Volunteer Board
Working to make the Four Corners
a more equitable place for all.
Embedded Files
Chair:
Bailey Carlson
Bailey moved to Durango in 2013 for school, and like many others in the area, absolutely fell in love with everything Durango has to offer. After jumping from job to job, Bailey found himself in public health where he has worked in HIV prevention, sexual health education, and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy for the past five years. He is passionate about community connection, integration, and education, and believes in meeting the community where they’re at with fun and engaging activities. Bailey is a stand up comedian, drag king, skier, and all around adventurer. When he’s not working, you can typically find him exploring Durango with his two dogs or playing video games (while also snuggling his dogs).
E-Mail: bailey@thealliance.gay
Vice Chair:
Stephen O'Brien (he/him)
Stephen moved to Durango in 2008; in 2021 he signed up to help The Alliance plan Pride. The community he found within the town became a family, and his short-term volunteering gig became a long term commitment. Stephen helps Bailey co-chair & also helps manage finances, invoices, etc, & makes sure we have what we need to bring the Southwest Queer community together. Go Stephen!
E-Mail: stephen@TheAlliance.gay
Board Member:
Liza Williams (she/her)
Liza is the 6th generation of her family to reside here in Durango and is the proud mom of 2 great kids. She brings all the sass, RBF, and infantile jokes one could possibly handle. When she isn't working, she loves attending as many concerts or getting as many tattoos as possible, & enjoying time in the forest amongst the mushrooms [the girl loves mushrooms]. If you ever need to find her at an event, simply look among the crowd for someone with fabulous fingernails in the shade... laughing, enjoying life... and there she will be.
E-Mail: liza@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Melissa Lopez (she/her)
Melissa moved to the Durango area in 2007 with her husband and two children. She loves connecting people, creative projects, growing food, and is currently starting a lavender farm. Melissa is a Mama Bear who is here to champion LGBTQ+ rights and help make the work a safer and more just place.
E-Mail: melissa@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Nikki Bauer (she/her)
Nikki made Durango her home in 2021, a transplant from Minnesota. She joined the Alliance board in 2025 to help develop affirming spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and anyone exploring their identity. Nikki believes events and outreach can spark connection, raise awareness, and bridge the gap between local needs and available resources. She wants to help turn shared experiences into meaningful and lasting support. On a personal level, Nikki enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, crafting, game nights, and spending time with her fluffy tuxedo cat.
E-Mail: nikki@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Annie Dulaney (she/her)
Annie graduated from The Fort and decided to make Durango her home. When she is not working you can often find her at the Durango Dog Park or Oxbow Park trying to exhaust her Husky, Yeti. As our Youth & Family resources chair, Annie plays a very important role in helping create safe avenues for growth among the queer community.
E-Mail: annie@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Andy Mathews (he/they)
Andy is a queer in the Durango area with a passion for creating and cultivating harmonious spaces for people to exist. He brings cheer and laughter to the board as well as a talent for marketing and design. He is a producer & stand-up comedian, performing through (www.durangocomedy.com)'s schedule throughout the year. He doesn't want you to know anything else about him, except: you can catch him hula-hooping, climbing, thinking about stuff, or walking his doggy in the mountains at any given time. If you have any really good mocktail recipes, please send them his way!
E-Mail: andrew@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Ryan Garcia (he/they/she)
Ryan is the Director of Community Health Programs with Planned Parenthood; overseeing programs that focus on BIPOC/LGBTQ+ communities. With over 15 years of experience in LGBTQ+ public health, Ryan strives to improve health outcomes for queermunites across our region. Having grown up in nearby Aztec, NM, Ryan believes deeply in being the change we want to see in the world and has enjoyed watching out region’s rainbow grow brighter each year.
E-Mail: ryan@thealliance.gay
Board Member:
Ava Skye (She/Her)
Ava is a 4-year-old grown-a** woman with three kids and a pupper. A graphic artist and marketing specialist by vocation, Ava loves all things creative and can often be found watching the clouds form pictures, taking glorious photos of nature (including her extremely photogenic dog), or sketching the myriad ideas flowing through her brain at any given moment. Hailing from the distant land of Pagosa Springs, Ava is excited to bring her brand of advocacy and acceptance to The Alliance family.
E-Mail: ava@thealliance.gay
General information questions can be directed to Bailey@TheAlliance.gay, or on any of our social media.
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