Our Team
Patchwork is a TNBGNCI-led organization striving to reflect the diverse and intersectional beauty of our community in all aspects of its programs and administration.
Leadership
Stephanie Kolton (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of Patchwork.
A former emergencey medical first responder working primarily in socio-economically disadvantaged urban communities, disaster response with a focus on uncivil and austere environments, and international relief and aid work in the global south, Stephanie brings her nearly 20 years of critical crisis intervention and calm, de-escalating demeanor to serve the TNBGNCI community with her characteristic gentility and humor.
In her years facilitating peer support groups, Stephanie witnessed the struggles many of her community members faced in accessing regular support and care, particularly in more underserved parts of the country. Stephanie recognized the urgent need for free access to peer support as a neccessary tool for the health and wellbeing of transgender comunity.
In 2022, she began facilitating a small group of gender-expansive people in a deep listening circle. She saw how with every discussion, each member grew stronger and more confident in themselves, and how that confidence allowed them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. She knew she had to do more. So in 2023, she created Patchwork, to bring vital peer support to every transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex person in the country.
Meet the team
Patchwork believes in a collaborative work environment, centering the lived experiences of intersectional and complex marginalized voices, and representing our ideals of a beautiful patchwork community in all our volunteer and administrative staff.
Board of Directors
Senior Staff
Rhys McCaughran
Director of Programs
Rhys McCaughran (he/him) received his MS in psychology from the University of Oregon in 2022. During his time in graduate school he specialized in translational neuroscience, studying program implementation and evaluation, community psychology, and neurodevelopment across the lifespan. His studies culminated in a capstone research project highlighting the impacts that caregiver perceptions and behaviors have on the mental wellbeing of transgender youth.
With a background that spans research, peer mentoring, grassroots organizing, and nonprofit development, Rhys utilizes his knowledge and lived experience to support Patchwork’s programs in providing necessary services for the TNBGNCI community.
Our All-Stars
Join the team
Are you interested in joining us? We are looking for volunteer facilitators, social media managers, and other vital help.