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Our Leadership

FOUNDER

"Somewhere along the line I developed coping skills that turned me into a happy and proud transgender adult instead of a scared, insecure trans adolescent. These are things I’m hoping to share with the youth that decide to be a part of our program.  I always knew that my greater purpose in life was to help others. … It was my recent time volunteering at a summer camp for transgender youth that I realized where I want to focus my efforts."

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Christina Guiriba (She/ Her) established Transcending Adolescence in 2019, providing a resource for trans youth that was unavailable during her teen years. 

Read more about Christina and her vision in this article from The Florida Times-Union, and contact her at christina@transcendingadolescence.org.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Christine Rodriguez, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, MDiv, MA (she/they/ella)

President

christine@transcendingadolescence.org

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Christine is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a strong commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality care for historically marginalized populations. Dr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Applied Professional Studies from Nova Southeastern University, a Certificate in Faith Community Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Connecticut. As a healthcare chaplain and practitioner, she places herself in the quintessential position to understand her patient’s needs through the use of a biopsychosociospiritual framework. Through her own lived experience and the usage of such framework, Dr. Rodriguez relentlessly strives to advocate and dismantle the systemic oppressive ideologies found within our everyday lives. Her research interests are centered on antiracist, social justice, and equity pedagogical methods, gender affirming hormone therapy, 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual) identities, combatting religious and spiritual prejudice in healthcare settings, and innovative simulation-based education modalities to enhance cultural humility. She serves as Faculty & Assistant Dean of Simulation & Clinical Innovation at Yale School of Nursing, as well as an Affiliate Faculty for The Yale Institute for Global Health. Dr. Rodriguez has lectured, locally, nationally, and internationally regarding the importance of 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare content within healthcare curriculums, conducted numerous sensitivity trainings with clinical partners, and has developed simulation scenarios centered on meeting the healthcare needs of historically marginalized populations.

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Nate Quinn, RMHCI (he/they)

Vice President, Lead Mental Health Counselor

nate@transcendingadolescence.org

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Nate is TA’s Vice President as well as our lead mental health counselor for Resilience Retreats. In addition to providing around the clock one on one mental healthcare during camp, he leads our evening “campfire conversations”. These nightly group discussions center critical topics in the trans and gender expansive community, from social and medical transition to navigating relationships to gender euphoria. Nate is a graduate of UF’s undergraduate psychology program and UNF’s Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 2022 cohort. He currently works as a therapist in Gainesville, FL, working with clients with a myriad of mental health, relationship, identity, and life stress concerns. Nate’s favorite part of working on the TA board is connecting with other trans professionals to create a life changing experience for trans and gender expansive young people who attend our programs. 

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Cory Haynes (he/him)

Treasurer

cory@transcendingadolescence.org

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Cory does a lot of wonderful things.

Haiden Baier, LCSW (he/they)

Secretary

haiden@transcendingadolescence.org

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Haiden has been out as trans masculine for almost 10 years and medically transitioning for 8. Haiden went through struggles with his mental health before coming out and this propelled him to get a license in clinical social work (LCSW) and dedicate his time to working with the queer community. In his post graduate life thus far he has worked with the UNF LGBTQ Center and JASMYN towards bettering the community and state of Florida for queer young adults. If you don’t find him at JASMYN he’s likely somewhere else reading or playing Pokémon Go.

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Nat Bartlett (they/them)

Board Member/Outdoor Adventure Program Coordinator

nat@transcendingadolescence.org

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Nat is a dedicated Mental Health Counselor who recently earned their master’s degree from Jacksonville University. With a year of experience at the University of North Florida's counseling center, Nat has a strong commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Having previously enjoyed a career with Outward Bound, Nat possesses a wealth of outdoor knowledge and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of nature. They are passionate about integrating this expertise into their counseling practice to empower individuals through experiential learning.

 

In their role as the Outdoor Adventure Program Coordinator at Transcending Adolescence, Nat is excited to combine their love for the outdoors with their counseling skills to provide meaningful experiences and support to transgender youth.

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