Board of Directors

Sanie Andres, MFT, ATR, President

Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2009, Sanie has been the adviser to The Out Project for the last two years before becoming President of the Board. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist, Sanie is a Clinical Supervisor at Penny Lane Family Center. He is adjunct faculty in the Masters in Counseling Program at National University. In 2008, Sanie was appointed by the Board of Directors of the American Art Therapy Association to serve on the Educational Programs Approval Board for a three year term. In 2010, he was appointed by the Lancaster City Council to the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation and is the Board Secretary. Initially, Sanie eagerly applied to volunteer to fold letters and lick envelopes for the center; he was ready to do his part after the passage of Proposition 8. Several years later, he's still waiting for that stack of letters and envelopes. Send Sanie an email.

Robert Benitez, Board Member

Having served two terms as the President of The Out Project, Robert was invited to join as a permanent member of the Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Palmdale High School and was the Student Life Editor for their newspaper “The Talon.” In July 2010, he was selected by the Gay Straight Alliance Network to be a mentor at their annual Youth Activist Camp. While at the camp, he learned about the systems of oppression, met with other queer leaders, and mentored youth from across Central and Southern California. Robert works locally in the community and is an exhibiting artist. Robert participated in the “25th Annual Juried Show” for the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery. There he received honorable mention for his piece titled, “The Creme.” In 2010, he curated of the Antelope Valley's first GLBT-themed art show, "Queer." Send Robert an email.

Julie Buchanan-Plaisance, Secretary

A graduate of Georgetown and UCLA, Louisiana native Julie Buchanan-Plaisance is a passionate educator, local business owner, and public speaker. As a public policy director for Antelope Valley's branch of the American Association of University Women and past President of Professional Women Toastmasters, she brings a clarity of message to The OUTreach Center as it seeks to raise its profile in the local community. Her background in grant-writing and donor recruitment will help the fledgling organization grow. In precious few moments that constitute free time, Julie is an avid cyclist and half-marathoner. She is married to entrepreneur and fitness coach Debra Buchanan-Plaisance, who is the more dedicated vegetarian in the family. Send Julie an email.

Timothy Dunar, Treasurer

Timothy joined the Board October of 2011. He Holds an MBA from the University of La Verne with concentration in finance. He held the position of Regional Coordinator with the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross and has served as a Finance and Statistical Information Manager on multiple national disaster relief responses. Tim has been an active volunteer with the American Red Cross in aquatics and health and safety since the age of eighteen, and has served on the Aquatics Committee for the Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross from 2000 to 2005. Currently he works as an Industrial Engineer with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Sector.
Send Tim an email.

Sue P. Dell, Esq., Board Member

Sue Dell serves as a local dependency court attorney and is a certified mediator. A graduate of University California, Los Angeles and Loyola Law School, she brings to the Board experience with fundraising and public relations. A veteran of the Lesbian Community throughout Southern California, Sue has over 25 years of experience serving on Boards for the AALA Convention Committee, Connexxus Women’s Center, and the Lesbian News. Her first experience with community organizing came from the Girl Scouts, followed by the Southern California Coalition on Battered Women. With an irrepressible humor, Sue brings conscientious dedication to The OUTreach Center. She is married to wife Jo. Send Sue an email.

Gina Piellusch, Board Member and Director of Volunteer Coordination

Gina Piellush is a native Californian who has worked for Northrop Grumman Corporation for more than 20 years and is a senior staff member. She is also the executive sponsor for the Pride in Diversity employee resource group on the corporation's Woodland Hills campus. Gina is part of GLAAD's media circle, has previously sat on the board of directors for Gender Justice L.A., and worked with the Transgender Law Center on their Leadership Summit. She is an avid volunteer and enjoys horseback riding with wife Madison and daughter Sabrina. She is a tireless advocate for freedom to marry and equality in the workplace for all people.
Send Gina an email.