Dr. Eliza Byard ’86 is the executive director of the GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national organization working to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit development and spearheaded the first-ever Ad Council campaign on LGBT issues, ThinkB4YouSpeak. On campus she was hosted by the student group GASP! (Gay and Straight People).
“The good news is that when you make the case well, carry the message in a way people can hear, and are willing to meet them where they are, they are willing to respond. There is significant common ground. Everywhere, people care about the well-being of young people and want them to succeed.”