MEET OUR BOARD
Suzette Lopez — President
Born and raised in Santa Maria, Suzette is a proud daughter of Mexican parents who prides herself in being an active community member and an entrepreneur. Having worked for multiple nonprofits, she has a strong desire to see her community thrive and is always dedicating herself to a good cause. She is a DJ & co-founder of an entertainment company with a focus on creating cutltural inclusive events and safe spaces. With her amazing event production skills, DJ abilities and love for service, Suzette has contributed to local political campaigns and community outreach events that support women’s rights, the LGBTQ+ community, the environment, and many other social justice organizations. Suzette’s passion for people and human kindness reflects in the hopes and dreams she has for House of Pride and Equality.
Anais Diaz — Vice President
Born and raised in Santa Maria, Anais is infinitely passionate about community connection and giving back to the community she has called home. Anais comes from proud immigrant monolingual parents who labored in agriculture for many years. She knows the meaning of hard work and the challenges people face to achieve the American Dream. Anais is employed with the Good Samaritan Shelter as their Outreach Coordinator. She works in the trenches locating Veterans throughout the county, connecting them with essential services to get them housed and stabilized. She also works with their Safe House Program, advocating for survivors of Human Trafficking. Anais is passionate about working with the homeless population and giving hope to the hopeless. She reaches those that many do not wish to work with, providing them a listening ear and persistently leaves them knowing someone. Anais is certified through the State Office of AIDS to test for HIV and Hepatitis C, and helped run a Syringe Exchange Program in Santa Maria, Lompoc and Santa Barbara. She is also an advocate for the North County Rape Crisis Center. Along with her older brother, Grace Towers, Anais strives to create a continuous safe space for the LGBTQ+ Latinx community. She is very passionate about creating awareness of the effects of substance abuse in both the POC and LGBTQ+ communities. With 5 years of sobriety she leads by example everyday, using her struggles as a testimony to encourage others. If you are struggling please reach out!
Gina Picard — Treasurer
Gina came to the Central Coast as a young girl, the daughter of an immigrant single working mother. She raised her own daughter here as well and is a long term employee of an agricultural business in Santa Maria. Gina has been active in the local LGBTQ community for years and has seen the community evolve. She would like to see even more social equality here and hopes that someday Santa Maria will have an office or center with services and space for LGBTQ youth and adults. To help achieve her vision, she became a founding member of HOPE / ESPERANZA. When she isn’t working to pay her bills or on social change, she is spending time with her family and friends, camping or hiking.
Eva Didon — Board Member
Eva moved to California from Germany as a young adult. Her passion for social justice led her to a 30 year career in social work. She has been working with low income families, helping them to navigate through the red tape of government services. For the past 5 years, she has specialized in helping persons with disabilities obtain much needed treatment and benefits. She is a founding member of HOPE / ESPERANZA and dedicates much of her free time to this organization. Eva’s wife was active in the original Gay Liberation Front in Los Angeles and now inspires and motivates her to carry on the fight for equality and justice.
