At-large Candidates for DignityUSA Board

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Name: Lis Regula (he/him)

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Employment: Otterbein University (adjunct)
Ohio Equal Rights (co-chair)
Men Having Babies (advocacy associate)

Education: PhD, Biology (Kent State University, 2013)
Grad Certificate, LGBTQ+ Public Health (Kent State University, 2024) BS w/ honors distinction, EEOB (Ohio State University, 2005)
BS, psychology (Ohio State University, 2005)

Professional Skills: Education, Research, Writing, Advocacy, Relational organizing, Public health, Project management, Communications

Volunteer Experience: Present:
League of Women Voters of Ohio, board member and DEI committee chair
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, board member and endorsement committee chair SPARK editorial board member
Men's Chevra Kaddisha member, Tifereth Israel
Past:
Highland Youth Garden, board member
Kent Environmental Council, board chair
Edible Kent, co-founder

Statement: I am honored to be considered for service on the Board of Directors of DignityUSA. My professional and personal work has consistently centered on advancing dignity, equity, and access to care- values that align deeply with DignityUSA’s mission to affirm the inherent worth of LGBTQ+ people within the Catholic tradition.

I bring a multidisciplinary background that bridges science, education, and advocacy. As a biologist and former university lecturer, I have extensive experience translating complex information into accessible, community-centered language. This has been critical in my work addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in areas of reproductive health and family-building. I have authored research, led public scholarship efforts, and mentored students in understanding how systems of power shape access to care and wellbeing.

In my current role as Advocacy Associate with Men Having Babies, I work at the intersection of policy, education, and community engagement. I have led initiatives such as the development of an Employer Surrogacy Benefits Database and contributed to national conversations through partnerships with organizations like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. This work has strengthened my ability to collaborate across sectors, build coalitions, and advocate effectively within complex policy landscapes.

I also bring substantial experience in grassroots organizing and leadership. As Co-Chair of Ohio Equal Rights, I help guide a statewide campaign to amend the Ohio Constitution to enshrine equal rights and protect access to marriage. This role has required strategic planning, message development, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to navigate politically sensitive environments with clarity and care. I regularly work with faith leaders, policymakers, business leaders, and community members to build broad, values-driven coalitions.

My connection to DignityUSA’s mission is also deeply personal. As a Jewish man of faith who works closely with LGBTQ+ communities navigating religious spaces, I am committed to interfaith solidarity and to supporting efforts that affirm the dignity of all people within and across traditions. I approach this work with humility, recognizing both the importance of Catholic-specific contexts and the value of shared learning across faith communities.

If elected to the Board, I would contribute strengths in strategic communication, policy analysis, and program development. I am particularly interested in supporting DignityUSA’s continued efforts to expand its reach, deepen its advocacy impact, and engage younger and more diverse members. I also bring experience in grant writing, public-facing communication, and organizing national and international events, which I believe could support the organization’s growth and sustainability.

Equally important, I am committed to collaborative leadership. I value transparency, accountability, and thoughtful deliberation, and I believe that strong boards are built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to mission. I am eager to listen, learn, and contribute in ways that strengthen DignityUSA’s work and ensure its continued relevance in a changing social and religious landscape.

Thank you for considering my candidacy and for the work you do to uphold dignity, justice, and belonging.

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Name: Jim Cummings (he/him)

Location: Glendale, California

Education: I am seminary trained at St. John's in Camarillo, CA, as well as a master's in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles.

Professional Skills/Training: I am a certified catechist and ordained deacon, as well as a college professor of religious studies. I am also a graduate of the DignityUSA 2022 Leadership Academy.

Statement: I'm an advocate for ongoing formation and faith enrichment opportunities, having provided pastoral ministry as a Deacon to the San Fernando Valley, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles chapters. I believe in partnership and collaboration to make things happen. Locally for Dignity/San Fernando Valley, I am music & liturgy coordinator and social media & website coordinator. I would bring to the DignityUSA Board my knowledge and ministerial experience, while providing some West Coast representation! I have participated with Dignity for over twenty years and was trained by the Dignity Leadership Academy in 2021-22. I am aware that the financial stability of our organization should always be a concern of each and every board member. I am enthusiastic about the future of Dignity and the continuing impact we have on LGBTIQ+ spirituality both nationally and globally, to keep our vision of inclusivity and welcome alive.

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Name: Brian Rink (he/him)

Location: Arlington, VA

Employment: Self employed clinical social worker

Education: Social work, theology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy. BA, MSW, PhD (student)

Professional Skills/Training: organizing, fundraising, teaching/education/presenting

Volunteer Experience: 20,000 hours as a volunteer EMT/Firefighter
Volunteer Commissioner for town planning and zonning commission (5 years) President/vice president multiple times for PTA, Girl Scouts of America Local Church leadership, Staff-Parrish Relations Committee

Statement: Brian Rink was born in Milford, Connecticut, and lived there until moving to Maryland in 1993. Brian is a cradle Catholic, having the fortune to be raised in a parish accepting and respectful of Vatican II. Brian was formed by his mother and extended family, along with parish clergy and staff, to believe in a loving, caring, and redeeming God. He attended parochial school through eighth grade, and public high school. Brian studied Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and went on to receive his MSW from Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service.

Brian was married for 23 years, raising two daughters while being a stay-at-home father for 15 years. After his divorce, Brian was supported through his coming out by his many family and friends and has been living openly as a gay man since 2015. Brian has been with his husband Ben, since 2017. They live in Arlington, Virginia, where they are nested cozily with their two pups and many new friends.

Brian works as a clinical social worker who practices psychodynamic psychotherapy primarily with men who suffer from a lack of emotional intelligence, identity, and purpose. He is also expertly trained in three couples therapy modalities as well as being a certified sex therapist. Brian has studied theology at The Ecumenical Institute of Saint Mary's University, Baltimore, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary, primarily in the subjects of scripture, Pastoral Theology, and Moral Theology. He is planning to begin his studies in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy through ACPE in the Fall.

Brian is eager to serve the LGBT community of God’s Holy Church on this fragile earth. He is eager to network with other people of faith, and no faith at all, to advance the social, moral, and religious needs of queer people throughout the world. He seeks to advance the command of “Justice” for all the world's people. He has special interests in the inclusion of people living with disability, young families with children, and the growing senior LGBT population who will increasingly be needing social and emotional support as they age.

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Election Timeline

Electronic and Paper Ballots Sent to Current DignityUSA Members:   Monday, May 11

Candidates Forum: Saturday, May 16 at 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT

Final Date to Send Mail-in Ballots: Monday, June 15

Voting Ends: Tuesday, June 30

Results Sent to Secretary to be Forwarded for Board Certification: Wednesday, July 1

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Candidates Forum

All are welcome to join us for our Candidates Forum on May 16. Learn more about why these candidates are interested in serving on the DignityUSA Board!

Register Now