Lambda's 31st Annual Scholarship Benefit - Garden Affair

USC L A M BDA LGBTQ+ A LU M N I A SSOCI AT ION

31ST ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT

G A RDEN A FFA IR

On behalf of the USC Lambda Board of Directors, we are so excited to welcome you to our Garden Affair!

We are so thrilled to be here today to celebrate our honorees and all that they have done to support the LGBTQ+ community. They include a USC Trustee who has been a major supporter, an outstanding grad student who exemplifies what it means to be a Lambda Scholar, and an organization that has been an incredible resource for providing USC students with a safe place during their time on campus.

We want to send a special thank you to all members and allies of the LBGTQ+ community who are here today to support USC Lambda and our mission of providing scholarships for current and future students. We couldn’t do it without you. All proceeds from today’s event will go towards our scholarship endowment.

Lastly, I want to offer special thanks to our co-chairs, Peter Barth and Kristen Kavanaugh, for putting together an incredible event!

We hope you all enjoy today’s celebration, and Fight On!

Kyle Lynn ’08 President-Elect USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION AWARDS Trailblazer Award The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Trailblazer Award is presented to a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community who serves as a leader and pioneer; whose personal and professional advocacy and/or activism have successfully furthered the causes of the LGBTQ+ community; and whose innovative ideas and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community at large have paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ activists, allies and advocates to both succeed and thrive.

Community Ally Award The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Community Ally Award is presented to an organization and/or individual for their longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community at large and and for their service and advocacy resulting in the advancement of the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.

Outstanding Student Scholar Award The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association is presented to a current USC Lambda Scholar who has gone above and beyond to advance USC Lambda’s mission in support of USC LGBTQ+ students, alumni and the LGBTQ+ community at large.

THE 2024 USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT The Maybourne Beverly Hills Saturday, April 6 • 2:00 p.m.

PROGRAM

Welcome Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Introduction of Co-Chairs Erika Hartman MFTH ’09 President, USC Lambda Board of Directors

Remarks by Co-Chairs Peter Barth ’07 Kristen Kavanaugh MSW ’12

Presentation of Trailblazer Award Carol L. Folt President, University of Southern California

Lunch Service Presentation of Outstanding Scholar Award Erick Matos MPH ’20 Member, USC Lambda Board of Directors

Mission Moment Peter Barth ’07 Kristen Kavanaugh MSW ’12

Dessert and Coffee Student Performance USC Thornton School of Music

Presentation of Community Ally Award Danielle Harvey ’00, ML ’19 Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations

Closing Remarks Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

TRAILBLAZER AWARD HONOREE David C. Bohnett ’78 (he/him/his)

Member, USC Board of Trustees Chair, David Bohnett Foundation Social Activist and Philanthropist David Bohnett (he/him), a member of the USC Board of Trustees, is a philanthropist and technology entrepreneur committed to effecting positive change through community building and social activism. He serves as chair of the David Bohnett Foundation, and is also the chairman of the Executive Committee of the board of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, vice chairman of the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Lake Agawam Conservancy in Southampton, New York.

Since 1999, the David Bohnett Foundation has provided funding, state-of-the-art technology and technical support to hundreds of innovative organizations and institutions in several primary funding areas: The Fund for Los Angeles, supporting a broad spectrum of arts, educational and civic programs, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LACMA and CicLAvia; LGBTQ-related causes; graduate school leadership programs at the University of Michigan, UCLA, NYU and Harvard; voting rights and registration initiatives; research and public policies to reduce the toll of firearm violence; and animal research and rights.

Grants totaling over $120 million to date have supported the work of a wide range of organizations, including the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, The Wildlife Alliance, the ACLU Foundation, Equality California and the David Bohnett Gay & Lesbian Leadership Fellows program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. The David Bohnett CyberCenters are another major undertaking; currently located at more than 60 LGBTQ centers nationwide, they offer business, educational, research and recreational opportunities to the local gay and lesbian community via access to the internet. One of his most notable gifts to USC endowed and named the USC Bohnett Residential College at USC Village—a community built

around a core ideal of social action through entrepreneurship.

In his professional career, Bohnett has long been a leader in the technology and information services industry, and is founder and managing member of the earlystage technology fund, Baroda Ventures. He also serves on the board of directors of several notable technology companies.

In keeping with his approach to philanthropy, Bohnett has always been involved with businesses that empower individuals, improve lives and build viable communities by connecting like-minded people. In 1994, he founded GeoCities.com, a media and e-commerce company that was once ranked one of the four most trafficked sites on the web. GeoCities became publicly traded on NASDAQ and was acquired by Yahoo!

