Sheldon Aaron, M.S., LCPC (IL), NCC (he/him/his) is Core Faculty in the Department of Counseling and Behavioral Health at William James College in Newton, MA. Sheldon received his master’s in Counseling from Eastern Illinois University and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. He is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. Sheldon also utilizes Level 1 training in Gottman Couples Counseling when working with couples. Sheldon’s research interests include: counseling instructor and student development, advancement of cultural humility and sensitivity when working with students and clients of color that also identify as LGBTGEQIAP+, and the advancement of professional standards of care with these populations. With over nine years of experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community in multiple settings, Sheldon integrates relational cultural and psychodynamic approaches in his work as an educator, advocate, and counselor.

Michelle August, MA, LPC (OH), NCC, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Cincinnati. Her work focuses on addressing systemic barriers to affirming and celebratory mental heath care for LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals, particularly within religious college and university settings. She has been connected to SAIGE since starting her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University, serving as the Graduate Student Representative for the Washington state chapter (WA-SAIGE). She is excited for this opportunity to serve as an Emerging Leader to collaborate in creating a more affirming and empowering environment for LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals within the counseling profession and beyond.

Nicholas Juzdan, MA, LAC is a professional counselor. Storytelling, advocacy, and mental health have always played significant roles in Nicholas Juzdan’s life as he grew up. Juzdan's Syrian father and Palestinian mother shared stories of their history, placing culture at the center of their household. Nick's passion for others has been instrumental in his past marketing and media work, and he aims to further his impact in mental health by collaborating with a diverse group of clients navigating their intersectional identities. He recently graduated from Montclair State University with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During Nick's internship, he led several LGBTQIA+ groups and developed psychoeducational topics, which helped expand his library of curriculum. His dedication to mental health and social change motivates him to develop new projects aimed at impacting the communities he serves.

Pei-Yu Lee (Peggy) is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Seattle University. She has actively participated in social service projects and pursued any educational and extracurricular learning opportunities that related to the counseling profession. While in Taiwan, Peggy specialized in tutoring children with ADHD and ASD. Peggy also volunteered in different countries, immersing herself in various cultures. To broaden her research scope, Peggy is currently focusing on relationships within the LGBTQIAP+ community, including couples and family orientations. This interest has led Peggy to join a research team that specializes in exploring minor stress and resilience among the LGBTQIAP+ population. Peggy also contributes several proposals to upcoming counseling conferences. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Peggy will continue her research and learning process at Seattle University and also explore opportunities in other related counseling professions.