a wonderful life affirming

Ryan Fortwendel is an entrepreneur and funder working across environmental, social justice and humanitarian spaces. In his previous career, Ryan was an e-commerce director at fashion label Marc Jacobs, and most recently the founder of Minna, a venture-backed beverage driven by its social mission of inclusion. Ryan is also on the board of The Global Whole Being Fund, a global philanthropic fund that resources Community and Refugee-Led Organizations supporting displaced people in over sixty-five countries. From his experience in these roles, Ryan strives to bring operational and fundraising expertise, unequivocal support for founders, as well as his relationships with other nonprofits. Ryan splits his time between NYC and Provincetown.

Dr. Glenn-Smith is President and CEO for The Learning Center for the Deaf. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, appointed by Senate President Karen Spilka in 2020. She has served as Treasurer, and was elected to her current role as Commission Chairwoman in July of 2022. Prior to joining TLC, Dr. Glenn-Smith worked for Kaleida Health, the largest healthcare system in Western New York, as both a CEO for their joint radiology venture, and, later, as President of Ambulatory Services. Applying her passion for education, she worked for six years at PLS 3rd Learning, an international education technology company, as Chief Operating Officer, and brings extensive experience in the conception, development and execution of strategic and tactical financial, organization and development initiatives. Dr. Glenn-Smith has also held the roles of Chief Administrative Officer for the healthcare management group, Exigence, and Executive Director of Deaf Adult Services, in Buffalo, New York. Sarah grew up in Southern California, earned her Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration at State University of New York at Buffalo, and both a Masters and Doctorate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her wife, children, and too many dogs. 

Michael Goff and Andy Towle have owned and operated one of the few independent gay news sites left, Towleroad.com since 2005. Goff is CEO of their parent company, AskTell Media which represents sites/blogs to advertisers and works with brands as RSVPtown to reach the unique Provincetown audience online, in person, and all the other ways and they have published Ptown Hacks, a summer guide to LGBT beach town for the last 6 years. His first visit to Provincetown in 1990 was perfect, relaxed and in love. Downhill from there.

Michael Goff started working on the editorial side of a few established and start up magazines including Esquire, Smart, Paper and others. He is the founder of Out magazine which he built to the biggest gay title along with out.com. He went on as General Manager of Microsoft's MSN creating their first iteration on the web; and advised and invested in a number of internet startups. A few were successful and even acquired including Blogger, TreeHugger, NowPublic.

An activist with ACTUP NY in 1989-92, he was a founding board member of ACRIA, a community research entity in Manhattan, now part of GMHC, and In 2003-5 he volunteered for Clinton Foundation, leading the team in Haiti Haiti and the Eastern Caribbean States in creating treatment plans for each country.

He likes dogs and long walks in the sun.

Kia Barnes is a stand up comedienne, as well as an advocate for equality and diversity within the LGBTQ community. Her repertoire also includes event production, education, entertainment, and she’s a reputable social media influencer.

A former teacher and researcher, Kia chaired Atlanta Public School’s LGBTQ Taskforce’s Curriculum and Policy Board, and she also sits on the Fulton County District Attorney’s LGBTQ Inclusion Board.
Kia also served on the city’s first LGBTQ Advisory Board under Mayor Keisha Bottoms. More Abut Kia at www.KiaBarnes.com

Lukus Estok brings a passion for advocacy and community-building to his role on the Summer of Sass Executive Board. In 2020, after a decade of visiting Provincetown seasonally, he and his husband made it their home, inspired by its transformative impact as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.

With a background in hospitality, nonprofit advocacy, and strategic messaging honed through the blood-equality movement and work with State Senator Julian Cyr, Lukus is dedicated to supporting queer youth. His work with Summer of Sass reflects his commitment to creating opportunities for self-discovery and belonging in a welcoming and affirming environment.

Kelly Fields is a chef and author of The Good Book of Southern Baking (Lorena Jones Books, 2020). Fields has traveled extensively and worked internationally throughout her career, garnering national recognition at the helm of her former restaurant, Willa Jean. Fields was awarded the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Pastry Chef award in 2019.  In addition, Fields has been featured in Saveur, Bon Appétit, National Geographic and Food & Wine among others. 

In 2016 Eater New Orleans awarded Fields the “Chef of the Year” and “Reader’s Choice" Awards and Dessert Professional Magazine included Fields as one of the “Top Ten Pastry Chefs in North America.”  She was featured in Garden & Gun Magazine's “Most Influential Women of the South," and listed in Southern Living Magazine as one of the “Five Best Kitchen Magicians of the South.”

Fields’ most recent achievement, The Good Book of Southern Baking, has been named one of the best cookbooks of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Bon Appétit, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Garden & Gun, and The LA Times.

more about kelly at www.chefkellyfields.com