Staff Bios
James Giessler
Executive Director
James Giessler has been working in the nonprofit sector for more than a quarter of a century. Trained by the fundraising professionals at The Fundraising School at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, James launched his nonprofit career in Indianapolis in 1993 before moving to the Greater Boston area in 2008.
Over the years, James has been an event planner and director of development for an HIV/AIDS organization, a development writer and director of corporate and foundation relations for a comprehensive university, executive director of a cancer support organization, president and chief development officer for an innovative start-up nonprofit working in the ALS sector, and most recently executive director of a private foundation supporting the performing arts.
An avid walker/hiker, James enjoys getting outside with his four-legged daughter, Tessa (who loves to keep him company in the office while he’s working). James also boasts a wonderful family including two daughters, a son and daughter-in-law, and twin grandsons (all of the two-legged variety). He is delighted, proud, and deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve NAGLY and advance its mission on behalf of GLBTQ+ youth.
Steve Harrington
Executive Director
Steve Harrington began his association with NAGLY in 2009, joining the
Board of Directors as an At-Large member. Soon after he became
chairperson of the Auction Committee and maintained that position through
September 2013, along the way adding the title of Vice President. In July
2014, Steve began his stint as Executive Director, replacing long-time ED
Coco Alinsug, a position he is honored to hold.
A long-time participant in the LGBTQ+ community, Steve has performed with
the Boston Gay Men's Chorus and Denver Gay Men's Chorus; founder and
co-director of the Colorado Athletic Exchange; founding member of the
SoccerRockies; one of only nine people to complete in Gay Games I through
X; inductee in the Boston Gay Basketball League Hall of Fame and National
Gay Basketball Hall of Fame, and recognized as a Hero Among Us by the
Boston Celtics for his work with gay youth and gay sports; columnist for Guide
Magazine, Denver; recipient of the Joan Parker Lifetime Award by North
Shore Pride; is a published author and recognized artist. He also spent 10
years working for JSI Fundraising Systems, designing, training, and testing
fundraising software for non-profits across the country. Earning a B.A. from
Bowdoin College, Steve and his husband, Jeff, live in Lynn with their basset
hound, Gracie, and celebrated more than 30 years together in November. His
retirement is planned for December, 2020.
Tony Leone
Director of Community Services & Engagement
Director of
N-TALE
Tony is the Director of Community Services & Engagement and the Director of N-TALE: Training & Leadership Education. He currently resides in Salem, but he grew up in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 2011. Tony pursued an undergraduate degree at Salem State University, first in criminology and then in Juvenile Psychology. He plans to receive a Master's Degree in Psychology within the next few years. Along with being part of the management team at NAGLY, Tony is also a Therapeutic Support Specialist with Children Friend and Family Services, which is a partner of Justice Resource Institute (JRI).
Whitney M.
Outpatient Clinician
Wmam@jriorg
Whitney joined the NAGLY family in 2019 to bridge the gap between Justice Resource Institute/Children's Friend and Family Services and NAGLY. She is our Outpatient Clinician, here to help provide mental health resources and assisting with any mental health-related concerns that staff and youth have. She holds a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Salem State University and believes that we do not have to struggle in silence.
When she's not working, Whitney likes spending time with her cat and has a quirky hobby of dressing him in costumes! Her most favorite is when he's dressed as a penguin.
Todd Patton
Social Media Director
Webmaster
Manager, Pride Place Market
Todd joined NAGLY as a volunteer in 2015, and eventually settled in the positions of Social Media Director and Webmaster. He holds a Master of Arts in Education from Clark University, a Bachelor of Arts in History from Framingham State University, and a Professional Teaching License from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Todd has over 20 years of experience teaching at the middle and high school levels and considerable experience working with preschool and elementary school students.
Todd lives in Peabody with his husband and their cat. Todd is a huge history buff (with British history being his favorite), an avid anglophile, and a travel blogger.
Syd S.
Peer Leader
Syd is a Peer Leader who primarily helps moderate NAGLY's Transcendence group. He joined NAGLY through a photojournalism project he did during his second semester after transferring to Salem State University in 2019. He's currently studying psychology and photography and has plans of becoming an art therapist in the future. In between working at his job as a residential assistant at college and his positions at NAGLY and North Shore Pride, Syd enjoys practicing electric bass, painting, and DIY-ing thrifted clothes.