Staff
Jenny (JHD) Heikkila Díaz
Acting Director of Programs & Operations
JHD was born and raised in Los Ángeles. She is an educator and learning facilitator, a New Havener, and most importantly, a parent. She is committed to intersectional and intergenerational lifelong learning, community building, and collaboration to co-create a more joyful and just world with everyone.
Sam Ernest
Administrative Coordinator
Samuel Ernest lives in Wooster Square with his hound, Eva. He is a writer and the founding publisher and editor in chief of Homodoxy, a publishing company for gay/queer/trans theology and literature. He has a PhD in religious studies from Yale University and is a lecturer in theology at Yale Divinity School.
Chris Freimuth
Acting Director of External Affairs
In July of 2026, board member Chris Freimuth joined NHPC as Acting Director of External Affairs. Chris brings nearly twenty years of entrepreneurial acumen and leadership to the Center. Originally from Connecticut, Chris moved to New Haven in 2022 to pursue a Master's of Divinity at Yale Divinity School, and fell in love with the city. Coalition- and community building come naturally to Chris: since joining the Center, he has brought collaborators, supporters, donors, and board candidates to the table, as well as working to revive and strengthen existing relationships between the Center and community partners.
Board of Directors
Erika Adarkwa
Erica is the Assistant Director of Restorative Practices at Yale, where she supports program development and innovation. She is a dedicated student of Black feminist practice and is passionate about building and contributing to visions of care that center our wholeness and dignity.
Prior to joining Restorative Practices, she served as an Assistant Chaplain at Yale and supported students across the university as they made connections between their values and practice. Erica is excited to join the Pride Center Board and support new and emerging forms of community connection and care.
Jyreek J. Ellerbe
Jyreek J. Ellerbe is a nonprofit leader with experience in operations, human resources, fundraising, and community service, currently serving as Director of Operations and Human Resources at South Park Inn in Hartford. He is passionate about strengthening organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community and is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where people feel supported, valued, and connected.
Emily Raymond
Emily Raymond is a librarian who is passionate about the right to read. She is excited to bring her outreach experience to the Pride Center and help to facilitate the connections in our community.
John Stachniewicz
John has over thirty years’ experience in finance, compliance, and administration. Currently, he is the lead administrator at Yale Divinity School and the senior director for the Yale Schools of Architecture, Art, Music, and the David Geffen School of Drama. He serves as the Treasurer on the Columbus House board of directors and serves on the advisory council for Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School. He is honored to be part of the rebuilding of the Pride Center.
Frank Suarez
Frank Suarez is President & CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation and an experienced executive with a background in organizational leadership, marketing, communications, and consumer brands. He previously led the DC Lottery and held senior leadership roles with the North Carolina Education Lottery, following a career in brand marketing and product management. Frank holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a BS in Business Administration from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. A longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ equality, Frank has been involved with the Human Rights Campaign as a President’s Club member and volunteer, supporting fundraising and community engagement efforts. As a member of the Greater New Haven community, he is passionate about helping create a strong, welcoming LGBTQ+ community where people can connect, thrive, and feel supported.
Ryan Sutherland
Ryan Sutherland is a medical student at Yale School of Medicine and is excited to serve as a member of the New Haven Pride Center Board. With graduate training in public health, global development, and nonprofit leadership, his work focuses on LGBTQ+ health, health equity, homelessness, and improving access to care for underserved communities. He also serves as Executive Director of the New Haven PAUSE Project and Community Outreach Director of the Neighborhood Health Project, where he works to connect New Haven residents with accessible healthcare and community resources. Ryan is passionate about building inclusive, affirming spaces and strengthening partnerships between healthcare organizations and the LGBTQ+ community.
Not pictured
Nick Bussett, Board chair
Chloe Lasky, Board treasurer