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Anna M. Cognetto (SHE/HER)Anna has been a clinical social worker for the past 39+ years and currently works at VA Hudson Valley. In addition to her role as a social worker, she serves as the LBGT Veterans Care Coordinator and the LGBT Special Emphasis Program Manager for staff. She also teaches several classes at Mount Saint Mary College. Anna was born in Herkimer, NY and received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, with honors, from Cornell University, College of Human Ecology. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Syracuse University and is currently ABD for her Ph.D. in Addictions.
Anna has lived in Dutchess County since 1981. She has presented workshops on Combating Homophobia at the local, state and national level. She is passionate about equality for all and has worked to improve issues within the LBGTQ community. She is also a Reiki Master and teaches mindfulness stress reduction. Anna is excited to be on the Dutchess County Pride Center Board of Directors. Anna loves cats and currently mom to Louie and Lucy! She has 2 (human) grown daughters who are supportive and wonderful! |
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Joshua Davis (HE/HIM) Joshua is very passionate about the problems within his LGBTQ+ community. He struggled with the pains of not being accepted and knows firsthand how it can mentally, emotionally, and physically harm one’s self worth. Part of his struggle was battling unhealthy behaviors, substance abuse, and body dysmorphia previously while in the entertainment industry. Through these experiences, living in his “Truth” was tarnished. Now, he is fighting to love himself again. With his established LGBTQ+ networks, he strives to be a healthy advocate for change and resilience.
Currently, Joshua is an HIV prevention specialist at Hudson Valley Community Services in Poughkeepsie, NY. As an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, he provides educational services and free HIV/STI tests. Joshua also offers a confidential space to talk about safer sex, “hook-up” culture and community, as well as using “dating” to conduct men’s health awareness. Joshua understands that safer sex will remain a challenge through this economic downturn and is increasing his efforts, including working to enroll more people for PrEP. |
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Alexander T. Johns (HE/HIM)Treasurer Alexander is a proud pansexual and transgender man born and raised right here in Dutchess County. Before moving to the Board of Directors, Alexander served as President of the Youth Board, and is continuing to guide the Youth Board as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Youth Board. He is the current Treasurer for Dutchess County Pride Center. Alexander is currently pursuing an accounting degree at Dutchess Community College, which helps him with his role as Treasurer, and he plans to continue his accounting education beyond Dutchess Community College.
Alexander loves animals, in particular dogs and cows. He is an artist, and can often be found doodling in his sketchbook or doing graphic design on a laptop. In fact, he designed the Dutchess County Pride Center’s logo - how cool is that? Alexander is excited by the growth he has seen in Dutchess County Pride Center and is looking forward to seeing where this organization can take him in the future. |
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Shannon Johns (SHE/HER)SecretaryShannon is the married mother of four children, three of which she birthed and one that she was blessed with through marriage. Shannon married her husband almost 20 years ago and has been living in Dutchess County since 1994. She is a graduate of Beacon High School and Dutchess BOCES. Shannon achieved her Associate's Degree in nursing from Dutchess Community College in 2018 and received her BSN in 2020. She has been a nurse for the past 24 years and has the strong desire to help others find comfort in this life. She plans to continue her journey towards helping others by furthering her education to earn a degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
Shannon helped co-found Dutchess County Pride Center to solve a problem for her son, who is transgender and pansexual, as well as herself, as they went through his transition journey together. Dutchess County Pride Center also helped give her daughter the confidence to come out as bisexual. It is her strongest wish that members of the local LGBTQ+ community have this safe space to come together as a family, to feel safe and welcome regardless of gender identity, expression or sexuality, and for allies to show love for and support their LGBTQ+ loved ones. |
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JUDITH LOPEZ (SHE/HER)Judith was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She has been a resident of Dutchess County for almost 13 years. Over the years, she has consistently worked to improve the lives of others, particularly victims of violence and their families. Judith’s passion is simply to help anyone who crosses her path reach their goals and follow their dreams.
Judith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services and is currently earning a Master’s Degree in Social and Public Policy, with an advanced certificate in Community Advocacy. She also serves on the board of The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. |
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Adam Rubinstein (HE/HIM)PresidentAdam is the President and co-founder of Dutchess County Pride Center. Born in the Bronx, he received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Albany, and graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He went on to complete his Residency Program in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at Tulane University. He moved to Dutchess County in 2000 with his wife Karen, and joined the team at Hudson Valley Primary Care, where he continues to care for patients of all ages.
Adam has always been an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. When his son came out as transgender, he was seeking resources locally to help his son and the rest of the family learn how to support him through this transition. Adam quickly found that services for the LGBTQ+ community, and in particular for LGBTQ+ youth, were missing in Dutchess County. Seeing a need in the community, Adam and the other co-founders did what needed to be done to fill that void. In addition to Dutchess County Pride Center, he is also on the Executive Board of the Dutchess County Medical Society, the Medical Advisory Board of the Vassar Haiti Project, and is Assistant Chair of the Department of Medicine at Vassar Hospital. He enjoys music, concerts, and spending time with his wife, son, daughter, and puppy. |
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Jessica Sangurima (SHE/HER)Jessica is a hospitalist physician with Nuvance Health. Before joining Nuvance, she worked for The Institute for Family Health, a non-profit practice, providing medical care and advocacy “from cradle to grave”.
Jessica is a Latina native of Brooklyn but has lived in all five boroughs of New York City, as well as five counties around New York State throughout her lifetime, except for her training in Springfield, MA. As a co-founder of Dutchess County Pride Center, Jessica found the community she was unable to find elsewhere within Dutchess County for her gender non conforming, bisexual child, Tea, and for herself as a parent. In appreciation, she is committed to serve as a member of its amazing board to the best of her ability. She is currently “co-parenting” her Akita puppy with Tea, who is also a member of the Youth Board. |
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William Stevens (HE/HIM)William is an educator in Dutchess County, serving as a band and jazz band director at Union Vale Middle School in the Arlington Central School District since 2004. His educational philosophy is driven by a desire to create inclusive spaces that provide safety and encourages engagement for his students.
William is also active as an orchestra manager serving as the Wind Personnel Manager for the Greater Newburgh Symphony, as well as the General Manager and Wind Personnel Manager for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra. As a professional musician, William has conducted numerous musical productions with the Admiral Players. He is the principal conductor of the Hudson Valley Saxophone Orchestra, guest conductor and principal clarinetist for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, principal clarinetist for the Greater Newburgh Symphony, and has performed in Europe and at Carnegie Hall with the New York Wind Symphony. William lives in Poughkeepsie, NY with his supportive husband Chris and their adorable pug, Jake. |
