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Our Mission
The mission of the Equality Alliance (TEA) is to merge queer culture and philanthropy through our parties with a purpose, generating financial support and visibility for grassroots LGBTQIA+ charities fighting for equality in Central Texas.
Our Beneficiaries
Our Vision
The Equality Alliance envisions a world where labels are dropped and people are
seen as complex, individual human beings.
It is not “gay” marriage – it is marriage.
She is not a “lesbian” mother – she is a mother.. He is not a "homosexual” soldier –
he is a soldier. She is not a “transgender “judge – she is a judge.
Equality encompasses a lot of things - including the protections against
discrimination and the right to feel safe being your true self at home, at work and in
the communities around you.
L G B T Q. It is our community. It is a part of who we proudly are. But we are way
more than just the sum of some letters – unless those letters are H U M A N.
It's as simple as that.
Our Board
Ryan Rastelli:
Board President
Ryan Rastelli is an entrepreneur who moved to Austin from Philadelphia 15 years ago to open franchised preschools in the area.
He currently owns and operates several private schools as well as the Crunch Fitness located in Round Rock.
In the past, Ryan has also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, building and renovating spaces for people in need. He is excited to work with and support The Equality Alliance hosting exciting events which get people across our community engaged in philanthropy, and also raise critical funds for local LGBTQIA+ charities.
To contact Ryan - email him at: ryan.rastelli@theequalityalliance.com
He currently owns and operates several private schools as well as the Crunch Fitness located in Round Rock.
In the past, Ryan has also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, building and renovating spaces for people in need. He is excited to work with and support The Equality Alliance hosting exciting events which get people across our community engaged in philanthropy, and also raise critical funds for local LGBTQIA+ charities.
To contact Ryan - email him at: ryan.rastelli@theequalityalliance.com
Cameron Chen
Board Member
Cameron Chen is a product manager at LeanDNA, a supply chain analytics software company in Austin, Texas. A native of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Cameron received his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin and a BA of International Affairs and Asian Studies from The George Washington University. During his time at business school he was an executive board member of eQual MBA, an organization promoting diversity and inclusion within the McCombs MBA program and business community at-large. As a Division I student-athlete at GWU Cameron was president of The Grassroots Project, a program providing DC-area students with health literacy and social empowerment through sport. Cameron is a passionate disciple of Rupaul’s Drag Race and an advocate for representation within the LGBT+ community. The Equality Alliance brings together Central Texans and marginalized groups to lead successful, healthy, fulfilling lives.
To contact Cameron - email him at cameron.chen@theequalityalliance.com
To contact Cameron - email him at cameron.chen@theequalityalliance.com
Travis Holler
Board Member
Travis Holler is the Director of Leasing for Commercial Retail Group, a national commercial real estate operator based in Austin, Texas. A native of Huntington Beach, California, Travis received his BA in International Affairs and Political Science from The George Washington University and spent over a decade in Washington D.C. working in public affairs supporting various organizations, including Victory Fund and Q Street, in their public policy goals. A proud resident of South Austin, he is actively involved in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS and is looking forward to biking 90 miles this spring in support of several local LGBTQIA+ organizations. Travis is passionate about The Equality Alliance's mission in supporting the local LGBTQ community as we continue to fight for representation and full equality in Central Texas.
To contact Travis - email him at travis.holler@theequalityalliance.com
To contact Travis - email him at travis.holler@theequalityalliance.com
Marina Gonzales
Board Member
Marina Gonzales works for the State of Texas and is based in Austin. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Marina received her Juris Doctorate degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and a BA in Public Relations and Advertising from DePaul University. During her time at St. Mary’s Law, she was a board member for the Women’s Law Association, an organization promoting the success and inclusion of women within the law program and legal community at-large. She has also served as a volunteer and committee member for Street2Feet, a program that promotes goal setting, self compassion, confidence and discipline through the joys of exercise for individuals experiencing homelessness. Marina is a fan of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Beverly Hills, and Salt Lake City. She enjoys staying active with friends on the Austin trails or at yoga and Pilates. She is an ally dedicated to The Equality Alliance’s mission to give support and further the voice for organizations that are on the front lines every day fighting for equality and basic human rights for the LGBTQ community.
To contact Marina - email her at marina.gonzales@theequalityalliance.com
To contact Marina - email her at marina.gonzales@theequalityalliance.com
Alex Hernandez-Bobrow
Board Member
Alex is the 2022 Unite the fight winner and our newest board member.
Originally from South Africa, Alex Hernandez-Bobrow was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. She works in Real Estate for Realty Austin and has loved buying, selling, and deal-making since she was a child when she set up a small enterprise making and selling jewelry. Alex moved to the U.S. to pursue a career as a professional ballerina dancing with Ballet San Antonio. With the same grit and determination that enabled her to be a successful dancer, Alex pursued a degree in Business from the University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio) while also working in luxury sales.
