Project STIQ Educators

Meet Our Sexuality Educators

André

André (they/she) has been passionate about creating inclusive environments where marginalized communities feel safe and heard and where they can obtain knowledge to make empowered decisions regarding their health and personal lives. André has acquired a wealth of knowledge from their educational experiences, and they have been able to help integrate policies and break down barriers affecting patients and physicians alike. André is thrilled to be able to continue this work at PPGNY and is committed to making health care and medical services more effective and comfortable for patients.

Hometown: Queens, New York

Favorite Food: Sushi & Thai

Favorite TV Show: I love too many anime to list just one 😂

Ashley

Ashley (she/they) is a Sexuality Educator for Project STIQ at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY). She was a Sexual Health Educator and peer mentor throughout her college experience. She has had experience in community-based organizations ranging from a homeless youth shelter to an abortion doula network. Her community is made up of the beautiful combination of LGBTQIA+ folx, first-generation children of immigrants, Asian-Americans, NYC natives, and healers. In her free time, you can find her reading astrology charts and tarot, daydreaming (she’s a Pisces), and trying out new foods she saw on TikTok.

Hometown: Queens, NY

Favorite food: Spicy Chicken Korma + Naan

Favorite TV show: Euphoria

Bella

Bella (she/her) has been passionate about sexuality education ever since she attended Planned Parenthood sexual and reproductive health seminars when she was 13. During college, she combined skills she acquired in grassroots organizing with her passion for sexual and reproductive health education. Eager to continue down the path of accessible, comprehensive, evidence based Sexual and Reproductive Health education, Bella is ecstatic to continue this work as a sexuality educator for Project STIQ within Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Favorite Food: My mom’s adobo

Favorite TV Show: Food Wars!

Destynee

Destynee (she/her) started with Planned Parenthood in high school as a Teen Advocate sharing information on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) to her peers. She has returned as a Sexuality Educator, where she hopes to fuse her love of Creative Arts, Child Psychology, and SRH to help youth develop the skills and knowledge to advocate for themselves.

Hometown: Manhattan, NY

Favorite Food: Turkey bacon, egg and cheese (TurkeyBaconEggAndCheese)

Favorite TV Show: Bob’s Burgers

Jessica

Jessica (she/her/hers) is a Sexuality Educator for Project STIQ at Planned Parenthood Greater New York (PPGNY). As an undergraduate student, Jessica coordinated her campus sex education organization and facilitated sexual health and consent workshops at local high schools. She also provides direct support as an abortion doula and advocates for abortion access and is grateful for the community she has found in the Reproductive Justice movement. At all other times, you can find her cooking vegan recipes or making up her own.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Favorite Food: Tofu banh mi

Favorite TV Show: Ru Paul’s Drag Race

Lauren

Lauren (she/her) is a Sexuality Educator at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Prior to working with PPGNY, Lauren was a full-time classroom teacher for four years within the public school system, teaching math to adolescents in grades 6–12. Combining her passion for human sexuality with extensive teacher training, Lauren is passionate about making sexual education accessible and inclusive to youth from all backgrounds. When she’s not making sex education magic happen, you can find her walking barefoot in nature, practicing yoga, and exploring different spiritual modalities.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad

Nelson

Nelson (he/him) is a Sexuality Educator/Trainer for Project STIQ & Signature Programs at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Nelson has dedicated the past 10 years to providing youth ages 11-24 with medically accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health information by facilitating workshops, pop-up events, and tabling at events in the community. Nelson’s main goal is to provide youth with the information and resources needed in order to protect themselves, live a healthy life, and know their options when it comes down to Sexual and Reproductive Health services.

Hometown: Lower East Side of Manhattan

Favorite Food: Lasagna

Favorite TV Show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Nicole

Nicole is a Sexuality Educator with Project STIQ. She previously worked supporting youth in foster care, where she saw the need for sexual reproductive health education. She believes every individual deserves to have access to sexual education and resources, regardless of gender, race, age or ethnicity. Nicole is happy to be serving the community that saw her grow up.

Hometown: Queens, New York

Favorite Food: Al Pastor Tacos

Favorite TV Show: Nailed It!

Stephen

Stephen (he/him/el) joined the Project STIQ team in 2021 with 4 years of experience working in public health. Stephen has worked with teens and young adults in the health field by connecting them to HIV prevention and treatment services, primary care, and mental health services. Stephen graduated from college with a B.A. in Sociology and Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies and would like to become a nurse in the future. In his free time, Stephen loves to cook, travel, go to museums, listen to music, and listen to podcasts.

Hometown: New York, NY

Favorite Food: Pollo Guisado

Favorite TV Show: Desus & Mero

Meet Our Adult Role Models

Brenda

Brenda (she/her) has been an Adult Role Models (ARM) since 2015. When she joined the program, she was the mother of a then 5-year-old toddler. Early on, Brenda used the techniques and skills she learned from the Adult Role Model curriculum to communicate with her daughter and offer support around sexuality. Over time, the conversation around sexuality continued, and Brenda has seen firsthand the benefits of providing that support. Her daughter turns to her for questions and support.

Dennis

Dennis (he/him) has been an Adult Role Models (ARM) since 2004. Dennis has also been an active member of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York's (PPGNY) Activist Council and regularly participates in lobby days and fundraising events. In addition to his work with PPGNY, Dennis is a Deacon at the Collegiate Church of New York and currently serves on the board of The Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing. Dennis is the proud father of three daughters and five granddaughters. He is deeply dedicated to the mission of PPGNY and the health, safety and empowerment of all women, teens and families.

Diane

Diane (she/her) has been an Adult Role Models (ARM) since 2007. Diane believes that, because our children are being bombarded with many confusing messages and signals in the media and from their peers, it is crucial that the ARM Program exists to empower parents to help tease out those messages. Diane is an established leader in her church in Brooklyn, where she serves as the chairperson of the Parenting Ministry.

Francisco

Francisco (he/him) joined the Adult Role Models (ARM) in 2015. Since joining Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, Francisco has increased his knowledge around sexual and reproductive health topics. His favorite part of being an ARM is teaching parents and grandparents the tools to communicate more effectively with young people. Francisco is bilingual and completed La Guardia Community College's community health worker certificate program.

Pat

Pat (she/her) has been an Adult Role Models (ARM) since 2007. Pat’s rewarding moment from being an ARM is helping prepare parents to be able to communicate with their children. When not out in the field giving workshops, Pat enjoys spending time with her family. She is also an active volunteer for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

Project STIQ

Sexuality Educators & Adult Role Models

Interested in learning more about Project STIQ or scheduling programming?