Inc. in 1999. In a 2007 article, the Wall Street Journal described it as a Facebook prototype and noted, “Back then, entries were known as home pages, not profiles.

But the basic, expressive elements of today’s Facebook and competitor MySpace… were all right there.”

Previously, Bohnett has been an active partner in Xdrive.com, Wireimage.com, Stamps.com and LowerMyBills.com, and has held various positions in the software industry for Legent and Goal Systems. He started his career as a staff consultant with Accenture (then Anderson Consulting) in Los Angeles. His academic credentials include a Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa from USC and Whittier College, an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan, and a BS in business administration, also from USC. Bohnett’s many awards and distinctions include Los Angeles Business Journal’s Technology Leader of the Year, Time Digital’s Top 50 Cyber Elite, and Entrepreneur of the Year for Southern California. Bohnett maintains residences in Los Angeles and New York City.

COMMUNITY ALLY AWARD HONOREE USC LGBTQ+ Student Center In 1970, a coalition of USC students, staff and faculty initiated an organization called the Gay Liberation Forum, which served as the first LGBT social movement for the university. After years of adversity and, at one point, the threat of legal action against the university, the Gay Liberation Forum received recognition from the USC Board of Trustees in 1975. This allowed the organization to conduct meetings on campus and submit requests for funding. It was not until 1985, however, that the Gay and Lesbian Student Union—now known as the Queer and Ally Student Assembly (QuASA)—was approved as a cultural assembly within the USC Program Board. Today, QuASA remains a cultural organization within the university’s programming department.

In 2004, QuASA worked with Vincent Vigil, a graduate advisor from the USC Center for Women and Men, to draft a proposal to create an LGBT department within USC Student Life. This proposal highlighted retention rates, safety concerns, leadership development and mentorship opportunities for LGBT students. USC Student Life approved the proposal and established the LGBT Resource Center (LGBTRC) in 2005—and hired its founding director, Vincent Vigil. Since that time, the LGBTRC has received many accolades, making USC a national leader in LGBT student services and a university of choice for prospective LGBT+ students and their families. Kelby Harrison joined the USC community as center director in 2014 and completed her tenure in 2020; Megan van der Toorn has served as the center’s director since July 2020.

On National Coming Out Day (October 11) in 2020, the LGBT Resource Center officially changed its name to the LGBTQ+ Student Center to better reflect the student community it serves.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD HONOREE Carla Ibarra (she/her/they)

MPH, Keck School of Medicine of USC Carla Ibarra (she/they) is a transgender rights activist, speaker and public health professional with a decade of community-centered work focusing on equity and justice in BIPOC LGBTQIA+ communities.

She is the current and first-ever LGBTQIA+ liaison for the Los Angeles Civil, Human Rights, and Equity Department, leading various LGBTQIA+ initiatives for the department and the city. Before joining the city, Ibarra served as a health program analyst for the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s HIV and STD programs. She also served as a former commissioner of the Los Angeles Transgender Advisory Council.

Ibarra was featured in The Power of Kindness, a documentary featuring Lady Gaga, in honor of World Kindness Day. In May 2022, she was a part of the firstever MTV Mental Health Youth Action Forum, held at the White House. As an advocate for transforming mental health awareness into actual, tangible actions, Ibarra and other young leaders dialogued with President Joe Biden, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and mental health advocate and world-renowned artist Selena Gomez.

Ibarra holds a bachelor’s degree in consular and diplomatic affairs and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Ibarra is a proud transgender Filipina immigrant, born and raised in Metro Manila. She resides in Los Angeles, with her beautiful husband, Arturo, and three awesome cats named Chubs, Meatball and Meatloaf.

CO-CHAIRS

Peter Barth ’07

Chief of Staff and Strategy, Blue Shield of California Foundation

Kristen Kavanaugh MSW ’12 Founder, The Agency Initiative

ENTERTAINMENT USC Thornton School of Music Enjoy some cutting-edge sounds provided by students from the school's vibrant jazz program: Bass - Kai Hagen Drums - Alec Romo Nichols Guitar - Julia Levin Keyboard - Toni Loew Vocals - Katherine Nerro

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mission

The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association’s mission is to connect LGBTQ+ alumni to the university and each other in order to create an enriching and supportive community, award scholarships to deserving USC students and promote education and increased visibility for LGBTQ+ students and alumni.

