Lambda's 31st Annual Scholarship Benefit - Garden Affair

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

31ST ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT

GARDEN AFFAIR

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

she/her/hers

HOMETOWN

Riverside, CA

USC SCHOOL

School of Dramatic Arts

DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

MAJOR Theatre

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 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

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Arcadia, CA

USC SCHOOL

Keck School of Medicine

DEGREE PROGRAM

Doctorate

MAJOR

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 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.”

Why Lambda?

Carla Ibarra

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

she/her/they

HOMETOWN

Los Angeles, CA

USC SCHOOL

Keck School of Medicine

DEGREE PROGRAM

Master of Public Health

MAJOR

Public Health

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024

CAREER GOAL

Public Health and Service

“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)

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Screenwriting for Television and Film

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024

CAREER GOAL

Filmmaker (Director, Writer, Producer, Actress)

“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

Why Lambda?

Dylan Phung

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Henderson, NV

USC SCHOOLS

Marshall School of Business & School of Cinematic Arts

DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

MAJOR

Business of Cinematic Arts

MINOR

Photography; Speech-Language and Hearing Professions

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024

CAREER GOAL

Entertainment Executive

“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

Bachelor of Music; Bachelor of Science

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Popular Music Performance; Music Industry

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2027

CAREER GOAL

Performing Artist, Songwriter

“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 she/her/hers

HOMETOWN

Carlsbad, CA

USC SCHOOL

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Political Science

MINOR Entertainment Industry

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024

CAREER GOAL Entertainment Lawyer

“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

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Los Angeles, CA

USC SCHOOL

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

DEGREE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Arts

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Journalism

MINOR

Psychology and Law

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2023

CAREER GOAL Journalist

“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

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Seattle, WA

USC SCHOOL

Suzanne Dworak-Peck

School of Social Work

DEGREE PROGRAM

Doctorate of Social Work

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Social Work

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024/2025

CAREER GOAL

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

“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

he/they/them

HOMETOWN

Syracuse, NY

USC SCHOOL

Suzanne Dworak-Peck

School of Social Work

DEGREE PROGRAM

Doctorate of Social Work

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Social Work

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2024

CAREER GOAL

Community College Faculty, Counseling

“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

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

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

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

31ST ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT GARDEN 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