BASF AND EDGE New Jersey
Transgender Day of Rememberance Workshop
Meet the facilitators
Daniella Mendez, She/Her
Development Coordinator at EDGE NJ
Dedicated to champion LGBTQ rights and foster inclusivity. Tirelessly works to dismantle barriers and promote equality. My Advocacy extends across various platforms, addressing issues such as anti-discrimination policies, healthcare access, and broader societal acceptance. I stand firm in the belief that everyone deserves to live authentically, free from prejudice and discrimination. In addition to my advocacy work, as a speaker I have shared my personal journey and insights at numerous events. Living and speaking authentically, I resonate with audiences, hopefully leaving a lasting impact and inspiring positive change. Whether addressing a room of policymakers, students, or community members, I believe in fostering empathy and understanding. Through engaging talks, encouraging dialogue, dispelling myths, and encouraging allies to actively support the LGBTQ community. With all speaker events, always ending with a call to action, urging the audience to embrace diversity and create a more inclusive world.
Nicholas Lepper MSW, He/Him
Development Coordinator at EDGE NJ
Nicholas is a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate dedicated to fostering affirming spaces, raising marginalized voices, and addressing local essential care access. Growing up in a primarily conservative area as an out gay male has presented many struggles related to identity and finding a community throughout childhood and early adult years. The same issues that raised barriers are now a drive to advocate for change. In 2020, Nicholas was awarded an Adaptive Leadership Scholarship at NYU for spearheading inclusive programming in Staten Island, New York. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in Social Work from the College of Staten Island. He has provided direct essential care services to the LGBTQ+ community since 2015 throughout the New York tri-state area. He believes education is a vital tool to achieve real, positive change in professional settings and social networks.