Board of Directors

Eric has been a dedicated volunteer for Safe Schools Desert Cities since 2012, offering DJ services at key events like the Rainbow Youth Summit, Palm Springs Pride Parade & Youth Zone, and the Pride Prom. In 2018, he joined the organization’s Board of Directors and became president in December 2020.

Professionally, Eric is a Communications Specialist at The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California. He also serves on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is an experienced radio producer, hosting the Tuesday and Thursday editions of the Retro Lunch & Brunch program on KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM, in Palm Springs.

Eric and his husband, Cathedral City Council Member Raymond Gregory, have resided in Cathedral City for over twenty years. They have two adult children and one grandson. In 2015, Eric and Raymond received the Safe Schools Desert Cities Champion for Youth Award for their exceptional support and contributions to LGBTQI+ youth.

Tori has worked for the Student Assistance Program at Desert Sands Unified School District for twenty-seven years, helping students be their best authentic selves. Tori is the secretary of the Riverside University Health Systems Behavioral Health Commission, representing Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the 4th District. She also serves as the chair of the RUHS Children’s Mental Health Committee and is on the Regional Board, as well. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Regional Access Project Foundation (RAP) and chairs the Health/Mental Health Initiative Committee. Tori is most proud of her work with LGBTQ+ students dating back to the 1980s.

Coming Soon

Ron is a recognized human rights and diversity champion and currently serves as chairman of the City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission. Ron’s long history of involvement in the LGBTQ+ community includes a primary focus on supporting LGBTQ+ youth and youth-related programs. In addition to running Pride, he also serves as co-president of the United States Association of Pride, and is a member of the board of the Consolidated Association of Pride and InterPride, the international association of Pride organizers.

In 2011, he teamed up with Safe Schools to secure the Palm Springs Art Museum as the venue for the annual LGBT Prom, which now hosts over 400 students. As founding chairman of the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, Ron led the way to adopt youth programs as its beneficiary. Over the last seven years, $124,000 has been raised to directly support area GSA and LGBTQ+ youth-driven activities.

Active in the community, Ron also serves on the City of Palm Springs Police Chief’s LGBT outreach committee, Palm Springs Transgender Day of Remembrance committee, and the Palm Springs Transgender Day of Visibility committee. Ron can also be seen helping to organize the City of Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade, Cathedral City LGBT Days, City of Palm Springs Cesar Chavez Day, and the new Palm Springs Community Leadership Council.

Lisa first became involved with Safe Schools in 2014 while serving as the GSA Advisor for Desert Hot Springs High School in the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD). Lisa currently works as a coordinator in the Student Support Services Department for PSUSD and is completing her twentieth year in education. Throughout her career and in her current role in the school district, Lisa strives to be a strong ally for LGBTQ+ students and advocates for programs and policies that allow all students to thrive. Lisa likes music, hiking, and traveling, and lives in Palm Springs with her dog, Tipsy.

Enrique has been a volunteer with Safe Schools Desert Cities since 2015, and in 2016 he served as the Student Speaker for the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast where he was given the Outstanding Youth Award. Having started off as a student that attended many Safe Schools events, he takes great pride in serving on the board and ensuring that these events and resources continue to enrich and empower the lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth in the Coachella Valley and beyond.