Elyzabeth Holford, Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Elyzabeth Holford began her career as a trial attorney with Ohio State Legal Services Association. Her leadership expertise was sharpened through various roles during her twelve year career in academics with Virginia Tech as a tenured associate professor, director of the office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and director of two separate campuses. Ms. Holford left academics to pursue international organizational consulting in both the nonprofit and profit sectors. Ms. Holford’s work demonstrates consistent commitment to social justice and a proven ability to achieve measurable results. About leading Equality Ohio, Ms. Holford said, "I feel fortunate to be returning home to Ohio at this pivotal moment in time. Ohio is poised to provide full rights and recognition to all of its citizens and Equality Ohio has the team and the capacity to lead this effort.”
Kim Welter, Director of Programs and Outreach
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kim Welter has been serving as the Director of Programs and Outreach at Equality Ohio; with five years of experience, she is our most seasoned staff member. She joined the organization in 2008 after serving as the Executive Director of Equality Toledo for over 2 years. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she got her secondary teaching certificate through the University of Findlay and her Master of Arts and Education from the University of Toledo where she taught composition for 3 years. Kim is a 2009/2010 graduate of the Center for Progressive Leadership and serves on the Advisory Board for the Progressive Majority. In 2010, Kim took a leave of absence from Equality Ohio to serve as Campaign Manager for the ONE Bowling Green Campaign in Bowling Green, Ohio which successfully defended two local non-discrimination ordinances from a ballot initiative to repeal.
Patti Seitz, Director of Development
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Patti Seitz joined Equality Ohio in January of 2012 as the Director of Development. She has an extensive background in political fundraising having served as Finance Director for several statewide campaigns including Lee Fisher’s U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio and David Hoffman’s U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois. In addition, Patti served two years as Finance Director for Congresswoman Betsy Markey in Colorado and, previously, worked for Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas in Florida. She got her start fundraising on the teams of Governor Jennifer Granholm in Michigan and at EMILY’s List in Washington, DC. Her political career started at the Ohio House of Representatives where she worked for Representative Lorraine Fende. She graduated cum laude from Kent State University. In her free time, Patti enjoys camping, going to local shows, arts and crafts, and baking (cupcakes are her specialty). Patti was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and is happy to be back in Ohio fighting for equal rights for all of its citizens.
If you have read this far, make Patti’s day and click here to donate right now!
Aliya Rahman, Field Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Aliya Rahman leads our grassroots organizing efforts across the state. She draws on a background in economic and racial justice organizing, and believes in flexible organizing methodologies that draw on community, labor, faith, electoral, and student organizing traditions. She has spent the last two years organizing with the Center for Community Change in Ohio and Illinois, working specifically with low-income people, returning citizens (formerly incarcerated community members), and new immigrants. Before becoming a full-time field organizer, Aliya enjoyed eight proud years of teaching in public schools and colleges of education across Ohio, Indiana, and Arizona.
Aliya's role at Equality Ohio is to grow and strengthen our local networks of well-trained, active, empowered members. She wants to hear from you - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
Grant Stancliff, Communications Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Grant Stancliff joined Equality Ohio in December of 2012 as the Communications Manager. He has a seasoned background in communicating the ideas of social justice movements. He began communication strategy work in the anti-sexual assault and anti-domestic violence movements and eventually moved toward anti-racism and anti-violence efforts against the LGBT community. He has designed and implemented social marketing campaigns aimed at the public good and has consulted on strategy and messaging. As a community educator, he designed curricula on anti-oppression and LGBT-tolerance for communities, organizations, churches, and businesses. In addition, he has a very direct connection with the traditional news cycle: he has served as the Managing Editor of Partners in Social Change and the Online Editor of The Easterner.
Photos courtesy of and © 
