Derek’s journey started with activism. During the Occupy Wall St. riots that started in New York City Derek was in Hawaii engaging with his community on how to be involved in issues that mattered most. Homelessness, Immigration, and Sovereignty are some of the issues that have brought Derek to walk in marches, submit testimony, and participate in protests. He learned early on that enthusiastic young people can convince a political party to change when he and his friends prevented a bill from passing that criminalized homelessness in 2011. Since then he has participated in solidarity against police brutality, immigrant incarceration, and federal recognition for Hawaiians. Derek has participated in several boards for organizations that support LGBT and youth. Q-Element a 501(c)3 that held after school programs to encourage workplace skills and continuing education in LGBT young adults. Trans* Spectrum whose mission is to increase transgender participation in politics and community work. Also, Youth Outreach Waikiki which served the needs of houseless young adults.

Alissa Nelson (she/they) is the Director of the Hawai’i Department of Health’s Schools Service Integration Support Team, where she is responsible for building and supporting a diverse statewide team to support the state Department of Education’s COVID-19 response.

Alissa has spent the last decade working with an array of stakeholders to develop programs that integrate health and social service delivery systems through a health equity lens. She has worked for health insurers, small and large non-profits, and in government in Hawai’i, California, and Missouri. Beyond this work, she is also an internationally recognized trauma-informed yoga teacher.

Ms. Nelson has master’s degrees in public health, social work, and neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis, and received a bachelor’s of science with honors from Brandeis University, where she completed her thesis under Nobel laureate Dr. Jeffrey C. Hall.

Identifies as Queer - He/Him – Medical Sales Professional

Matthew has worked in the healthcare sector for 5+ years and has held positions in both administrative and sales roles at his respective companies. The breadth of his experience focuses on finding the best solutions for healthcare entities to improve their facilities, increase revenues, and most importantly, improve patient outcomes – Matthew is passionate about advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community and creating a world where all have access to the healthcare they require.

Matthew attended Indiana University and received his bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration & Policy. He enjoys volunteering in his free time at several different charities (i.e., Gigi’s Playhouse, Alzheimer’s Association, etc.)

Breanna Zoey (non-binary, she/her) graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with her Master’s in Communication and a focus on health policy research and analysis. She brings with her to the HI SIS board a passion to advocate for and help ensure Hawaii’s health insurance companies stop denying medically necessary gender affirming care for the trans and GNC community. As someone who’s been denied by her health insurance several times, Breanna Zoey understands firsthand what it’s like to be denied and have to fight for coverage, and she wants no one else to have to fight so hard to get approved by insurance for lifesaving gender affirming care. When she’s not busy fighting insurance company denials and getting them overturned, Breanna Zoey enjoys spending her free time with her 4 cats, and by getting active at Pure Barre, by running or hiking. Her dream jobs include becoming a K-12 teacher in Hawaii public schools one day, and starting a cat café so she can help as many cats as possible find safe and loving families. Breanna is also the founder of the Hawaii Queers group where she and others build community and provide a space for local LGBTQIA+ individuals to find and connect with one another.