For press inquiries or concerns, email press@eqca.org For questions on Equality California events, email events@eqca.org For questions about donating to Equality California, email donorrelations@eqca.org For legislative questions, email legislation@eqca.org For questions on Equality California’s programs, email programs@eqca.org For questions on Equality California’s endorsement process, email endorsements@eqca.org For all other questions, email info@eqca.org
Tony Hoang is the Executive Director of Equality California and Silver State Equality and a veteran of the LGBTQ+ equality movement. The proud son of Vietnam War refugees and the first in his family to graduate from college, Tony brings a lived understanding of the intersections of sexuality, race, gender, and immigration to his leadership. Since joining Equality California in 2009, he has served in numerous roles in the organization before being named Executive Director in 2021. Along the way, he has helped pass groundbreaking civil rights legislation in California, Nevada, and Washington, D.C.; led statewide public education and ballot measure campaigns; and supported the election of hundreds of openly LGBTQ+ and pro-equality leaders. Under his leadership, Equality California has dramatically expanded its budget, staff, and programs, growing to more than 900,000 members nationwide. Beyond his work at Equality California, Tony serves on the board of the California Community Foundation and mentors emerging leaders through the UCLA Luskin Senior Fellowship and USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Mentoring Programs. He is also a member of the CAUSE Leadership Network and the Pacific Council on International Policy and has previously served on the boards of the Equality Federation and DTLA Proud, as well as the City of Los Angeles's Innovation and Performance Commission. Tony received a BA in International Relations at the University of Southern California. He is an avid concert-goer, cook, cyclist and traveler. Tony lives in Downtown Los Angeles with husband Ian.
Tom Temprano is the Managing Director at Equality California, where he serves as deputy to the Executive Director and oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations. Tom joined Equality California in February 2022 as Political Director, leading the organization’s successful efforts during the 2022 election cycle. He later served as Managing Director of External Affairs for Equality California and Silver State Equality, where he oversaw political affairs, strategic communications and media relations, legislative advocacy at the state and federal levels, and impact litigation. Based in San Francisco, Tom previously served as Chief of Staff to San Francisco District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. He was also an elected member of the San Francisco City College Board of Trustees for five years. In addition, Tom has held leadership roles in the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club—as President, Co-President, and PAC Chair—and served on the board of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. Tom received a BA in Political Science from San Francisco State University. He is a passionate basketball fan and enjoys exploring California with his Chihuahua mix Valerie.
Theresa Carlisle is the Director of Human Resources Director and Administration for Equality California responsible for all human resource functional areas, including benefits administration, talent acquisition, and retention, compensation and performance appraisal, leadership development, and workforce culture. Prior to joining Equality California, she was the US People and Culture Manager for Denmark-based Linkfire, Inc., a music industry technology company. Theresa has over twenty years of people and culture experience in the healthcare, behavioral health, and imaging industries. She graduated from Antioch University with a BA in Business Management.
Jorge Reyes Salinas is the Communications Director for Equality California and Silver State Equality, based in Sacramento. He was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He is a graduate of Cal State Northridge, where he received a Master's Degree in Communication Studies and Bachelor's degree in Journalism. As a student at Cal State Northridge, he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the CSU Board of Trustees. Jorge recently served as Senator Monique Limón's Communications Director. Before that, he served as an Assembly Fellow in the office of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and as a District Representative for Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg.
Joe is the Development Director for Equality California and Silver State Equality, based in San Francisco. Joe is a professional nonprofit and political fundraiser with deep roots in the LGBTQ+ movement. He spent most of the last decade working at allied LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Joe will be joining Equality California from California YIMBY, California's leading housing policy, research, and advocacy organization, where he serves as Development Director. Joe is very active in his neighborhood and in San Francisco politics, recently winning a seat on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (SF Democratic Party) in March 2024. Joe has served as the Vice President for the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association, he currently serves on the executive committee for the Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, and previously served on the Retail Strategy Committee of the Castro Community Benefit District. Joe is a two-time cyclist for AIDS/LifeCycle and will also be joining this year for its final year.
Josh Wright (he/him) joins Equality California after working for years in the California State Legislature and most recently as the Director of Government Relations for the California Association of Food Banks. During his time in the Legislature, he worked for two Senators and one Assemblymember, staffing a wide range of issues, including housing and homelessness, human services, healthcare, labor, governance and finance, and LGBTQ issues. In addition to his legislative experience, Josh has participated in a leadership training program for young progressives, interned for political campaigns, started a LGBTQ student organization at his community college, and has been involved with various advocacy organizations. Josh received a BA in philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley.
Valerie Ploumpis is National Policy Director for Equality California and Silver State Equality, based in Washington, DC. She is a political expert with more than two decades of experience in issue-advocacy campaigns, grassroots education and mobilization, coalition building, lobbying and media outreach. Past co-chair of two LGBTQ+ organizations, OutRight International Action and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund’s Campaign Board, she now serves on the Council for Global Equality, a coalition of U.S.-based human rights and LGBTQI advocacy organizations. Prior to joining Equality California, she was a principal at Burnside & Associates and a senior legislative and policy advocate for several international trade organizations in Washington, D.C. She holds a BA in international relations from Mills College and an MA in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.
Erin Arendse is the Program Director at Equality California, leading the organization's programs aimed at reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, empowering LGBTQ+ leaders, and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community. She also oversees the organization's grants fundraising strategy. Prior to joining Equality California, she was the Senior Manager for Grants and Compliance at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and worked as a freelance and volunteer grant writer for a number of organizations. She graduated from California State University Long Beach with an M.A. in English and is a former English professor.
André C. Wade is the state director for Silver State Equality. In this role he leads legislative, fundraising and political efforts in the state of Nevada. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Administration, André has worked in human services for nearly 25 years in a variety of public and nonprofit contexts working on issues such as developmental disabilities, child welfare, youth experiencing homelessness national policy advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. André has served on several boards and committees focused on LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion such as the Human Rights Campaign’s Advisory Council for the All Children’s All Families program. Andre is a two-time appointee to Governor Sisolak’s Advisory Task Force on HIV Exposure Modernization for the State of Nevada. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, André is a certified yoga instructor who loves spending time with his partner, traveling to new places and having interesting experiences attending concerts, and sneaking in time reading, writing and spending time with loved ones.
Aldo Macias Arellano (he/him/his) is the Executive Manager/Board Liaison at Equality California. In this capacity, Aldo provides administrative support to the Executive Director and acts as the primary administrative liaison for both Equality California and Equality California Institute’s Boards of Directors, Board of Advisors, and Executive Director’s Council. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Aldo migrated to the United States at a young age and was raised in unincorporated East Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, marking the beginning of his dedicated journey in public service. Aldo's diverse career spans various sectors, including immigration, HIV/STD prevention, mental health advocacy, public education, and civic engagement. Aldo's commitment to public service blossomed further following his completion of the Equality California Comcast Fellowship program in 2012. Aldo currently resides in the City of Pico Rivera, where he serves as a Commissioner within the Sister City Commission.
