jb Beeson is the Deputy Executive Director for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition. jb first came to NYAC as an intern to work on the “Queer the Vote” initiative in the fall of 2008. After coordinating and managing much of NYAC's You Know Different social marketing campaign and the National LGBTQI Young Adult Tobacco Needs Assessment, jb took on the Deputy position in February of 2010.

jb holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Political Science and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer studies. While in school, jb was involved with much of the queer, racial, and economic justice activism and organizing on campus. Her time spent working for the Youth Advocacy and Leadership Institute, an activist education camp for LGBTQ youth, sparked her passion for working for the LGBTQ youth and youth of color. She also led UCSB's Queer Commission and was the Anti-Racism Community intern at the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity during her campus career. jb is a dedicated alumni of the Center for Progressive Leadership's New Leaders Fellow program and continues her work with CPL on leadership development and training.

An implant from the southwest deserts and California beaches, jb likes spending her time exploring Washington, DC and catching up with all the sights and events the city has to offer. jb also enjoys making long to-do lists that include gender play and performance, making art, reading progressive/political anthologies, yoga, and blogging (and checking those things off the lists make her feel even better!).

Lara Crutsinger-Perry, LMSW, MA is program manager for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition. Lara has a wide range of responsibilities at NYAC as a lead on many programmatic activities; she is program manager of "You Know Different," NYAC's CDC-funded and award winning HIV prevention social marketing campaign. Lara joined NYAC in July 2004 and has previously served as director of programs, interim executive director and deputy executive director for the organization.

Lara has more than 12 years experience in the HIV/AIDS arena, community organizing and volunteerism; she is also a former AmeriCorps member.

Prior to joining NYAC, Lara served as an associate professor of social work at Tarleton University and assistant director of the Community Services Development Center at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lara holds two master's degrees – one in social work and the other in church and community ministry. She enjoys being outside, shopping at flea markets and reading mysteries.

Raised in Texas, Lara currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her partner, Beth, and their daughters, Caroline and Cassie. The family also includes two dogs, a cat and a hamster!

Kristen Degan, MPH joined the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as director of operations in June 2007. Kristen manages all of NYAC's back office details, which she deeply enjoys as it gives her the opportunity to combine her passion for social justice with her love of keeping things organized.

Kristen is passionate about various public health causes, women's issues and reproductive rights. Prior to joining NYAC, Kristen worked at Prevention Works!, Washington DC's needle exchange organization; she currently serves on that agency's board of directors. Before transitioning into public health work, Kristen worked in the international development consulting world and also was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uzbekistan.

At NYAC, Kristen has the distinction of being the only straight ally on staff. She is particularly committed to making sure that all people are granted equal rights and opportunities, regardless of who they love or how they identify.

Kristen holds a bachelor's degree in international studies from Vassar College and earned her master's degree in public health from Columbia University. When she's not working, Kristen tries to make progress on the never-ending job of home renovations. In her spare time she likes to go hiking and bike riding or spend the afternoon reading. Kristen lives in Washington DC with her partner, Frank and their two cats.

Shannon Murphy joined the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as a Program Associate in February 2010.   At NYAC, Shannon is responsible for coordinating the organization’s Latin@ regional coalitions, designing and implementing the Latin@ social marketing campaign and providing capacity-building and technical assistance for NYAC’s Latin@ LGBTQ youth-serving partners.  

Prior to NYAC, Shannon worked at LIFT, a national anti-poverty organization based in Washington, DC.  As an Americorps*VISTA member in the Bronx for two years and then the organization’s first regional Northeast staff member, Shannon had the opportunity to recruit and train college students to work one-on-one with low-income individuals in need of social services.  Shannon found working alongside campus leaders and community members to be inspiring, and has since committed her life towards fighting for social justice for disenfranchised communities.    

Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in Sociology as well as Spanish Language, Literature and Linguistics.  Shannon is an avid cross-stitcher and cupcake baker and in her spare time enjoys indulging in both activities.  A recent Brooklyn transplant, Shannon is enjoying getting to know Washington, DC, where she lives with her partner, Carolina.

Gregory Varnum joined the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as acting executive director in March 2008 and was appointed executive director in December 2008. As NYAC continues to evolve, Greg is strengthening the organization's infrastructure and strategic planning. Greg has worked towards reintroducing the “NYAC” brand, reestablishing relationships with partner organizations and contributors, developing NYAC's board of directors and revamping NYAC's programs.

Showing an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, Greg founded his first computer company at the age of thirteen. While his company went on to win local business awards, Greg also pursued his interest in another industry - radio. He became an on-air personality and the youngest commercial radio promotions director in the country before graduating from high school. He went on to put his knowledge of marketing and communications to use as public relations coordinator of Michigan DECA, a fully staffed statewide organization of high school marketing students.

Prior to joining NYAC, Greg served as director of youth initiatives and information technology at the Triangle Foundation, the leading LGBT civil rights, anti-violence and advocacy organization in Michigan. During his time as a LGBTQ youth activist in Michigan, Greg received recognition for his innovative and cost-effective programs, many of which advanced HIV/AIDS awareness, gender, racial, religious and economic equality in addition to their primary focus of LGBT equality. He received national recognition for his work establishing one of the first youth advocacy programs based at a statewide LGBT advocacy organization, advancing policies benefiting LGBTQ students and creating the first national summer camp for LGBTQA youth engaged in community organizing.

Greg holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University. He is owner and president of Varnum Enterprises, a non-profit consulting company. Greg has volunteered countless hours for numerous LGBT causes including: NYAC's National Transgender Review Board; co-chair of the youth engagement subcommittee for the 20th Creating Change conference sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; public policy advisor for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan; and The Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Federation board of directors.

Greg lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his partner, Bobby, their two dogs and their fish.