D'Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director

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D'Arcy Kemnitz has more than 20 years experience working in the nonprofit arena and the social justice movement. In her present position as Executive Director of the LGBT Bar, she organizes the only national, annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) law student Career Fair and Continuing Legal Education Conference.  The National Association for Law Placement presented the Career Fair with its prestigious 2008 Award of Distinction for Diversity. Additionally, Ms. Kemnitz orchestrates collaboration between over 25 affiliated local, state and regional voluntary LGBT bar associations and dozens of LGBT law student associations. The LGBT Bar features eight formal LGBT diversity liaisons to various entities within the American Bar Association, including a position in the House of Delegates. Ms. Kemnitz has spoken at numerous law schools and bar associations across the country and has published in the University of Baltimore Journal of Environmental Law, MCCA’s Diversity & the Bar Magazine, various ABA publications and, most recently, the GP/Solo Magazine on LGBT issues. She has appeared in the media presenting issues of LGBT diversity in the profession at ABC News, The Advocate Magazine, and Time Magazine, among others. Before leading the NLGLA, Ms. Kemnitz was the Executive Director of the Wildlife Advocacy Project and a staff attorney at the Center for Food Safety. Ms. Kemnitz is a distinguished graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the Hamline University School of Law.

Juan Ramon Garcia, Director of Communications

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Juan Ramon Garcia is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). An engineer by training, Juan worked for a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Government of the District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent of Education before joining the LGBT Barin April of 2008.  Juan was a founding member of Caltech PRIDE, the campus’s first LGBT group to include students, faculty and staff.

Kelly Simon, Development Consultant

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Kelly Simon has been actively involved with the LGBT non-profit community for nearly a decade, both as a working professional and volunteer. Prior to joining the National LGBT Bar Association in August 2009, Kelly served as the Director of Development for SMYAL, a Washington, DC-based organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. She has also served as the Events Manager for People For the American Way Foundation and the Director of Development for the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, both located in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Connecticut, Kelly is a graduate of George Mason University and is currently attending the Catholic University of America to earn a Master of Science in Management degree.