Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced the appointments of Mark Stephen Brown and Shane Dunn to its Board of Directors.

“I am excited to welcome Mark and Shane to GLAD’s Board,” said Board President Dianne Phillips. “At this critical time for our community, their passion and expertise will help ensure that GLAD remains at the cutting edge of securing protections for LGBT and HIV positive people.”

Following a career in teaching, facilitation, and pastoral work, Mark Stephen Brown is currently a training and development specialist at John Hancock/Manulife.  He was the coordinator of liturgy at the Jesuit Urban Center for 5 years, where he also tutored first-grade students, coordinated visits to the sick and elderly, and served monthly meals to people living with HIV/AIDS.  He is the co-leader of Manulife’s Boston chapter of Professionals Reaching Out for Unity and Diversity. Brown has a B.A. from Assumption College and a Master of Theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now Boston College School of Theology and Ministry). Originally from Rhode Island, he resides with his spouse in Dorchester.

“I am inspired by GLAD’s support of and advocacy for youth,” said Brown. “Coming out for me, as for many people, was not an easy journey, and bullying and rejection are still problems.  GLAD’s advocacy can help change young people’s lives.  I view board service as a unique opportunity to contribute to that important work.”

Shane Dunn is the Managing Director of Strategic Growth and Development at Excel Academy Charter Schools, a network of three public charter middle schools in East Boston and Chelsea serving primarily low-income, Latino students. Previously, Dunn worked in a variety of alumni relations and fundraising roles at Harvard, Tufts, and the MIT Sloan School of Management. Shane is an active Cornell University alumni volunteer and currently serves as President of the Cornell Club of Boston and of his Cornell Class Council. He holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from Boston College. Dunn has served on GLAD’s Spirit of Justice dinner fundraising committee for the past three years. An ally and the son of a lesbian mother, he is originally from Waterville, New York.

“It’s important to me personally and professionally to commit to an organization with a track record of historic success and that is reflective enough to know there is more work to be done,” said Dunn.  “That describes GLAD. I am eager to contribute to planning the next 30 years of advances, protections, and bold wins.”

Other members of GLAD’s Board of Directors, in addition to Phillips, Brown and Dunn, are Keplin Allwaters, Sandy Anderson, Beck Bailey, Brianna Boggs, Darian M. Butcher, Andre L. Campagna, Jo Davis, MSW, Marcy E. Feller, Joyce Kauffman, Jessica Mink, Alix L.L. Ritchie, Trina L. Soske, Anne E. Stanback, David Wilson, Vice President Rich Yurko, Clerk Chuck Latovich and Treasurer Ralph Freidin.