Meet The
Board of Directors
The Board is an all-volunteer effort to aid the Rainbow Community Center's vision and future. Click here to learn more about joining our board:
Robyn Kuslits
President
Robyn is a proud Genderqueer Transwoman who is a student at John F. Kennedy University College of Law. She grew up in Contra Costa County, where she returned after her service in the United States Navy. Robyn has a B.S. in Business from University of Phoenix, and was a former Gender Voice Facilitator, Food Pantry Manager, and Director of Programs for Rainbow Community Center. She is also a founding member of Lambda Democratic Club of Contra Costa County, the first LGBTQ+ democratic club in the county. In her free time, Robyn enjoys trail running, watching movies, and playing games with friends. She currently lives with her adorable cat Duke. She is excited to contribute her knowledge and skills to an organization that holds such a dear place in her heart!
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Chris Wikler
Vice President
Chris Wikler was born and raised in the East Bay, and after four and a half years in Boston, is thrilled to be back home and working as staff for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Chris is a graduate of Tufts University, where he received a B.A. in international relations and political science. He comes to the board with a background in political campaigns, serving as deputy campaign manager for a Boston-based District Attorney race, as well as campaign staff to Berkeley State Senator Nancy Skinner. Additionally, he worked for Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the nation's first openly gay AG. Chris enjoys mountain biking, alpine skiing, and earned his Eagle scout award prior to the Scouting program's acceptance of LGBTQ youth and adults among their ranks. Chris is passionate about policy, local government, and connecting people in need with the services and support they deserve.
Alvaro Gonzalez
Director
Alvaro Gonzalez was born and raised in Chile and moved to the USA right after college. His first ever Pride was in Salt Lake City, UT where he finally felt part of a community. Alvaro brings to the Board more than 8 years of experience in fundraising and corporate relationships, hoping to be a helping hand to the Development team. Alvaro worked as a Senior Project Manager for San Francisco Pride for over 7 years, where he worked with Community Organizations, big Corporations and City leaders. He also has worked with LGBTQ+ organizations in Eastern Europe, which use another specific set of knowledge to connect with that community.
Alvaro has a 9 year old four legged “daughter” who owns his heart. He loves to travel, even if it’s to the next town from home, discovering new places and enjoying new experiences.
“Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts” - Barbara Gittings.
Denisen Hartlove
Director
Denisen, her husband Jay and their family have been East Bay residents for over 20 years. With two children who are LGBTQIA, she is a strong ally of the rainbow community. The Rainbow Community Center served as an invaluable resource in offering support and community to their family, and Denisen is now excited to be in a position to offer support to other families like hers. Denisen graduated from Golden Gate University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology with high honors, followed by literal decades of working for lawyers and writing for the newspaper. When not chasing teens and her family’s menagerie of pets (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 bunnies, and one rat … as of 3:30 today, that is, because we never know who’s arriving next …) she loves her career as a full time Realtor in Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda Counties. Favorite quotes include Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, “To laugh often and much, to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better… this is to have succeeded,” followed by, “Hold my earrings.” She has a habit of swearing, a decent right cross, and a welcome mat to all comers to their front door. In her off hours, she - wait, what off hours? But if she had them, she’d be even more enthusiastic about her family, advocating for the LGBTQIA community, and Netflix.
Sara Tucker
Director
Sara is a lesbian wife and mama of three awesome kids, at least one of whom is genderqueer. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Kansas City and spent a few years in Birmingham, AL, but has called the Bay Area home since 2005. She holds degrees in Human Development and Counseling and has spent her career working with children and families involved with the child welfare system. She is passionate about building relationships and advocating for marginalized communities. In her free time, she can be found hiking the beautiful Bay Area trails with her family, cooking without recipes, hanging out with friends, and trying to keep her houseplants alive.
Dee Vieira
Director
Dee is a wife, mother of 3 adult children and is a Bay Area product through and through. Dee's initial foray into activism, started in Antioch with the burrowing owls. It was here where she learned of city politics and dubbed the “Owl Lady”. At the same time, her children were also activating. They showed her that the nuclear family was not the "end all be all" that many in her generation were aspiring to. In fact, this blind pursuit of the American Dream, which generally leaves out the LGBTQI+ community and POC, can be downright dangerous. Dee's eyes were opened, and she vigorously joined her children's activism.
Dee spearheaded the importance of acknowledging our LGBTQI+ community to the city of Clayton. She reached out to community members, including Rainbow to help her convince the City of Clayton the importance to make June our Pride month and to raise the Rainbow flag in 2020 and the Progress Pride flag 2021. Dee has also been an active volunteer in raising much needed funds for schools, community and medical related causes throughout the 90’s and 2000’s.
In Dee’s spare time, she can be found walking daily with her cattle dog, growing
vegetables in her garden, collecting unique succulents throughout California,
crocheting, making art with wine corks, or having family night with dinner and games.
Dee is grateful and humbled to be a part of Rainbow’s community. She is where she
needs to be, a voice, right here, right now with you.