Meet the Team

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Danté R.H. Reda (he/him/his) brings a wealth of experience and leadership to The LOFT, having served as the Chief Operating Officer at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester since 2017. In this role, he demonstrated exceptional skills in leadership, staff management, and organizational strategy. His dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and his commitment to advocacy and inclusion align perfectly with The LOFT's mission.

    In his previous role, Danté played a vital role in the YWCA's overall development, strategic planning, and service delivery, overseeing multiple departments. He has a proven track record of creating high-performing teams, developing strategic plans, and implementing new initiatives to achieve organizational goals.

    Danté's dedication to LGBTQ+ advocacy shines through his work and personal ethos. He carries with him the belief that "LGBTQ+ advocacy is my priority agenda. More specifically, trans women of color who continue to be marginalized."

    Reflecting on his time at the YWCA, Danté shared, "YWCA taught me that the fight will never stop. So, we need to keep pushing and have a voice for those who silently speak in a crowded room." Danté 's personal journey has reinforced his belief in the value of authenticity; as he said, "My identity is my greatest gift. A queer-identified person once told me, 'There's something so beautiful and beautifully hard about being yourself in a world that is determined to hate you.' It makes me value my identity's intersection even more; it's my greatest gift."

  • Chief of Staff

    Rickey Richard (he/him/his) joined The LOFT in 2024. Boasting a rich professional history cultivated over nearly a decade in Boston, MA, where he honed his marketing prowess in both the nonprofit sector and fitness industry, Rickey now returns to his roots with an unwavering commitment to community empowerment through LGBTQ+ resources, forging influential business partnerships, and pioneering innovative strategies to connect with our target audience.

    A deeply personal narrative fuels his journey. Reflecting on his formative years as a queer Indo-Caribbean individual without representation, Rickey acknowledges the struggles that shaped him while inspiring a mission to redefine societal norms. "Growing up without any representation as a queer Indo-Caribbean helped to make me who I am today, but it also gave me a sense of never fully belonging to a particular social group," he shares. "I decided instead of always fitting in, I needed to create my own space for myself and those like me." 

    Rickey has been a trailblazer for change and inclusivity. Formerly the Senior Director of Aquatics at the YMCA of Greater Boston, he led a dedicated team committed to cultivating diverse, inclusive communities. Not merely content with his role, Rickey's influence extended to national committees for multicultural and LGBTQ resource groups. His innovation spearheaded adaptive programs like "Splash" and "Swim Buddies," garnering attention from local newspapers. Beyond the professional realm, Rickey's dedication shines through in his contributions to community collaboration, social work, and groundbreaking programming to attract new audiences while ensuring their safety. 

    Reflecting on his past roles, he notes, "Before joining The LOFT, I've laid the groundwork for initiatives and media focusing on inclusivity, amplifying voices that often go unheard. It's about giving a voice to those who might not have found their own and building a sense of community within marginalized groups. This drives me—to make an indelible impact in the city I call home."

  • Director of Programming

    Jyoni Tetsuro Shuler (she/they) joined The LOFT's Trans Support of the Hudson Valley (TSHV) program in 2025, returning to her Westchester roots after 16 years of working & studying in Washington DC, Japan, Europe, and the Pacific Northwest. She is a proudly biracial, transfeminine, trilingual nonprofit & research professional with 10+ years of multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of applied social science research, holistic wellness promotion & social justice advocacy.

    In addition to her personal lived experience as a transwoman of color, she holds extensive experience serving communities of diverse marginalization, having previously worked at the nonprofits Our Children Oregon, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence and Confluence Environmental Center, and Sustainable Travel International, as well as Georgetown & Columbia Universities.

    She holds BA Honors in Psychology (Georgetown University), a MSc in Sustainable Tourism Management (European Master in Tourism Management), and a Certification in Integrative Health Coaching (Duke University Integrative Medicine). Decolonization, anti-racism, systems dismantling, radical self-care, and collective liberation are key tenants of her life & work. She greatly looks forward to supporting the Hudson Valley transgender & gender expansive communities through TSHV's programming and support services!

  • Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

    Sampson Oppedisano (he/him/his) joined The LOFT in 2025 and brings a diverse professional background spanning the New York State Assembly, higher education, foreign policy, and the nonprofit sectors. Known for his adaptability and ability to build genuine and meaningful connections with others, Sampson prides himself on his strong sense of mindfulness and emotional intelligence—qualities that allow him to navigate complex environments and foster inclusive, supportive spaces.

    Before joining The LOFT, Sampson served as the Program Assistant & Social Media Manager for the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, where he played a key role in organizing over 25 diplomatic dialogues between the United States, China, Taiwan, and many other nations on critical security issues. In addition to his programmatic work, he spearheaded the Committee’s social media strategy, significantly expanding its online presence and engagement. From 2017 to 2021, he was also a contributing writer for China-US Focus, where he explored diverse topics related to U.S.-China relations, foreign policy, and security.

    Sampson holds a degree in International Relations and East Asian Studies from SUNY New Paltz and is an alumnus of the highly selective SUNY Global Engagement Program. He also earned an Executive Training Certificate in International Affairs from the United Nations Association’s Worldview Institute.