In 2016 Alex moved from San Antonio to Austin to join her wife, Lisa, and dog, Nutella. They have purchased and sold several properties in Austin and San Antonio, which prompted Alex to marry her passion for working with people in sales with real estate.
Alex values life experiences that connect people and build deep, lasting relationships. She is world curious and does not shy away from new experiences and ways to expand her view of life. As a result, Alex loves marathon running and traveling. To date, Alex has completed 9 marathons on 5 continents, including Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades Marathon - a 54-mile race in South Africa.
Originally from South Africa, Alex Hernandez-Bobrow was raised in a family of entrepreneurs. She works in Real Estate for Realty Austin and has loved buying, selling, and deal-making since she was a child when she set up a small enterprise making and selling jewelry. Alex moved to the U.S. to pursue a career as a professional ballerina dancing with Ballet San Antonio. With the same grit and determination that enabled her to be a successful dancer, Alex pursued a degree in Business from the University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio) while also working in luxury sales.
In 2016 Alex moved from San Antonio to Austin to join her wife, Lisa, and dog, Nutella. They have purchased and sold several properties in Austin and San Antonio, which prompted Alex to marry her passion for working with people in sales with real estate.
Alex values life experiences that connect people and build deep, lasting relationships. She is world curious and does not shy away from new experiences and ways to expand her view of life. As a result, Alex loves marathon running and traveling. To date, Alex has completed 9 marathons on 5 continents, including Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades Marathon - a 54-mile race in South Africa.
John-Carlos Estrada
John Carlos Bio -
John-Carlos Estrada is an award-winning news anchor and reporter. He’s currently the morning news anchor at CBS Austin. You can watch him weekdays from 4:30 a.m. - 7 a.m. Estrada comes to Austin with nearly 15 years of experience anchoring, reporting, and producing in New York City, Washington DC, Florida, and Texas. He has also worked as a network producer prior to his work on-air. He's received degrees from Columbia University and The George Washington University. Estrada was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He’s a first-generation Mexican-American. He lives in Austin with his husband, Dr. Bruce Tharp and three French Bulldogs. He’s proud to serve on the The Equality Alliance board, which he joined after serving as celebrity judge at their 2022 Unite the Fight gala.
John-Carlos Estrada is an award-winning news anchor and reporter. He’s currently the morning news anchor at CBS Austin. You can watch him weekdays from 4:30 a.m. - 7 a.m. Estrada comes to Austin with nearly 15 years of experience anchoring, reporting, and producing in New York City, Washington DC, Florida, and Texas. He has also worked as a network producer prior to his work on-air. He's received degrees from Columbia University and The George Washington University. Estrada was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He’s a first-generation Mexican-American. He lives in Austin with his husband, Dr. Bruce Tharp and three French Bulldogs. He’s proud to serve on the The Equality Alliance board, which he joined after serving as celebrity judge at their 2022 Unite the Fight gala.
Danny Gomez
Allegra Benz
Allegra is a senior event producer and head of Experiential at Forefront, a full-serve experiential and entertainment agency that specializes in event production, brand activation, entertainment booking, and more.
A native Austinite, Allegra received her BBA in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University before moving back to Austin to grow her career in event management. Over her 10-year career, she’s helped produce and oversee hospitality and VIP relations for various clients as well as company owned events such as The Austin Trail of Lights, Live in the Vineyard, Live in the Vineyard Goes Country, Elevation Beaver Creek, Keep Austin Weird Live Events, The Austin Gamblers, H-E-B, Inspirato, Saucony, and more.
A passionate philanthropist, Allegra has also seen roles as marketing & events manager for Austin Music Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to cultivating and unifying every aspect of the Austin music community, as well as marketing & events assistant for The Rise School of Austin, a non-profit preschool whose mission is to provide the highest quality early childhood education for all children in an inclusive environment.
Allegra is honored to work and support the mission of The Equality Alliance as the nonprofit continues to provide critical resources to the LGBTQIA+ community. She is excited to offer her events experience to the strategic plan for TEA’s annual events and grow the events and impact of the organization.
A native Austinite, Allegra received her BBA in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University before moving back to Austin to grow her career in event management. Over her 10-year career, she’s helped produce and oversee hospitality and VIP relations for various clients as well as company owned events such as The Austin Trail of Lights, Live in the Vineyard, Live in the Vineyard Goes Country, Elevation Beaver Creek, Keep Austin Weird Live Events, The Austin Gamblers, H-E-B, Inspirato, Saucony, and more.
A passionate philanthropist, Allegra has also seen roles as marketing & events manager for Austin Music Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to cultivating and unifying every aspect of the Austin music community, as well as marketing & events assistant for The Rise School of Austin, a non-profit preschool whose mission is to provide the highest quality early childhood education for all children in an inclusive environment.
Allegra is honored to work and support the mission of The Equality Alliance as the nonprofit continues to provide critical resources to the LGBTQIA+ community. She is excited to offer her events experience to the strategic plan for TEA’s annual events and grow the events and impact of the organization.
Our Staff
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