Officers Erika Hartman MFTH ’09 President Kyle Lynn ’08, MS ’14 President-Elect Justin Gilyani MS ’20 Secretary Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director

Board Members Peter Barth ’07 Christopher Cianci JD ’09 Steven Dunbar ’03 Mario Enriquez MPA ’16 Eva Estrada EdD ’22 Connor Fetting-Smith MFA ’12 Liam Gillen MEd ’05 Tiffany Gruenberg MSW ’14 John Hanna MBA ’00 Tom Henkenius ’00, MS ’19 Kristen Kavanaugh MSW ’12 David “Jax” Kelly MPH ’22 Jeff Knollmiller ’79

James Martinez MCG ’18 Erick Matos MPH ’20 Alysha Menakaya MFA ’20 Kimberly Milliken-Hayden MS ’96 Sharon Pavlovich EdD ’20 Eric Pelletier JD ’16 James “Jay” Prewitt PhD ’23 Kevin Randolph ’07 Maya Richard-Craven ’17 Deidre Strohm MPW ’96 Marco Valadez ’15 James “Jay” Prewitt PhD ’23 Rachel Woodward ’05

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS Elizabeth Calderon PREFERRED PRONOUNS

DEGREE PROGRAM

HOMETOWN

MAJOR

USC SCHOOL

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

she/her/hers

Riverside, CA School of Dramatic Arts

Bachelor of Arts Theatre 2026

CAREER GOAL

Writer/Director

Why Lambda?

"The Lambda scholarship demonstrates how strong we are as a community, but also reminds us of how we need to continue this resilience. With this support, I am emboldened to tell the stories of not just myself but the entire LGBTQIA+ community to ensure our voices are always heard."

Jason Chwa PREFERRED PRONOUNS

DEGREE PROGRAM

HOMETOWN

MAJOR

USC SCHOOL

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

he/him/his

Arcadia, CA Keck School of Medicine

Doctorate

Doctor of Medicine (MD) 2026

CAREER GOAL

Physician

Why Lambda?

“As a first-generation graduate student, LGBTQ+ advocate and aspiring physician, I consider this Lambda scholarship to be immensely significant. It goes beyond providing financial aid for my education; it represents recognition of my commitment to inclusive care and serving marginalized communities, and acknowledges the unique challenges faced by queer individuals in healthcare.”

Carla Ibarra PREFERRED PRONOUNS

DEGREE PROGRAM

HOMETOWN

MAJOR

USC SCHOOL

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

she/her/they

Los Angeles, CA Keck School of Medicine

Master of Public Health Public Health 2024

CAREER GOAL

Public Health and Service

Why Lambda?

“Receiving the USC Lambda scholarship will enable me to further pursue my passion for health equity and justice for my community, particularly Black queer, trans and non-binary communities and communities of color!”

Jaspreet Kaur PREFERRED PRONOUNS

she/her/hers HOMETOWN

Winnetka, CA USC SCHOOL

School of Cinematic Arts DEGREE PROGRAM

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

MAJOR

Screenwriting for Television and Film ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2024

CAREER GOAL

Filmmaker (Director, Writer, Producer, Actress)

Why Lambda?

“Receiving the Lambda scholarship reaffirms that my creative voice as an LGBTQ+, first-generation student is valued. As an undocumented, low-income filmmaker, the scholarship will give me time and resources to focus on creating films that not only feature positive representation, but also push for legislative and social change to uplift underrepresented communities.”

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS Dylan Phung PREFERRED PRONOUNS

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

MINOR

he/him/his

Henderson, NV USC SCHOOLS

Business of Cinematic Arts Photography; Speech-Language and Hearing Professions

Marshall School of Business & School of Cinematic Arts

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

DEGREE PROGRAM

CAREER GOAL

Bachelor of Arts

2024

Entertainment Executive

Why Lambda?

“To me, the Lambda scholarship is a reaffirmation of my core values of diversity and inclusivity. I love the community Lambda fosters and the mission it champions.

Lambda is instrumental to my success at USC, and I'm proud to be a part of its legacy.”

Sawyer Rabin PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him/his HOMETOWN

Newport Beach, CA USC SCHOOL

Thornton School of Music DEGREE PROGRAMS

MAJOR

Popular Music Performance; Music Industry ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2027

CAREER GOAL

Performing Artist, Songwriter

Bachelor of Music; Bachelor of Science

Why Lambda?

“Being selected for the Lambda scholarship allows me to continue to pursue my craft at the highest level and share my story with the world. Authenticity and honesty are at the core of my music and artistry, and songwriting has allowed me to advocate and share my queer identity in the form that is most natural to me.”

Halle Schaffer PREFERRED PRONOUNS

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

MINOR

USC SCHOOL

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

she/her/hers

Carlsbad, CA Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science Entertainment Industry 2024

CAREER GOAL

Entertainment Lawyer

Why Lambda?