  • Senior Program Manager: Trans Support of the Hudson Valley

    Erica Goldstein, MD, MPA, BCPA (she/they) is the Program Manager for Trans Support of the Hudson Valley (TSHV) at the LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center. A board-certified physician in both emergency medicine and hospice & palliative care physician, Erica is deeply committed to equity, access, and person-centered care. Their work is rooted in bridging the divide between clinical care and the social determinants of health, working to expand access so that more individuals can receive the support and services they need to thrive.

    Guided by both systems-level insight and lived experience as a nonbinary person, Erica is dedicated to fostering a more connected, collaborative, and resilient TGNCNB (transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary) community in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

    Erica holds a Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management from NYU Wagner and a medical degree from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science and Biology from Tufts University. Outside of work, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring the beautiful hiking trails of the Hudson Valley, listening to podcasts, and building community through meaningful conversations and connections.

  • Director, Marketing & Communications

    Ryan Hontz (he/him/his) joined The LOFT in 2023. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Communications and earned a Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts, as well as a UX Design Certification from Google.

    With a career in graphic design, event design, and branding, Ryan is known for infusing creativity and passion into every project. He transforms big-picture ideas into clear messaging, ensuring each experience resonates with its audience.

    Ryan is committed to crafting captivating experiences and approaches each project with enthusiasm and innovative solutions. A fervent advocate for elevating LGBTQ+ voices, he infuses inclusivity and authenticity into every aspect of his work.

    Throughout his career, Ryan has collaborated with esteemed organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Bette Midler's Hulaween Gala, and the US Winter Olympics. His goal is to create experiences that inspire and empower, driven by creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of branding and communications.

  • Program Manager: Community Engagement

    Darby Allison Dugue (she/her/hers) joined The Loft in 2024, where she is dedicated to supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community and promoting education around their unique needs and experiences.

    As a proud Afro-Caribbean woman, Darby brings her lived experience and personal identity into her professional work, emphasizing empathy, advocacy, and authenticity. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Lehman College in 2018 and has developed a career focused on equity, social justice, and community empowerment.

    Darby has extensive experience providing intensive case management to individuals living with serious mental illnesses, assisting them in navigating complex systems to obtain care and achieve stability. She has also supported homeless and housing-insecure youth in securing and maintaining independent housing, advocating for their safety and self-determination.

    Her background includes work with a nonprofit organization that offers creative and artistic opportunities to youth from urban communities, helping them explore identity, healing, and personal growth through expression.

    Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Hunter College, Darby remains committed to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering inclusive, affirming environments for marginalized communities.

    Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, she enjoys singing, caring for her plants, playing video games, and spending time with her cats, Mango and Sorbet.

  • Senior Program Manager: LOFT Generational Programming

    Alicia Wilczewski(she/her/hers) is a Program Manager for The LOFT. In this capacity, Alicia works in running and supporting various programs and services like Silver Connections and The LOFT Families.

    Before her time at The LOFT, Alicia worked with children from ages one year to elementary school age. She worked with two other co-teachers facilitating group activities, lessons, and playtime. In her youth, her teachers inspired her like no other, making bad days good. So she wanted to follow in their footsteps, her primary interest in teaching was not any specific subject but helping her future students and making sure that they were happy.

    She graduated from Manhattanville College in 2023 with a BA in History and Sociology, actively furthering her education and doing community service. Some of her favorite outreach programs included working with local animal shelters and helping the homeless population of New York City through Midnight Run. Midnight Run NYC is a volunteer organization that aims to provide food, clothing, and other essential items to homeless people in New York City.

    Serving the community is Alicia's underlying motivation and guides her towards whatever future endeavor allows for that. When Alicia is not working to serve the community or at school, she enjoys reading and writing, listening to music from a wide variety of genres, playing video games, and watching movies.

    Her two cats, Caramel(14 yrs) and Oreo(4 yrs) fill up her time when she’s outside The LOFT.

  • Program Manager: Community Programs & Volunteering

    Eleanor Rice (she/her/hers) joined the loft as a Program Manager in 2024, grateful for the opportunity to have such an active role within her community. Her focus is CALL to Action (Coalition on Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Lower Hudson Valley), a network of LGBTQ+ community advocates across Westchester County.

    Having grown up in England, after dabbling in the pharmaceutical industry and law enforcement (forensics), Eleanor joined a non-profit as Program Manager in 2004, establishing several outreach clinics for new parents in low-income communities. This sparked a passion for advocacy and community outreach, empowering vulnerable people by actively connecting them with resources and community. 

    Moving from England to America in 2011, she continued this work in her new community, with a heightened sense of the challenges that come with the immigrant experience. In 2020 Eleanor joined the New York State Department of Health, leading a team of Community Outreach Specialists on the front lines of the pandemic response. Through this work, Eleanor made connections with community-based organizations across all 7 counties of the Mid-Hudson Valley, connections which she continues to use in her role at The LOFT.

    In her free time Eleanor loves to travel, goes to comic-cons, plays with yarn, and somehow watches too many AND too few movies.

Meet the Board of Directors