MEET THE TEAM
Aidan Park is the visionary founder and executive director of YAY Foundation and brings a personal commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, informed by his diverse background as a gay man living with HIV.
Benjamin Gross is the Program Director for The YAY! foundation with an extensive background in event production, marketing and stewardship.
(Board Member) Danica Westmoreland as a founding board member and the founder of Incentive Solutions, brings invaluable experience in operations consultancy to YAY Foundation's projects, particularly overseeing the execution of YAY Day initiatives such as Producing several comedy Free Mom Hugs and Project Q.
(Board Member) Andy Park’s role as the Tech Director ensures seamless technical execution across all events and initiatives, contributing to the Foundation's mission of fostering community engagement through innovative technology solutions.
(Board Member) Rosaline Tran’s expertise in legal matters and her role as a founding member make her instrumental in handling legal filings and providing guidance on production matters, including the development of television shows that the Foundation is involved in.
(Board Member) Andrew VanVoorhis’s contributions as the Technical Producer, overseeing light, sound, and overall technical aspects of events, play a vital role in creating immersive experiences for attendees and ensuring the success of all Foundation initiatives.
Miles Foster was born in Los Angeles. He completed his studies at Eugene Lang The New School for Liberal Arts in 2020 earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Economics and Cultural Studies. As a Maitre D' at M grill, he was introduced to non-profit work organizing a fundraising campaign for the YAY Foundation during pride month. As a black, bisexual man and an advocate for mental health awareness and education, joining the YAY Foundation board was an easy decision as it is a cross section of his passions.
Crystal Lee role as the Operations Manager involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation, ensuring smooth functioning across all departments and initiatives, and contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the organization.
Valencia Foster is a native of Los Angeles. She has had a long and rewarding career in pharmaceutical and biotech sales and marketing. Currently, she is an Associate Director in field marketing as a Thought Leader Liaison with a pioneering biotech company. Valencia ‘s passions include her allyship advocacy for the LGBTQIA community. She has held the position of Southern Chapter Leader for the national nonprofit organization, Free Mom Hugs, for the last 5 years. Free Mom Hugs’ mission is to celebrate the LGBTQIA community through visibility, conversation and education and hugs.
Scott Gizicki’s role in individual donor stewardship ensures strong relationships with donors, contributing to the Foundation's financial sustainability and enabling it to continue its impactful work in the community.
Beth Flax’s role as the Operations Manager involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation, ensuring smooth functioning across all departments and initiatives, and contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the organization.
Dr. Erin Baker is on a mission of joy and supports the YAY Foundation by overseeing mental health related components of our work, Through a winding career path that started with a PhD in social psychology, moved into research and leadership at Facebook and Microsoft, and more recently running a private business and leadership coaching practice for mission-driven entrepreneurs, one thing has always been clear: joy often gets treated as a nice-to-have, especially in our professional lives, rather than as the essential ingredient to everything we do. Erin is the author of the bestselling “Joy-Full AF: The Essential Business Strategy We’re Afraid to Put First” and is currently working on several projects related to emotional intelligence, mental health awareness, and personal growth.
Michel Chicoine is the International Chair of The YAY Foundation and founder and executive director of Gay Widows Association of Canada. Michel is a French-Canadian widower with a passion for positivity, laughter, and spirituality. With 19 years of experience as a flight attendant, Michel has cultivated a global perspective, living between Montréal, Puerto Vallarta, and Vancouver, while frequently traveling to Europe and Asia. An accomplished volunteer photographer, Michel brings his unique gift as a medium into all aspects of his life. Deeply inspired by The Art of being YAY, Michel enthusiastically supports the YAY Foundation as a volunteer at large, spreading YAY! with unmatched energy and joy wherever his travels take him. He is fluent in both French and English.