“Lambda is important to me because it recognizes me and other queer students at USC, not only for our academic and extracurricular abilities but also the traits that make us authentic. Thank you to Lambda for celebrating LGBTQIA+ young adults by embracing who we are.”

Anthony Slade PREFERRED PRONOUNS

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

MINOR

USC SCHOOL

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

he/him/his

Los Angeles, CA Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Journalism Psychology and Law 2023

CAREER GOAL

Journalist

DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

Why Lambda?

“Queer people have always had to rely on each other and create a community apart from the mainstream. Coming to USC has allowed me to find like-minded, supportive queer people who push me to tell stories that haven't been told before.

Receiving the Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association scholarship is an honor and even more motivation to give back.”

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS Scott Swan PREFERRED PRONOUNS

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

USC SCHOOL

CAREER GOAL

he/him/his

Seattle, WA Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work DEGREE PROGRAM

Doctorate of Social Work

Social Work 2024/2025

Create innovative, humancentered changes within managed care organizations and increase access

Why Lambda?

“The Lambda scholarship is crucial to my academic and personal growth, allowing me to join a community that embraces DEI. As someone from a marginalized background, being part of this community empowers me to reframe my experiences positively and gain self-confidence. Additionally, as an LGBTQIA+ advocate, this scholarship will equip me with valuable skills and knowledge as an advocate.”

Al Weyant-Forbes PREFERRED PRONOUNS

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

USC SCHOOL

CAREER GOAL

he/they/them Syracuse, NY

Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Social Work 2024

Community College Faculty, Counseling

DEGREE PROGRAM

Doctorate of Social Work

Why Lambda?

“The Lambda Scholarship is important to me because it connects me with many others doing incredible work for our communities. This scholarship will aid in my work to identify root issues and develop practical solutions to better support the academic and personal success of trans and non-binary community college students.”

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARSHIPS Since 1994, USC Lambda has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to more than 150 students who, regardless of their gender or sexual identity, demonstrated academic achievement and a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. These scholars have gone on to executive roles in Fortune 500 companies and LGBTQ+ nonprofits.

They have spearheaded research in technology and sociology, produced awardwinning films and argued cases before the United States Supreme Court. They are doctors, educators, artists and activists who inspire our LGBTQ+ student body to see their sexual and gender identities as strengths, not obstacles.

Please consider making a gift in support of the future generations of Trojans who will make a positive impact within the LGBTQ+ community.

Text LAMBDA to 41444 or visit online for more information.

SPECIAL THANKS The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association thanks the sponsors of our 2024 Scholarship Gala: Annenberg Foundation David C. Bohnett Foundation Sysco Corporation USC Alumni Association USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association USC Black Alumni Association USC Credit Union USC Iovine and Young Academy USC Latino Alumni Association

USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION SALUTES

The USC LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Scholarship Benefit and tonight’s honorees for their unwavering commitment to the Trojan Family!

Fight On!

Thank you, David for your legendary leadership in making the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Community a welcoming place for all.

We Love You!

Amy and Connie

Congratulations!

Congratulations to today’s honorees and the

USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association on your

31st Annual Scholarship Benefit

We proudly support the

USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association’s 31st Scholarship Benefit

Congratulations to USC Marshall Alumnus

David C. Bohnett ’78 Thank you for representing the USC Trojan Family with excellence.

Wallis Annenberg AND THE

Annenberg Foundation ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE

USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR

31st Annual Scholarship Benefit CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONOREES

David Bohnett, Carla Ibarra and the USC LGBTQ+ Student Center

ANNENBERG.ORG

Proud to Support the

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Fight on!

B O H N E T T F O U N D AT I O N . O R G Improving Society Through Social Activism

Congratulations to the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association and tonight’s distinguished honorees.

Your efforts on behalf of the University and the USC community are an inspiration to future generations of Trojans.

Fight On!

www.USCcreditunion.org

USC L A M BDA LGBTQ+ A LU M N I A SSOCI AT ION

31ST ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT

G ARDEN AFFAIR the usc alumni association is proud to support usc lambda’s scholarship benefit. congratulations to the honorees! trailblazer award david c. bohnett ’78 outstanding scholar carla ibarra community ally usc lgbtq+ student center we celebrate your service and achievements! nadine watt ma ’94

President, USC Alumni Association Board of Governors

john iino jd ’87

Interim Associate Senior Vice President, Alumni Relations

Support the USC Lambda Endowed Scholarship Fund!

Text LAMBDA to 41444 or scan the QR code below.

Epstein Family Alumni Center 3607 Trousdale Parkway, TCC 305 Los Angeles, CA 90089-3106 (213) 740-0845 lambda@alumnicenter.usc.edu | lambda.usc.edu

@usclambda | #USCLambda